New River Gorge: America’s Newest National Park
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On a recent move from Pittsburgh to Tampa, we stopped in West Virginia for a night to check out the newest national park, New River Gorge. We thought it would be a cool place to check off our bucket list since we were passing through the area. We have been attempting to visit all the different parks; we even have this cute magnet board where you can keep tracks of which ones you need to visit.
America’s First National Park, Yellowstone, opened back in 1872. Today, a total of 63 national parks (and 424 total National Park Sites) can be enjoyed. This new beauty just opened in 2020. This is a gorgeous park located within the beautiful Appalachian mountain range. I would any nature lovers, hikers, and photographers to check this one off your bucket list. Even better, it is one of just a dozen or so parks with no admission fee (you can check out my guide to some other wonderful parks that will cost you nothing).
Yes, there is no fee to hike or park at this natural gem! I haven’t really explored much in this state yet, but it sure is a gorgeous place to drive through. Visiting was a great opportunity to stretch our legs, and I really enjoyed the lush greenery and beautiful hiking trails. We didn’t want to hike too much and exhaust ourselves during our lengthy move. That being said, we definitely want to come back and explore more.
A bit of park history
New River runs through the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia and then joins the Gauley River to form the Kanawha River in Gauley, WV. Popular destinations within the gorge include the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina (I hiked so many fabulous waterfall trails while living in Asheville) and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Congress established this park in 1978, although it did not become a national park until 2020. Today, 53 miles of this river and 40 miles of tributaries are protected. Despite the river’s name, it is considered to be one of the oldest rivers in the world. Estimates place the river at an age of 65+ million years!
Read more about the park’s history
Hiking & biking, & outdoor adventure
If you have the time and fitness ability, the best way to explore the park is via a hike or bike ride. Even if you are just traveling through the area, it is worth a quick stop to hike a short trail or enjoy the tremendous mountain scenery via Grandview overlook.
There are actvitiies for both active types as well as those who would rather not work up a sweat and just enjoy the mountain scenery. We enjoyed a bit of sightseeing and hiking, although I would like to come back and explore more as our time was a bit limited. More hiking, as well as a kayak or whitewater tour are on our bucket list for next time.
Other relaxing activities include: camping, fishing, and scenic drives. More adventurous activities include: rock climbing, kayaking, and stand up paddleboarding. So, basically you could spend a lot of time here if you are love the outdoors. I would say this is a wonderful summer vacation destination for nature lovers.
Trails vary from a quarter of a mile to 7, so you have numerous choices here. Grandview Visitor Center is the best place to plan your adventures as 6 miles of trails are available. Plus, you can enjoy the mesmerizing overlook.
The 1.6 mile Rim Trail is a breathtaking moderate choice offering fantastic views of the river and gorge. The Tunnel Trail (a short half mile trek) is pretty cool as it features various tunnels and interesting rock formations.
Check out a few pics from our short, but beautiful hiking adventure along these 2 trails. The scenery was really incredible during our late spring visit. The forest was so fresh and green – I really wanted to continue hiking longer, but our time was so short due to it being a quick move stop.
According to the NPS, this forest is home to the most diverse flora and fauna of any southern Appalachian river gorge. The Appalachians are amongst the most ecologically diverse forests in the country. This park is home to many diverse habitats including mature bottomland forests, wetlands, cliff and rimrock habitats, and unfragmented forests. Lots of unique animals call the area home including groundhogs, white tailed deer, bears, foxes, and river otters. You can learn more at the visitor center.
Great views for non-hikers too!
For anyone looking to keep the exercise to a minimum, there are a number of beautiful overlooks where you can gaze out upon the mountains.
The main overlook is called Grandview and what a grand view it is! The elevation is around 1400 ft so as you can imagine the views are pretty out-of-this-world! We were lucky enough to visit on a quiet spring day and have the view completely to ourselves!
In addition to enjoying a crowd-free experience, you may also get to see the Catawba rhododendrons in bloom this time of year. On a historical note, you can see the town of town of Quinnimont from this overlook. This town’s claim to fame is being the first to ship coal on the C & O Railroad.
Other activities for non active types to enjoy include: picnicking, and learning more at the visitor’s center (open June-August, Noon to 5pm). Special events include ranger talks and summer theater productions.
A whitewater rafting hotspot
Whitewater rafting on the river is a very popular summer pastime. The southern portion of the river is home to more tame Class I-III rapids, which are ideal for anyone new to rafting or seeking a tamer family-friendly adventure. The northern part of the river, known as “the Lower Gorge,” is home to Class III to V rapids. These are considered much more challenging and even dangerous, specially without expert guidance.
Many licensed guides offer trips. I recommend leaving the maneuvering to the experts. although you can run the river on your own if you are experienced. Trips vary from easy float trips, to intense all day adventures. Multi day trips also available. The season typically runs from April-October. It’s best to book in advance to ensure a spot.
I would love to plan a rafting trip in the future. A few years ago, I took a whitewater trip on the Ocoee River in Tennessee (Class III and IV) and really enjoyed the thrilling experience. The scenery is so beautiful in this portion of West Virginia, so I imagine the rafting is amazing!
Update: More to do in West Virginia
Recently, Mike and I planned a vacation to beautiful Snowshoe, another great destination for fitness buffs and nature lovers. This small, high altitude ski town is located in the Allegheny Mountains. Skiing aside, it’s a great place to enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and chairlift rides in the summer and fall.
There’s lots of lodging and dining options and it is much more affordable outside of the prime ski season. I recommend a vacation or even a daytrip from the national park if you have the time (it’s about a 2 hour drive).
