Southern West Virginia # Your guide to New River Gorge, West Virginia’s national park New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects 53 miles of the New River and over 70,000 acres of steep, forested gorge. It is known for its arched steel bridge, sandstone cliffs, whitewater rafting and old coal-mining towns. Entry is free. Use the sections below to choose a place to stay, pick your hikes, and plan one, two or three days. **Plan and book:** [Find a cabin](https://expedia.com/affiliate/ctC2sL5) (affiliate link) · [Book a tour](https://www.viator.com/Fayetteville/d25666?pid=P00328788&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=nrg-plan-book-tours) (affiliate link) · [Rafting trips](https://www.viator.com/West-Virginia-tours/White-Water-Rafting/d22230-g17-c27534?pid=P00328788&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=nrg-plan-book-rafting) (affiliate link) · [Gear checklist](https://newrivergorgeescape.com/#pack) Booking buttons are affiliate links: if you book or shop through one, this guide may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.  The bridge from the Long Point overlook in early fall. Photo: NPS / Dave Bieri, public domain, via [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_overlook_at_the_end_of_the_Long_Point_Trail_provides_one_of_the_best_views_of_the_New_River_Gorge_Bridge._(757ca940-cc97-4b58-95f7-18daabae3831).JPG) · resized. ## Where should I stay near New River Gorge? You can stay in a cabin or rental around Fayetteville and Lansing near the bridge, at an outfitter resort that bundles lodging with rafting, at a West Virginia state park nearby, or in one of the park’s free primitive campgrounds. - **Cabins and vacation rentals:** Private cabins and houses spread through the countryside around Fayetteville and Lansing, close to the bridge and the north-end trails. - **Outfitter resorts:** Rafting companies, called outfitters because they supply the boats, gear and guides, also rent lodging. ACE Adventure Resort and Adventures on the Gorge offer cabins, vacation homes and campsites, handy if your trip centers on the river. - **State park lodge and cabins:** The Lodge at Hawks Nest State Park has rooms with gorge views. Babcock State Park, 20 miles southeast of the bridge, offers cabins and a campground open spring through fall. - **Free park campgrounds:** The national park runs eight primitive campgrounds: basic sites with no running water. They are free and first-come, first-served, with no drinking water and no hookups (the electric, water and sewer connections RVs use). See the [camping question](https://newrivergorgeescape.com/#faq-camping) below. - Book early if your dates fall on Bridge Day weekend in October, which the local visitors bureau calls West Virginia’s largest festival. - The bridge and Sandstone Falls sit at opposite ends of the park. The park’s scenic loop drive is 83 miles and takes about three hours, so choose a base near what you most want to see. To compare current prices and availability for your dates: [See cabins and prices](https://expedia.com/affiliate/ctC2sL5) (affiliate link) Booking buttons are affiliate links: if you book or shop through one, this guide may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. For a deeper look by type of stay, read [Where to stay near New River Gorge](https://newrivergorgeescape.com/blog/where-to-stay-near-new-river-gorge/). ## What are the best hikes at New River Gorge? Five hikes cover the essentials: Long Point, the Endless Wall Trail, the Grandview Rim Trail, the Sandstone Falls Boardwalk and the Kaymoor Miners Trail. Between them you get the classic bridge view, cliff-edge overlooks, a riverside waterfall and a coal-mine ruin. A rim trail runs along the top edge of the gorge, so most of the walking is fairly level and the views open out at overlooks. Trails that drop into the gorge are steeper, and every step down is a step you climb back up. ### Long Point Trail - **Start:** Long Point trailhead on Newton Road, off Gatewood Road south of Fayetteville - **Distance:** 1.6 miles each way (3.2 miles there and back) - **Difficulty:** Moderate one steep stretch near the end - **Bikes:** Allowed, except the last 0.2 miles Ends on a rock outcrop with a panoramic view of the gorge and the New River Gorge Bridge. Know before you go The point has unprotected cliff edges. Keep children close. ### Endless Wall Trail - **Start:** Fern Creek Trailhead on Lansing-Edmond Road, or the Nuttall Trailhead at the far end - **Distance:** 2.4 miles one way. A popular 2-mile there-and-back turns around at Diamond Point. - **Difficulty:** Easy to moderate about 427 feet of total climbing - **Use:** Hikers only Follows the cliff tops with the river almost 1,000 feet below. You may hear rafters on the rapids. Know before you go The Fern Creek lot is small and fills fast. Don’t park on the road, where cars can be towed. Use the Nuttall Trailhead about half a mile farther on. ### Grandview Rim Trail - **Start:** Main Overlook at Grandview - **Distance:** 1.6 miles each way to Turkey Spur (3.2 miles there and back) - **Difficulty:** Moderate several small steep hills near Turkey Spur - **Visitor center:** Seasonal, generally Memorial Day to Labor Day The Main Overlook sits about 1,400 feet above the river, with up to seven miles of the New River in view on a clear day. Know before you go The 0.6-mile Castle Rock Trail near the Main Overlook is rated strenuous. The park does not recommend it for young children because of uneven footing and steep drop-offs. Rhododendrons usually bloom in mid-May (purple Catawba) and July (white great rhododendron), though timing varies. ### Sandstone Falls Boardwalk - **Start:** Sandstone Falls parking area, south end of the park - **Distance:** About a quarter mile - **Difficulty:** Easy flat boardwalk suited to most mobility aids, including wheelchairs - **Facilities:** Vault toilet (a toilet without running water) at the parking area  Sandstone Falls on the New River. Photo: NPS (Harpers Ferry Center), public domain, via the [NPS photo gallery](https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/91003640553a44ce915adf8bd85c5511) · resized. The largest waterfall on the New River. The river spreads about 1,500 feet wide here and drops roughly 10 to 25 feet around islands. Know before you go The park warns that the river around the falls has been the site of several drownings. Wear a life jacket whenever you are in or near the water. ### Kaymoor Miners Trail - **Start:** From WV 16 in Fayetteville, take Gatewood Road 2 miles, turn left on Kaymoor No. 1 Road, go about a mile to the T intersection and turn left. Parking is just ahead on the right. - **Distance:** 1 mile one way. A steep half mile drops to the mine site, then 821 wooden steps continue down to the lower ruins. - **Difficulty:** Strenuous drops 900 feet, which you climb back out of - **Ends:** Near river level. The trail does not reach the river itself.  A mine car at the Kaymoor Mine entrance. Photo: NPS / Dave Bieri, public domain, via [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:An_old_mine_car_sits_in_front_of_the_Kaymoor_Mine._(bf3d6e21-2818-4e2e-a742-0f5ac63ce771).JPG) · resized. Leads down to the remains of the Kaymoor coal mine, its processing plant, coke ovens and town site. Know before you go Parts of this trail close on some days for maintenance. Check the park’s alerts first.  Looking across the gorge to Diamond Point and Endless Wall. Photo: NPS, public domain, via [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_view_looking_across_the_gorge_to_Diamond_Point_and_Endless_Wall._(e2d72c36-9744-4822-8ad9-317e092fa579).JPG) · resized. All five trails are in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Leashed pets are allowed on every park trail. Always check current trail conditions and closures on the [National Park Service alerts page](https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/conditions.htm) before you go, and see [the easiest hikes](https://newrivergorgeescape.com/#faq-easy) for families. More gentle options are in our post on [easy hikes at New River Gorge](https://newrivergorgeescape.com/blog/easy-hikes-new-river-gorge/). ## What else is there to do at New River Gorge besides hiking? The big draws beyond hiking are guided whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley Rivers, a guided walk on the catwalk under the New River Gorge Bridge, rock climbing on more than 1,400 established routes, and the slow scenic drive down Fayette Station Road beneath the bridge. ### Whitewater rafting Licensed outfitters (companies that supply rafts, gear and guides) run trips on the New River from April through October. Rapids are rated by class: the higher the class, the bigger and harder the water. The upper river has gentler Class I to III rapids. Below Thurmond it narrows into harder Class III to IV water. - **Best for:** First-timers on the upper river with a guide. Experienced paddlers on the lower river and the Gauley, whose main season is early September to mid-October. - **Booking:** Through a licensed outfitter. Reserve ahead for summer and fall weekends. ### Bridge Walk Bridge Walk runs the official guided tour along a maintenance catwalk 25 feet beneath the bridge deck and about 851 feet above the river, with walkers clipped to a safety cable the whole way. - **Best for:** Anyone 8 or older and at least 48 inches tall who is comfortable with heights. - **Booking:** Allow 2 hours or more from check-in to return. Book with Bridge Walk directly. ### Rock climbing The hard, featured sandstone cliffs of the lower gorge hold more than 1,400 established climbs. The best seasons are late April to mid-June and mid-September to late October. - **Best for:** Experienced climbers, or beginners with qualified instruction. - **Booking:** Ask a local climbing shop for guides and advice. ### Fayette Station Road This mostly one-lane, one-way road winds from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center down under the bridge, across the river and back up the other side. - **Best for:** Everyone. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes. - **Know before you go:** Vehicles over 12 feet tall can’t finish it, because of a low railroad bridge. Not for large RVs or trailers. History lovers can also visit Thurmond, a railroad boomtown of the early 1900s whose restored depot is now a seasonal visitor center. Amtrak still stops there on request.  Rafters on the New River, seen from the Diamond Point overlook. Photo: NPS / Dave Bieri, public domain, via [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:In_addition_to_spectacular_scenery,_the_overlook_at_Diamond_Point_is_a_great_place_to_view_whitewater_rafters_nearly_900_feet_(23517764-412f-4a93-8605-524a17c25df3).JPG) · resized. To see current schedules and prices for rafting and other guided trips: [See rafting and guided tours](https://www.viator.com/Fayetteville/d25666?pid=P00328788&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=nrg-things-to-do) (affiliate link) Booking buttons are affiliate links: if you book or shop through one, this guide may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. ## Where should I eat near New River Gorge? Most of the area’s restaurants are in Fayetteville, where pizza, barbecue, coffee and cafés line Court Street, Maple Avenue and Keller Avenue. For a meal with a gorge view, the Hawks Nest State Park lodge has a restaurant. - **In Fayetteville:** Pies & Pints Pizzeria on West Maple Avenue, Cathedral Café in a converted church on South Court Street, Firecreek BBQ & Steaks on Keller Avenue, Range Finder Coffee, and Bridge Brew Works. - **At an outfitter:** Our House Grill & Pub sits at Cantrell Rafting, one of the licensed rafting companies. - **With a view:** The Overlook on the New River Gorge, in the Lodge at Hawks Nest State Park, serves breakfast daily from 7 to 11 a.m. For menus, hours and reservations, check each restaurant’s own website, or the [Visit Fayetteville restaurant directory](https://visitfayettevillewv.com/restaurants/). ## When is the best time to visit New River Gorge, and what should I know before going? Late spring through October is the main season. Rafting runs April through October, rhododendrons bloom in May and July, fall color usually peaks around mid-October, and Bridge Day fills the area on the third Saturday of October. Winter is quieter, but the two main visitor centers stay open year-round. ### Spring Mar–May Climbing season starts in late April, rafting opens in April, and Catawba rhododendrons bloom around mid-May. ### Summer Jun–Aug Peak rafting. The Grandview and Thurmond visitor centers open, generally Memorial Day to Labor Day. Great rhododendrons bloom in July. ### Fall Sep–Nov Gauley River rafting runs early September to mid-October. Color usually peaks around mid-October. It starts at higher elevations, so Grandview often turns first. Timing changes every year. ### Winter Dec–Feb Few crowds. The Canyon Rim and Sandstone visitor centers stay open, closing only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. ### Before you go - **Fees:** No entrance fee, and park campgrounds are free. - **Pets:** Allowed on all park trails on a leash 6 feet or shorter. Not allowed in park buildings, at ranger programs, or at Bridge Day. - **Roads:** Many park roads are narrow and winding, so allow extra time and carry a good map. - **Pack:** Water, snacks, sturdy hiking shoes, layers and a rain jacket. [Shop hiking shoes at REI](https://sovrn.co/j0q6pcu) (affiliate link) · [Shop rain jackets at REI](https://sovrn.co/soj7uyu) (affiliate link) Booking buttons are affiliate links: if you book or shop through one, this guide may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. ## How should I plan one, two or three days at New River Gorge? Spend day one at the bridge end of the park, give day two to the river or the rim trails, and save day three for the quieter south end around Grandview and Sandstone Falls. Each day lists free things to do first, then paid trips you can book instead, so you can mix and match. The one exception is a river day on day two: a guided raft trip is paid, so that day lists free hikes for anyone staying dry. ### One day: the bridge and the rim - **Morning:** Start at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center for maps and the overlooks of the bridge. - **Late morning:** Drive Fayette Station Road under the bridge and back up the other side (30 to 45 minutes). - **Lunch:** Eat in Fayetteville. - **Afternoon:** Hike Long Point for the classic bridge view from the rock outcrop. - **Evening:** Staying the night? Cabins around Fayetteville and Lansing sit close to the bridge and the north-end trails. [See cabins and prices](https://expedia.com/affiliate/ctC2sL5) (affiliate link) Paid choices for this day: Swap any of these in for the free plan above, or add them to it. - **Play it on the drive:** [New River Gorge National Park Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour](https://www.viator.com/tours/West-Virginia/New-River-Gorge-National-Park-Audio-Tour-Guide/d22230-102020P85?pid=P00328788&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=nrg-audio-tour) (affiliate link). Self-guided, in a phone app · Rated 4.0 (22 reviews) · from $15.99 per group · price and rating checked November 2026. One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle. Turn-by-turn stories cover the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and Fayette Station Road, and farther south Grandview, Thurmond and Sandstone Falls. - **Instead of the drive:** [Jet Boat Adventure on the New River Gorge](https://www.viator.com/tours/West-Virginia/Jet-Boat-Adventure-on-the-New-River-Gorge/d22230-17543P8?pid=P00328788&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=nrg-jet-boat) (affiliate link). About 2 hours · Rated 4.0 (30 reviews) · from $50.70 per person · price and rating checked November 2026. A fast boat ride upstream with views of the gorge and the bridge. Meets in Ansted, with a 30-minute shuttle to the boat. The operator lists no age limit. - **Instead of the afternoon hike:** [Gravity New River Gorge Zip Lines](https://www.viator.com/tours/Fayetteville/New-River-Gorge-Zip-Lining/d25666-17543P2?pid=P00328788&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=nrg-zip-gravity) (affiliate link). About 3 hours · Rated 4.9 (54 reviews) · from $113.24 per person · price and rating checked November 2026. Six long zip lines, up to 3,170 feet, nearly 200 feet above the ground. Minimum age 12; weight limits apply. - **Instead of the afternoon hike:** [Tree Tops Zip Line Canopy Tour](https://www.viator.com/tours/West-Virginia/New-River-Gorge-Zip-Line-Canopy-Tour/d22230-17543P1?pid=P00328788&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=nrg-zip-treetops) (affiliate link). About 3 hours · Rated 5.0 (36 reviews) · from $102.64 per person · price and rating checked November 2026. Seven shorter zip lines, four sky bridges and a rappel through hemlock forest. Minimum age 10; weight limits apply. Booking buttons are affiliate links: if you book or shop through one, this guide may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. ### Two days: add the river - **Day 1:** Follow the one-day plan. - **Day 2 on the river:** A guided full-day raft trip (paid), about 6 hours including a riverside lunch. Choose a trip from the paid choices below. - **Day 2 staying dry, morning:** Free: hike the Kaymoor Miners Trail down to the remains of the Kaymoor coal mine, 1 mile each way. It is strenuous: it drops 900 feet, which you climb back out of. Parts of the trail close on some days for maintenance, so check the park’s alerts first. Or pay for a guided walk on the catwalk under the bridge deck with [Bridge Walk](https://bridgewalk.com/) (book directly with them). - **Day 2 staying dry, afternoon:** Free: walk the Endless Wall Trail to Diamond Point and back, about 2 miles. Paid choices for this day: Book your river day here, or swap one of these in for part of the stay-dry day above. - **River day:** [National Park Whitewater Rafting in New River Gorge WV](https://www.viator.com/tours/West-Virginia/Whitewater-Rafting-Lower-New-River-Gorge-WV/d22230-18198P1?pid=P00328788&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=nrg-rafting-outfitter) (affiliate link). About 6 hours · Rated 5.0 (558 reviews) · from $125 per person · price and rating checked November 2026. Class III and IV rapids with a guide in your raft; no experience needed. Day trips meet at 9 a.m. in Hico and include a riverside lunch. Recommended for ages 11 and up. - **River day with young kids:** [Family Rafting in the New River Gorge National Park](https://www.viator.com/tours/West-Virginia/Family-Rafting-in-the-New-River-Gorge-National-Park-WV/d22230-18198P4?pid=P00328788&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=nrg-family-rafting) (affiliate link). About 5 hours · Rated 5.0 (176 reviews) · from $125 per person · price and rating checked November 2026. Gentle Class I and II rapids on the upper New River, with time to swim and a lunch break. For ages 5 and up. Meets in Hico. - **Stay dry: adults who drive:** [New River Gorge ATV Adventure Tour](https://www.viator.com/tours/West-Virginia/New-River-Gorge-Half-Day-ATV-Trip/d22230-171461P1?pid=P00328788&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=nrg-atv) (affiliate link). About 3 hours 30 minutes · Rated 5.0 (127 reviews) · from $195 per person · price and rating checked November 2026. A guided trail ride for every skill level. Every rider must be 18 or older with a valid US driver’s license. - **Stay dry: the whole family:** [New River Gorge Jeep Tour (Half Day)](https://www.viator.com/tours/West-Virginia/New-River-Gorge-Jeep-Tour-Half-Day/d22230-171461P5?pid=P00328788&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=nrg-jeep) (affiliate link). About 4 hours · Rated 4.9 (22 reviews) · from $465 per group of up to 5 · price and rating checked November 2026. A guided off-pavement tour through the park’s coal-mining history, planned for the whole family. Booking buttons are affiliate links: if you book or shop through one, this guide may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. ### Three days: the quiet south end - **Days 1–2:** Follow the two-day plan. - **Day 3 morning:** Grandview’s Main Overlook (the path from the parking lot is uneven stone), then, if your group is up for a moderate trail, part of the Grandview Rim Trail before turning back. The visitor center is open in summer. Shoes with good grip help on that stone path. [Shop hiking shoes at REI](https://sovrn.co/j0q6pcu) (affiliate link) - **Day 3 afternoon:** Sandstone Falls Boardwalk, then the Sandstone Visitor Center on your way out. - **Last night:** Staying over before you head home? Compare cabins for your dates. [See cabins and prices](https://expedia.com/affiliate/ctC2sL5) (affiliate link) Paid choices for this day: Swap any of these in for the free plan above, or add them to it. - **For the drive south:** [New River Gorge National Park Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour](https://www.viator.com/tours/West-Virginia/New-River-Gorge-National-Park-Audio-Tour-Guide/d22230-102020P85?pid=P00328788&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=nrg-audio-tour-day3) (affiliate link). Self-guided, in a phone app · Rated 4.0 (22 reviews) · from $15.99 per group · price and rating checked November 2026. One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle. Turn-by-turn stories cover the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and Fayette Station Road, and farther south Grandview, Thurmond and Sandstone Falls. - **Swap the morning for the river:** [Half Day New River Gorge Whitewater Rafting](https://www.viator.com/tours/West-Virginia/New-River-Gorge-Whitewater-Rafting-WV-Lower-New-Half-Day/d22230-379278P3?pid=P00328788&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=nrg-half-day-rafting) (affiliate link). About 4 hours · Rated 4.9 (44 reviews) · from $109 per person · price and rating checked November 2026. A shorter trip on the lower New River, starting from ACE Adventure Resort near the bridge end of the park. Minimum age 12. - **Swap the morning for a gentle float:** [Family Rafting in the New River Gorge National Park](https://www.viator.com/tours/West-Virginia/Family-Rafting-in-the-New-River-Gorge-National-Park-WV/d22230-18198P4?pid=P00328788&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=nrg-family-rafting-day3) (affiliate link). About 5 hours · Rated 5.0 (176 reviews) · from $125 per person · price and rating checked November 2026. Gentle Class I and II rapids for ages 5 and up. It meets in Hico, at the bridge end of the park, so it replaces the south end rather than adding to it. Booking buttons are affiliate links: if you book or shop through one, this guide may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Adjust for the season, your group and the weather. Check park alerts the morning you set out. ## New River Gorge FAQ ### Does it cost money to visit New River Gorge? No. There is no entrance fee for New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, and its campgrounds are free. Guided activities such as rafting and the Bridge Walk are run by private companies and charge their own prices. ### Are dogs allowed at New River Gorge? Yes. Pets are allowed on all trails in the park on a physical leash no longer than 6 feet. They are not allowed inside park buildings or visitor centers, or at ranger-led programs. Pets are also not permitted at Bridge Day. ### Can you walk across the New River Gorge Bridge? Only on Bridge Day, the one day a year the bridge opens to people on foot. It is held on the third Saturday in October from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On any other day, you can walk beneath the deck on a guided Bridge Walk tour along the maintenance catwalk. ### How big is the New River Gorge Bridge? The bridge is 3,030 feet long and 876 feet above the New River, making it the third-highest bridge in the United States. Its steel arch is 1,700 feet long. Construction began in June 1974 and the bridge opened on October 22, 1977. ### Is New River Gorge rafting OK for beginners? Often, yes, with a licensed outfitter, a company that provides the raft, safety gear and a trained guide. The upper New River has Class I to III rapids. Below Thurmond the river narrows into technical Class III to IV rapids, and the Gauley River is aimed at experienced whitewater fans. Ask your outfitter which trip suits your group and any age limits. ### Do I need a reservation to camp in the park? No, and you can’t make one. The park’s eight primitive (basic) campgrounds are free and first-come, first-served, and they fill quickly in busy months. They have no drinking water, no electricity, limited restrooms, and no hookups (the electric, water and sewer connections RVs use). You can stay up to 14 days in any 28-day period. ### What are the easiest hikes for families? The Sandstone Falls Boardwalk is about a quarter mile and flat. The Canyon Rim boardwalk at the visitor center is about a tenth of a mile, with a ramp to the first viewing point. Skip its 178 steps down to the lower overlook if anyone struggles with stairs. The park also lists several short, easy trails under about a mile. --- Disclaimer: Information based on publicly available sources, checked on 20 October 2026, with corrections checked on 22 October 2026. Before you travel, confirm hours, fees, availability and trail conditions with each provider. If you book or shop through an affiliate link, this guide may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. ## Sources Main sources for this guide: - [National Park Service: New River Gorge basic information](https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm) - [National Park Service: hiking](https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/hiking.htm) and trail pages for [Long Point](https://www.nps.gov/places/long-point-trail.htm), [Endless Wall](https://www.nps.gov/places/endless-wall-trail.htm), [Grandview Rim](https://www.nps.gov/places/grandview-rim-trail.htm), [Castle Rock](https://www.nps.gov/places/castle-rock-trail.htm), [Sandstone Falls Boardwalk](https://www.nps.gov/places/sandstone-falls-boardwalk.htm), [Sandstone Falls](https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/the-sandstone-falls.htm) and [Kaymoor Miners](https://www.nps.gov/places/kaymoor-miners-trail.htm) - [National Park Service: Thurmond Passenger Depot](https://www.nps.gov/places/thurmond-passenger-depot.htm) - [West Virginia Public Broadcasting: park ranger on fall color timing](https://wvpublic.org/story/energy-environment/fall-foliage-changes-coming-quickly-to-w-va-hills/) - [New River Gorge CVB: cabins and vacation rentals](https://newrivergorgecvb.com/stay/cabins-and-vacation-rentals/) - [National Park Service: New River Gorge Bridge](https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/nrgbridge.htm) - [National Park Service: fees](https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/fees.htm), [pets](https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/pets.htm), [camping](https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/camping.htm) and [visitor centers](https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm) - [National Park Service: commercial whitewater](https://home.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/whitewater_commercial.htm), [whitewater](https://home.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/whitewater.htm) and [climbing](https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/climbing.htm) - [National Park Service: Fayette Station Road](https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/fayette-station-road.htm) - [Official Bridge Day information](https://officialbridgeday.com/bridge-day-info) and [Bridge Walk](https://bridgewalk.com/) - [West Virginia State Parks: Babcock](https://www.wvstateparks.com/park/babcock-state-park/) and [Hawks Nest lodge](https://wvstateparks.com/parks/hawks-nest-state-park/lodging/lodge-at-hawks-nest-state-park/) - [ACE Adventure Resort: lodging](https://aceraft.com/lodging/) and [Adventures on the Gorge: lodging](https://www.adventuresonthegorge.com/lodging) - [Visit Fayetteville: restaurant directory](https://visitfayettevillewv.com/restaurants/) - [New River Gorge CVB: Bridge Day](https://newrivergorgecvb.com/event/bridge-day/amp/) © 2026 New River Gorge Escape. Not affiliated with the National Park Service. Published by [Panoptic Development LLC](https://panopticdevelopment.com/).