The viewing area allows you to look at the falls from above. This is actually what we did on our third day in the park. I didnt get super far, but I got higher up than I thought I might and had a fantastic time doing it. Encompassing over 70,000 acres, New River Gorge National Park offers visitors an exciting window into West Virginias past and a thrilling adventure on one of Americas most wild and scenic rivers. We wont list those because anyone can find their favorite chain restaurants. Its a little out of the way from the main areas of the park, but its worth the trip as you wind along rivers and encounter lots of scenic overlooks. There are 1400 established rock climbs in the New River Gorge so there's something for everyone. New River Jet Boats. Sandstone Visitor Center is open seven days a week, so you wont need to worry about whether its a weekend or a weekday when you go. Click for Privacy Policy / Disclosure Policy. If you dont mind heights, this is an ideal way to take in the enormity of the bridge and the beauty of the New River (which is difficult to see while driving over the bridge). The outdoor space was exquisite, and they often have popup food trucks serving delicious local fare. Still, I wanted to mention this for the van lifers and small RV owners out there who dont mind camping without amenities. What to do in New River Gorge National Park with little kids and toddlers, including the best hikes, scenic drives, and places to spot wildlife. This was one of our favorite things to do on our New River Gorge National Park road trip, by far. A favorite activity for all ages is the Hawks Nest Jet Boat ride with Captain Rick. Or take a scenic drive along Fayette Station Road will also provide you with stunning views of parts of the river and a view of the New River Gorge Bridge. Canyon Rim Visitor's Center and Bridge Overlook 3.2. New River Gorge National Park: Where to Stay, What to Do, & More Love the New River Gorge. Fair warning: aside from the Bridge Walk, all of the cool adventures mentioned in this post are CLOSED until April 1 regardless of the temps in March. Read on for a three-day itinerary that tells you exactly what to do on your New River Gorge National Park adventure! Okay, so we didnt go whitewater rafting while we were in the park. Shaped by the famous New River Gorge, youll find plenty of riverside activities, outdoor adventures and some of the most extraordinary views. In Grandview State Park, youll find some beautiful hiking trails, but it also makes for a great stopping place to have lunch or let the kids get some energy out at the playground. The tour lasts between 2-3 hours. The picturesque mountains and valleys of the New River Gorge National River provide the perfect stopover habitat for migrating birds. The trail had some muddy spots thanks to the rain, but nothing we couldnt walk around. If youre looking for the absolute best view of the New River Gorge Bridge then Long Point Overlook is the place to go. Super cool to see! Box 246, 104 Main Street As you step outside onto the observation deck, youll be greeted with a breathtaking panorama of the New River Gorge, its rugged cliffs, lush forests, and the meandering River winding through the valley below. The property offers free parking and free Wi-Fi and is even pet-friendly. Explore wide open spaces with plenty of room to roam. Enjoy your fishing expedition while rocking on a dory inflatable raft, jet boat, or kayak. The Upper Gauley River is an extreme rafting ride, not for the inexperienced. Therefore, we highly recommend visiting in the spring, summer, or fall. The water is really warm in the summer. Great article, Becky! New River Gorge National Park (West Virginia) 8K (https://youtu.be/__lLTJmTsp4). Next, we headed down the Tunnel Trail. Youll find hotels scattered throughout the area and the best one will depend on the location of most of your activities. Its beautiful and probably a good option if youre looking to cut back on driving and dont want to add more walking to the day. I hadnt heard that this was being designated a national park! The 7 best amusement park rides in Colorado - The Denver Post The 0.7 miles Headhouse trail is a moderately-graded gravel path leading to the Nuttallburg coal mine site. 11 Outdoor Things to Do in the New River Gorge (WV) - sightDOING It's class III-V rapids, including one waterfall that will leave you drenched. It is worth it. Beware - it's about 800 steps downthen 800 steps back up to the trail. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Why keeping the Colorado River health is a constant struggle I feel badly for West Virginia. Lots of it. We recently had the pleasure of visiting this. Not to mention, the white sand beach is perfect for sunbathing and volleyball. Framed National Parks Map: Were a sucker for maps, this framed national parks map is the best. Once we pulled the pepperoni off, they did like the actual pizza. If you prefer a more mainstream experience, I like the Hampton Inn Beckley and dinner at Campestres. Things To Do - New River Gorge National Park & Preserve (U.S. National 31 Top Things to Do in Colorado - U.S. News Travel This is a truly unique place that is a must-stop. The Lower Gauley River (typically rafted in the fall) is high adventure class III-IV rapids. Peregrine Falcons can be seen doing deep dives in the clear waters, while the ever-elusive Blue-winged Warblers can be spotted perching in the lush rhododendron thickets. Ive done both and have to admit I prefer fall, but thats because Im usually partaking in strenuous physical activities where summer heat is a nuisance. This is a super easy 0.5-mile trail that the kids absolutely adored. There are many special places to visit in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Of course, youll also love the location near dining, shopping, and the national park! Nature works her magic every autumn in West Virginia. With many possibilities for extreme sports as well as a relaxing experience, its no wonder why the New River Gorge is considered to be one of the best national parks in the USA. The cliffs at New River Gorge are made up of a very hard sandstone, and range from 30 to 120 feet in height. There are actually a few options for rafting in this region and all of them are a ton of fun. CANYON RIM: Located at the north end of New River Gorge National Park, this is where you will find New River Gorge Bridge, numerous hiking and biking trails, one very scenic drive (Fayette Station Road), and several historic coal mining sights. Some of the best places to hook your favorite fish are Brooks Falls, Tug Creek Beach, Meadow Creek, and Stone Cliff near Thurmond. Drink it. Surrounded by the natural beauty and clean air of the Allegheny Mountains, the Greenbrier Va, Traveling West Virginias iconic country roads during the fall is an experience you cant find anywhere else. Everything's more exciting in the dark! Check out the mining buildings and equipments, plus track remnants. For example, try the Flathead National Forest next to Glacier National Park, the Bridger-Teton next to Grand Teton, and the Dixie which borders nearly all of the Utah National Parks. This area was an excellent starting place, and I definitely recommend you do the same. Staying near Americas newest national park, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, has never been so easy! Long Point Trail and Overlook 4. Restrooms with showers are available, as is a clubhouse. Mountain Biking on the Arrowhead Trails, Top 10 Best Things to Do at New River Gorge National Park, 9. You are also surrounded by great places to eat, and the drive to the park is a short and easy one. Cans and growlers are available if youd like to take some beer to go. Brand new to the sport? You'll get a few thrills plus lots of chances to jump into natural pools and go for a swim. The Kaymoor Miners trail is ideal for more advanced hikers as the first half has steep declines on uneven terrain, while the second half takes you down 821 steps to reach the abandoned town. Grandview is another main hub at New River Gorge National Park complete with its own hiking trails, scenic overlooks, visitor center, childrens playground, and even a baseball diamond! This is New River Gorge. With all the rivers in the mountain regions surrounding the New River Gorge National Park, its only natural that youll find some spectacular waterfalls. You can rent inner tubes and head out lazy river style, go in a guided raft (to enjoy the scenery and search for bald eagles), or grab an inflatable "ducky" kayak to paddle yourself. Remember, its a long river! No spam. P.O. If you only have one day in New River Gorge National Park, this is a great place to spend your time. We set out to create a stunning film on the absolute best things to do in New River Gorge National Park and along the way learned a great deal that were sharing here. Here youll find the fully intact tipple and coal conveyor, along with ruins of the old general store and coke ovens, and other buildings. Looking for something for a bigger RV? Here youll find world class whitewater rafting, hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking. This past year my team spent a few weeks trying out all of the incredible things to do in New River Gorge National Park to create a short film as part of a partnership with West Virginia Tourism. Less than three hours outside Roanoke, this stretch of West Virginia is unlike anything youve ever seen before. Unfortunately, it was by horse and carriage and took a lot longer than the several seconds it now takes to get across the New River Gorge Bridge. New River Gorge carves a breathtaking swatch through the Appalachian mountainsthe longest and deepest in the rangewith all kinds of undisturbed wildlife. Weve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, USDA, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues. But dont linger too long plenty more adventures are waiting for you in the park! 5 Things to Do New River Gorge National Park - FAMILYTRAVELSUSA You can also find cozy cabins, a ziplining course, whitewater rafting, fine dining and more, at ACE. 26 West Virginia United States of America North America Place 26 comments Thurmond is a cool place to check out, it's a ghost town. Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of Americas national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation. The beer garden has a huge variety of local and national craft beers, ciders, and hard kombucha. With so many things to do in the New River Gorge National Park, theres no time like the present to start planning your road trip. porta-potties instead. The Outpost at New River Gorgemight just be your spot! Clutha River Cruises | Activity in Central Otago, New Zealand In addition to pretty views and cool rocks, we also saw a few animals along this trail, including deer and salamanders, so keep your eyes peeled. But dont worry if youre afraid of heights because theres still a way to experience this incredible bridge walk. If youre a leisure hiker, set aside about one and a half hours to truly take in all the beauty and great views of the New River racing 1000 feet below. What makes this part of West Virginia special (and why I like it so much) is that theres an endless supply of sightDOING. They had an array of beer styles to suit anyones preference and offered a cider or two as well for the non-beer drinkers. 7 hours 45 minutes. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The Fayette Station Road offers a scenic drive into the belly of the Gorge to where the original river crossing was located. The Upper New River is a calm section of river with a few mild waves. View the mining sites of Doctors and Butchers Points and enjoy the spectacular schist scenery that only Central Otago has to offer. Our explorations began in the Canyon Rim Area. If you check the website, you might even be able to catch a local band while you eat. There are 178 stairs that descend down to the final overlook on this boardwalk so if mobility is an issue for you I recommend stopping at the first overlook which requires no stair climbing. Stop by the Hawks Nest nature center and get hands with animal tracks. If you are a beginner or pro rock climber, youll be thrilled to know that rock climbing is highly recommended as one of the favorite things to do in new river gorge national park. With ample rock-climbi, This post was last updated on May 25, 2023, Copyright 2023 West Virginia Department of Tourism. Defined by its rivers and lush forests, this region in southern West Virginia has some of the most spectacular outdoor recreation. Blooming rhododendrons. New River Gorge National Park - Earth Trekkers The New River Gorge is also home to other animals, such as raccoons, groundhogs, white-tailed deer, squirrels, chipmunks, beavers, and minks. We loved that there was a small playground out back for the kids to use while we waited for our table, which took about 30 minutes. The newest National Park in the United States is truly a special place to visit for families! Ready to experience New River Gorge National Park and Preserve for yourself? We didnt actually do the boardwalk. Here there are truly endless recreation opportunities. The Glade Creek and the Canyon Falls Swimming Pool are refreshing places to spend your day. 900 Broadway Ave 4 miles south of the New River Gorge Bridge, Oak Hill, WV 25901-2315. These routes offer spectacular views of the sandstone walls and the River below. The spring-fed mountain lake water park features water slides, large inflatable toys, a zipline and the high-flying water toy known as the BLOB. Mountain ridges and rolli, Exploring the West Virginia Waterfall Trail Prefer the comforts offered by a traditional hotel?
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