New River Gorge in West Virginia was only recently designated a national park. As a new park, you might expect it to still be developing and finding its identity as a park, and to be sure, there’s still some growing the area is sure to do.
But New River Gorge was always well equipped with things to do, and only a few years after it became a park, you’ll now find endless fun things to do in New River Gorge National Park. Whether you’re into hiking, adventure activities, or historical sightseeing, it’s all here.
You’re sure to find at least one of these 18 things to do in New River Gorge perfect for your kind of adventure.
18 of the Best Things to Do in New River Gorge
1. Take a Scenic Drive
New River Gorge is set among the mountains of West Virginia, and you know what that means? It’s perfect for a road trip. During your time in the gorge, you’ll spend some time navigating from destination to destination, but be sure to set aside some time to go wherever the road leads you.
There are a few great scenic drives, including the 3-hour New River Gorge Scenic Drive, encircling all areas of the park. But if you’re looking for something a little shorter, then driving Fayette Station Road packs a punch.
It used to be that this was the only road across the gorge before the New River Gorge Bridge was built. But now the Fayette Station Road scenic drive is a great way to see the gorge, the bridge, and many of the best views all in one route.
2. Watch a Sunset in the Gorge
Sunset in New River Gorge is spectacular, so don’t put it on your itinerary as an afterthought, just in case you have enough energy at the end of the day to stay out for sunset.
Nope, experiencing this is a must, and there are plenty of spots for it. Sit back and enjoy the views from the rim of the gorge, watching the golden rays disappear over the ridge. Some of the best spots for sunset in the gorge are on the park’s most iconic hikes, and anywhere that you can see the bridge.
So that’s why taking a hike is next up on the list!
3. Hike the Long Point or Endless Wall Trails
New River Gorge is a hiker’s destination, with plenty of easy and challenging hikes for all levels.
Endless Wall Trail may be the most popular hike in New River Gorge. It’s a 2.4-mile trail, with trailheads at both ends. A great way to hike it is to pick one of the trailheads, hike out to about the halfway point where the best views on the trail are found, and then return to the parking area.
The trail is named for the views it provides of the endless wall of rock that extends around the rim of the gorge. It’s a popular spot for rock climbers who enjoy descending the cliffs. But for most, it’s a captivating view with an easy-to-moderate hike out and back.
Second only to Endless Wall, Long Point Trail is another hike you’ll hear nearly everyone recommend. While it will be popular, it’s well worth it. This hike will take you out to the most panoramic view of the New River Gorge bridge.
It’s a beautiful bridge, and standing on Long Point you’ll get to admire it surrounded by the beauty of nature all around.
4. Zipline Through the Treetops
New River Gorge has quite a reputation as an adventure destination. While you’re here in the park you’ve got to experience at least one activity that gets your heart racing. Ziplining in New River Gorge is one of those bucket list activities to check off while you’re here.
There are several places to zipline in New River Gorge, including several adventure retreats with their own courses set up to give you a tour of the treetops, along with amazing views of the gorge and scenery down below.
It’s not just one zipline and you’re done. These groups will take you through several zips, bridges, and platforms to complete an entire course. Even if you’ve never ziplined before, they’ll teach you everything you need to know to be equipped for the adventure.
5. Explore the Trails at Grandview
The entirety of New River Gorge National Park stretches 53 miles down the gorge, preserving so many acres of West Virginia wilderness. So while you may hear most often about the popular trails mentioned above, there are whole other areas of the park most people leave unexplored!
The Grandview area of the park is further south from the main visitor areas but is still home to its own visitor center and trail network. The major draw for this area is the grand view – a viewpoint overlooking the gorge and the river below.
Castle Rock, Tunnel Trail, and the Grandview Rim Trail all start from the overlook area, and they each offer unique features of New River Gorge.
6. Walk the New River Gorge Bridge Walk
You can’t go far in New River Gorge National Park without seeing or hearing about the bridge. This incredible feat of architecture is the longest single-span bridge in the US, at over 3,000 feet long.
But one of the coolest things about it is that you can walk under the bridge. There is a catwalk in the rafters of the bridge where a walkway takes you all the way across. And New River Gorge Bridge Walk leads group tours across this walk.
Seriously one of the most unique things to do in New River Gorge, it’s an activity not to be missed. With views as far as the eye can see down the gorge and above the river, walking the New River Gorge bridge catwalk is something most visitors talk about as the highlight of their trip.
7. Discover a Historic Mine Operation
Something you may not know about New River Gorge is that there is a lot of history here. The New River Gorge was once home to several booming coal mines. The mine sites were all named after the companies that ran them, and nowadays when you visit New River Gorge, you’ll come across traces of these operations.
Hiking to or stopping in at these mine sites can be a fascinating peek at history. The Kaymoor and Kaymoor Miners Trails take hikers down into the gorge to the entrance of the coal mine.
Relics of the coal mining days, such as a safety board displaying a way to track accidents at the mine are what remain today. These trails are pretty steep to get you to the base of the mine, so these hikes are considered some of the more strenuous in the park.
8. Seek Out the Best Views
Ultimately, the best thing to do in New River Gorge is to show off the gorge. Its beautiful views are what bring people here and you can find them all over the park. In many places along the backroads of West Virginia, you’ll find overlooks that open up to stunning views of the gorge and the forest covering it.
We’ve already discussed views at Long Point and Grandview, but some other overlooks to visit are the Turkey Spur Overlook and Concho Rim Overlook. These are great places to find on a scenic drive between the main areas of New River Gorge National Park.
Simply standing at the overlooks and looking out will give you an appreciation for why this place became a national park.
9. Go Whitewater Rafting
A whitewater rafting destination, New River Gorge is home to multiple rivers with both the Gauley and New Rivers making their way through the area. These are big, powerful, whitewater locations that will give an adventure to anyone who is up for the ride.
You can choose from a variety of levels of rapids, with areas suitable for beginners, and even families who want to bring the kids on a water adventure. But for those serious whitewater enthusiasts, the Gauley River is known as a world-class destination, especially in the fall when the dam is released, bringing swift waters across the technical rapids.
10. Try Out Rock Climbing and Rappelling
Another technical adventure in New River Gorge is rock climbing and rappelling. Both rock climbing and rappelling involve navigating the cliff rock faces and either climbing or descending using rope and other equipment.
Don’t worry, there are experienced guides who will help point you to the right spots and keep you enjoying yourself on a guided tour.
And New River Gorge is a great spot for rock climbing. Just think about that endless wall of rock face that surrounds the canyon rim. The climbing community is strong here and has set up many routes with ladders and anchors to clip into.
One of the best places to rock climb in New River Gorge is at Bridge Buttress, a huge rough rock face perfect for climbing straight up. Wherever you end up, going with an outfitter will help you find a route and test your climbing limits.
11. Seek Out Waterfalls
If you look for them, there are waterfalls in New River Gorge National Park. In fact, the state of West Virginia has set up a West Virginia waterfall trail, allowing you to check off the falls you visit on a road trip through West Virginia.
A few of them are located in or near New River Gorge. While New River Gorge isn’t primarily a waterfall destination, with that much water running through the valley, you can certainly find some streams and creeks giving homes to magnificent waterfalls.
Sandstone Falls is the largest of them all, right on the river, with rocky areas bringing many short falls all together in one place. It is easily accessible with a short path on a boardwalk taking you to see the waterfall.
Another fun one to see is Cathedral Falls which is a roadside falls, easy to jump out and see on a drive to or from New River Gorge. And if you drive Fayette Station Road, Wolf Creek Falls is located a short walk from the Kaymoor Trailhead along the drive.
Plenty of waterfalls in New River Gorge if you’re a waterfall seeker!
12. Visit Canyon Rim and the Visitor Center
Canyon Rim Visitor Center is the main visitor center of New River Gorge and is one of two visitor centers that remain open year-round. As it might sound, this visitor center is located right on the rim of the canyon, making it a great spot to stop for views of the gorge.
And bonus – this is where you can get up close views overlooking the New River Gorge bridge. A short walk to a boardwalk behind the visitor center will take you to the Upper Viewpoint, and a few stairs will take you down to the Lower View. Both feel like you can almost reach out and touch the bridge, with great views through the trees.
Plus inside the visitor center is nearly as beautiful, and there are a few exhibits to allow you to learn about the gorge and its history.
13. Check out Babcock State Park
There’s so much wild and wonderful West Virginia to go around that there are several great state parks near New River Gorge. More hiking, outdoor activities, and great things to do are all located within the nearby Babcock State Park.
The biggest draw of Babcock State Park is the Glade Creek Grist Mill, a massive stone and wooden structure set in a serene nature setting. It makes a beautiful scene and visitors travel from all over just to experience and photograph the mill.
However, don’t just sweep in and out and only see a fraction of what the state park has to offer. Spend a few nights in a campground or cabin to hike and enjoy Babcock.
14. Ride the Mountain Bike Trails
Bring your bikes or rent some to ride through the backroads and mountain bike trails of New River Gorge. There’s a great network of trails, and biking is encouraged for enthusiasts to enjoy more of West Virginia’s wilderness.
The trails of New River Gorge are of such great quality that they are occasionally hosts to mountain biking events and races. But there are trails for the whole family, beginners, and endurance racers. Even if you want just to get a taste of biking in the mountains, New River Gorge could be a great day trip.
15. Fish on the New River
For sure, there’s something for everyone in New River Gorge. Fishing is a popular activity in and around the New River. For many, nothing sounds better than a weekend fishing in the mountains.
Get the proper fishing license and get out there on the water to see what variety of trout, bass, musky, and more you can catch. There are always memories to be made on a fishing trip with friends.
16. Stroll Around Downtown Fayetteville
While New River Gorge is themed around getting outdoors, that doesn’t mean there isn’t something to be discovered off the trails. Best of all, the small towns of New River Gorge stay true to the backwoods feel of this national park.
Fayetteville, West Virginia is the unofficial home base of New River Gorge National Park. One of the best places to stay in New River Gorge, it’s also a great place to enjoy the local flair. Home to many charming restaurants, it has a historical charm you won’t find in many of the more commercialized national parks.
Antique and vintage shops and small boutique businesses are scattered down the main street. After enjoying lunch in Fayetteville, spend an afternoon ducking in and out of the door frames to see what’s inside.
17. Walk the Abandoned Thurmond District
Since the New River Gorge was a hub of coal, the railroad was also huge in the gorge in the early 1900s. Wherever a train depot was built became a bustling area of activity. After the industry changed, and coal-powered locomotives were no longer the primary means of transportation, the railroads moved out, leaving towns like Thurmond frozen in time.
The National Park Service has restored the depot and several historical structures making this a great place to see what life would have been like during the success of small-town West Virginia.
Take a self-guided walking tour of the Thurmond Historic District and see empty buildings and what remains of the coal loading operations.
18. Take a Ghost Tour
Speaking of abandoned coal mining towns, the sudden vacating of the mines has given New River Gorge tourists another unique thing to do – take a ghost tour. If you’re interested you can take a private guided tour starting at the local visitor center to hear the scary ghost stories of Fayetteville and the surrounding area.
You’ll hear stories and folklore of the New River Gorge, led by an in-costume guide to leave you a little chilled hearing the historical happenings in these small towns.
Bet you didn’t think ghost stories and outdoor recreation would be found side by side at one of the most intriguing national parks. There’s certainly something for everyone in New River Gorge, and you can experience all of it for yourself.
FAQs – The Best Things to Do In New River Gorge
How long should you spend at New River Gorge National Park?
Though there are so many things to do in New River Gorge, even a short weekend trip can be enough to get a good taste of the park and what you might want to come back to see. Few of the activities in New River Gorge will take more than half a day, so two or three days can allow you to see all the things that interest you in the park.
But if you are a true adventure junkie or want to take your time exploring the backroads of West Virginia, you could extend this road trip a few more days to take in more of the gorge and the surrounding area.
Are there free things to do in New River Gorge?
Yes! Spending time outdoors is a completely free activity, and one of the best things about New River Gorge is that there are no entrance fees. You don’t need to buy a park pass to get into New River Gorge National Park and you can spend hours exploring the trails, towns, and drives nearby.
Hiking is one of the best free things to do in New River Gorge National Park, and though this guide only mentioned the top handful of trails, there are dozens more to explore when hiking New River Gorge.
Whether you’re waterfall hunting or watching the sunset, New River Gorge couldn’t be a better destination for the budget traveler.
Is New River Gorge National Park worth it?
Spend any time in New River Gorge and you’ll wonder why it didn’t become a national park before 2020. There are so many hidden gems and thrilling adventure activities in New River Gorge National Park it’s worth a visit. And without a doubt, you’ll leave wanting to come back.
Enjoy The Best Things to Do in New River Gorge National Park
Taking a road trip to New River Gorge National Park gives endless possibilities for what to explore. Climbing, mountain biking, and rafting will satisfy the adventurous traveler. A cabin stay in a nearby state park while hiking some of the state’s best trails brings balance for a more relaxing stay. Or a scenic drive to the abandoned coal towns gives historic vibes for the more thoughtful traveler.
Whatever you’re looking for, give New River Gorge a chance, and you’ll find some of the best things to do in this newer National Park.
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