At a glance
A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities.
Things to do: Arts and Culture · Theater · Auto and ATV · Scenic Driving · Astronomy · Biking · Mountain Biking · Road Biking · Boating · Camping · Backcountry Camping · Canoe or Kayak Camping · Car or Front Country Camping · Group Camping
ParkAtlas, maintained by Stellaroos, combines its park and trail dataset with public information from the National Park Service. NPS data snapshot retrieved . Fees, access, and conditions can change; verify current details with NPS before traveling.
Trails
New River Gorge has roughly 112 named trails. Log the one you hiked in the app — or just the park if you're not sure.
Camping
Approximately 100 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reservations are strongly recommended in peak season (April – October).
Best time to visit
Peak season: April – October. The park is open year-round, though some roads and facilities close or run reduced hours in winter.
Weather in the Appalachian Mountains can be unpredictable and can change quickly. Always be prepared for the possibility of sudden storms. Weather in the mountains is often cooler and wetter than the surrounding area. On average, the warmest month is July. The maximum average precipitation also occurs in July.
Pack for New River Gorge
Four things worth having for forest trails and afternoon showers. From the full gear list; links support ParkAtlas.
Black Diamond daypack
Room for water, layers, snacks, and a first aid kit — nothing more.
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Marmot PreCip rain shell
Afternoon thunderstorms are a feature of the mountain West, not a bug.
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Salomon Speedcross trail runners
Grippy on slickrock and mud, light enough to forget about. I hike in these more than boots.
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EVERLIT mini first aid kit
Blister care and tweezers get used more than anything else.
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Entrance fees
Entry is Free.
Getting there
Nearest city: Charleston, WV. Park center: 37.870°, -81.080°.
To reach Park Headquarters take Route 19 North from Beckley to the Glen Jean exit. Upon exiting Rt 19, make an immediate left turn. At the next intersection, turn right. Park Headquarters will be straight ahead on the right. 92775N PLEASE NOTE: Third party search and map apps may direct you to an potentially inaccessible area of the park with no amenities or rangers stations.
Please refer to the Visitor Center or Park Headquarters addresses for directions.
Coming from a big city? See every park near Asheville or Charlotte.
Common questions
How much does it cost to visit New River Gorge National Park?
Entry is Free. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.
When is the best time to visit New River Gorge?
Peak season is April – October. The park is open year-round, with some roads and facilities on reduced winter schedules. Weather in the Appalachian Mountains can be unpredictable and can change quickly. Always be prepared for the possibility of sudden storms. Weather in the mountains is often cooler and wetter than the surrounding area. On average, the warmest month is July. The maximum average precipitation also occurs in July.
Can you camp in New River Gorge National Park?
Yes — about 100 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reserve ahead in peak season.
What is the closest city to New River Gorge National Park?
Charleston, WV is the nearest major city. To reach Park Headquarters take Route 19 North from Beckley to the Glen Jean exit. Upon exiting Rt 19, make an immediate left turn. At the next intersection, turn right. Park Headquarters will be straight ahead on the right. 92775N PLEASE NOTE: Third party search and map apps may direct you to an potentially inaccessible area of the park with no amenities or rangers stations.
Plan your trip
The practical bits, so more of the weekend goes to the trail.