New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Whitewater Rafting and Cliffside Trails

The eastern U.S. is not especially rich in National Parks. Out of the 63 U.S. National Parks currently established, less than a third are east of the Mississippi River, and many eastern states have none. So East Coast-adjacent outdoor enthusiasts had cause for celebration in 2020, when West Virginia’s New River Gorge National River was redesignated as a national park. Home to one of North America’s oldest rivers, it’s a hub for whitewater rafting enthusiasts, but that isn’t all that New River Gorge has to offer. For those who can’t make the trek out west, here’s why New River Gorge National Park is worth visiting.

About New River Gorge National Park

Don’t take the name of this park at face value. That’s likely the first lesson you’ll learn at New River Gorge National Park, as it is a biodiverse Appalachian playground centered on a scenic stretch of one of the world’s oldest rivers. Much like the Appalachian Mountains themselves, this river is ancient, with an estimated age of up to 360 million years. The park’s namesake gorge drops off 1,000 feet from the top to the riverbed in places, and its ancient cliffs have attracted miners with prolific coal seams over the past several centuries. Cut over eons by the flow of the New River, the gorge offers whitewater rafting beneath an iconic steel arch - but we’ll get to that in a second.

Sheer dropoffs, biodiverse forests, and the centerpiece of the New River define the landscape of this new National Park. After being designated a National River in 1978, the park underwent an upgrade in 2020 and remains the newest park to be designated. It’s also one of the few parks representing the hugely biodiverse Appalachian region, located in the mountainous heart of West Virginia near the Virginia border.

Thus, it’s not surprising that this is a pretty remote park. You’ll find your nearest big-city connections via Charlotte, North Carolina, or Columbus, Ohio, each about three and a half hours by car in opposite directions. Many visitors also fly into the local airport in the state capital of Charleston, an hour away by car. But without the name recognition of major western parks, New River Gorge remains a regional hub rather than a nationwide one, and a place most visitors will reach by road tripping.

Found Nowhere Else: Must-See Sights at New River Gorge

The title of this post promises an iconic steel arch, and if you’ve been wondering amidst all this geography where that might come into play, here’s where you get those answers. While the New River Gorge is remarkable for its biodiversity and geology, it’s most famous for two things: one that we’ll get to in a second, and the other being a steel arch bridge that was once the world’s longest.

The New River Gorge Bridge, completed in 1977, was a long-awaited shortcut along what was otherwise a winding mountain road to cross the river. At 3,030 feet long and 876 feet high, it’s one of the longest and tallest such bridges in North America. And rather than ruining the natural scenery, it adds to it: its graceful arch shape has made it one of the most photographed spots in West Virginia. It’s so beloved that it was chosen as the image on the West Virginia state commemorative quarter.

New River Gorge’s other iconic draw is its whitewater rafting. If you enjoy rafting or have always wanted to try it, this is a very unique feature of New River Gorge that more than justifies a visit. It’s been hailed as one of North America’s top rafting destinations. The New River has rapids for every skill level and plenty of tour operators to take you out on the river - but we’ll talk a bit more about those logistics towards the end of this article, so hang tight. What you need to know is that this river is known for its picture-perfect rafting conditions and offers a whitewater experience you won’t find in any other national park.

Things To Do At New River Gorge National Park

New River Gorge National Park is no slouch in its activity offerings, and you’ll find all the usuals here: hiking, camping, scenic drives, fishing, and even hunting. However, we want to start with something a bit more niche, as the New River Gorge has recently gained favor with a particular group of outdoor enthusiasts: rock climbers.

With over 60 miles of established rock-climbing trails, the gorge’s steep sandstone walls have drawn climbers from far and wide since the park’s establishment. Most routes are suitable only for experienced climbers, so it’s not a great place to wet your feet, but longtime hobbyists have put New River Gorge on the map with their praise for its many challenging climbs. So if you happen to have some climbing experience under your belt, that’s all the more reason to visit this park.

For those without the desire or skill to scramble up sheer sandstone cliffs, more conventional activities abound. Eight campgrounds are available, all free and run on a first-come, first-served basis, but note that facilities are extremely limited. New River Gorge National Park is home to numerous great fishing spots, boasting year-round warm waters and healthy, biodiverse fish populations. Driving Fayette Station Road will give you a glimpse of the scenic route visitors had to take to cross the river before the New River Gorge Bridge was completed, and hikers can make the same trek on foot via the Fayetteville Trail.

If you’re not looking for a hike quite that involved, you have an abundance of shorter options as well. Long Point Trail earns a moderate difficulty rating, at 3.2 miles, and offers views of the gorge from above. The Bridge Trail, though strenuous at points, is only .86 miles and will take you directly beneath the New River Gorge Bridge. And if you’d rather take the scenic route on wheels, you can bike Long Point Trail as well.

But the real star of the show here is whitewater rafting, and if you’re interested in trying it out, you’ll have plenty of choices. Tour operators abound, as do packages: you can choose between full-day trips that cover the entire river, or half-day outings that opt for either the Upper or Lower New River sections. Note that the Lower New River is reported to be a bit more intense, with slightly higher difficulty ratings. While you’ll definitely need to book a tour to raft, the variety of options will make sure you find the adventure you’re looking for.

A Natural Playground

New River Gorge National Park flies under the radar because it’s new, remote, and lacks nationwide name recognition. But if a diverse array of outdoor activities is what you’re after, add it to your list. Few parks offer so many ways to enjoy the outdoors, so whether you’re hoping to lace up your hiking boots or get out on the water in a raft, it’s worth the trek.