Request a copy of our free travel guide to start planning your next trip! "New River Gorge: Mammals." The first Bridge Day was held on November 8, 1980. Beauty Mountain is a stunning high point with a direct view of the parks river and lush mountains. For booking help call (855) 379-8738 or see our Trip Planner. New River Gorge: America's Newest National Park xhr.setRequestHeader("Authorization", "Bearer c77cda2d30826ba6af5a6e8533723512"); dataType : "json", Not only do tourists visit the park for its attractions, but also for the myriad of activities available. Study the safety protocol for each activity youre planning to do, including: The key to a successful trip is planning and preparation. return key<2; You can visit the remains of the former boomtown of Thurmond, retrace the path of pioneer Mary Draper Ingles' amazing journey, learn of the legend and the facts of the "Steel Driving Man", John Henry, or read the oral history of an immigrant coal miner from the 1800s. You can do just about any outdoor activity, from scenic drives to challenging water sports. Like many other places, there is a 14 day limit per campsite. These early ambassadors recognized the potential for whitewater in West Virginia, and set up shop along the banks of the New River and in the surrounding towns, creating whitewater rafting outfitters. Oddly, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is one of the newest additions to the national parks lineup. The cliffs at New River Gorge are made up of a very hard sandstone, and range from 30 to 120 feet in height. }); Several state parks surround the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. On the bottom, it takes visitors through the remnants of two coal mining townsites. Length: 2.4 Miles They range in length from a quarter of a mile to seven miles. The national park designation will create a 7,021-acre national park within New River Gorge and a 65,165-acre national preserve. Its rail depot is still in operation today. Richmond Hamilton Farm:Richmond Hamilton Farm is a great place to learn about peoples who lived in the area long ago. var items = []; }); Maps. Precipitation: 2.78 inches, Months: December February Dense hardwood forests were logged, and world-famous coal was mined from the New River Gorge, helping to fuel the second Industrial Revolution. Calendar. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is one of West Virginia's unique gems. + e.responseText); Check out nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park! West Virginians have long loved New River Gorge for its 1,000-foot-high sandstone cliffs, its more than 70,000 acres of forested land and its 53 miles of churning river. Streams can have dangerous bacteria and parasites on dogs Precipitation: 2.74 Inches. New River Gorge National Park (Official GANP Park Page) New River Gorge National Park - Visit Fayetteville WV During the fall season, the park transforms into a magical place. New River Gorge: Acing a visit to America's newest national park - CNN Areas surrounding the gorge were logged and mined for decades, but the park has managed to retain its wild beauty. Though excited by the national attention and economic potential, West Virginians have always known this area as an invaluable natural asset. }, The Teays flowed north from present-day western North Carolina through the Virginias, then turned west into the Ohio River before pouring into a vast inland sea. Courtyard by Marriott High-quality hotel with exceptional service, Smart Extended Stay Great budget option, Hampton Inn Best for quality at a reasonable price, Ace Adventure Resort This place is excellent for people looking to do outdoor activities while in the park. Welcome to America's 63rd national parkthe New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. The industry prospered and the area was even connected to the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway in 1873 to facilitate moving mined coal. Red, yellow, and orange foliage will cover the mountains, making the place extra special. "Geology of the New River Gorge." error : function(e) { success: function(data) { National Park & Preserve West Virginia. (A gorge is. }); The bridge is the longest steel span bridge in the western hemisphere. He loves sharing his experience through writing. success: function(data) { 25846, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. These months also see average rainfall accumulations between 3.27 and 4.57 inches. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP the Magazine. Glade Creek offers a beautiful trail with fishing and swimming holes along the route, says Lisa Strader of Visit Southern WV. beforeSend : function(xhr) { The growth is evident in the number of tourists the park gets, clocking over a million since its inception. Status. return key<2; Published Aug 19, 2022 Not only do tourists visit the New River Gorge National Park for its attractions but also for the myriad of activities to engage in. $("#campground-list-2947").append(the_review); Over 300 million years later New River starts from the source carved by the river and then flows in the same northward course way. }); Birds that use the area as an important breeding ground include wood warblers, vireos, and thrushes, and hawks migrate through the park as well. The best time to enjoy climbing in the park is late April to mid-June and mid-September to late October. Sandstone Falls:As with any river known for carving deep gorges and whitewater rafting, the New River has some spectacular waterfalls. if (img_null == "null") { According to Senator Manchin's official website, the new designation will open up 368 acres for hunting in Grandview for the first time. It was established in 2020 to maintain and protect the famous New River Gorge, the eponymous attraction of the park. Before becoming a national park, the New River Gorge was a national river. The New River Gorge National is known for being home to the New River Gorge Bridge. Info. $("#campground-list-2947").append(the_review); During its prime in the 1920s, Thurmond had more coal running through it than Cincinnati, Ohio, and was a flourishing town with a number of businesses and facilities for the C&O Railway. You can run the river on your own or with a guide from one of the numerous outfitters in the area. 9:00 am: Castle Rock Trail to Grandview Rim Trail Loop. 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. Glass half empty or glass half full? New River Gorge National Park | Adventures on the Gorge And were all excited to visit. }); Youre not alone. 7 Facts About Americas Newest National Park New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The deep Canyon carved by the river is now known as the New River Gorge, with its unique orientation lying at the heart of one of the most extensive intact temperate forests in the world. World Wildlife Fund. Not only do tourists visit the New River Gorge National Park for its attractions but also for the myriad of activities to engage in. The majority of the routes are rated advanced or expert. dataType : "json", Length: 12 miles return key<2; National Park Service. Low: 39 F var img_null = $(this).attr("src"); National Park Service. One a clear day, you can see seven miles of the river and its watershed, as well as glimpses of some of the unique history of the park. Difficulty: Moderate Here at Adventures on the Gorge, located right near the New River Gorge and the National Park itself, there is a piece of Almost Heaven for everyone. "New River Gorge: Natural Features and Ecosystems." Months: March-May Park Name. The Big Bang Theory Casts Post-Show Careers, Ranked, The 10 Best Freddy Krueger Kills From The Nightmare on Elm Street Series, Michelle Pfeiffer Refused to Star In a Movie that Made $272 Million and Won 5 Oscars, The 15 Funniest Moments From The Good Place, She Played Mindy On Mork And Mindy, See Pam Dawber Now At 71, Is Chicago Safe To Visit? Babcock State Park offers electric hookups, but no water hookups (water fill up stations are available). Holistically, the type of forest found at New River Gorge is mixed mesophytic, one of the most biologically diverse temperate biomes in the world. var items = []; Fees. But this under-the-radar gem is gaining new attention outside of the Mountain State. xhr.setRequestHeader("Authorization", "Bearer c77cda2d30826ba6af5a6e8533723512"); Dont miss Sandstone Falls: At a place where the river spans 1500 feet across, Sandstone Falls cascades downstream causing the river to drop 10 to 25 feet across of series of islands and falls. Mariska is a recovering attorney who gave up her professional job to discover new perspectives of life while traveling in a 2009 Ford Transit. The New River Gorge Bridge is the second largest single-steel arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere. if (img_null == "null") { . The hiking difficulty of the terrains varies from steep, challenging to flat, shallow walking tracks. The lower portion, also called the Lower Gorge, is the northern end. As Americans continue to weather the pandemic, the $2.3 trillion coronavirus relief and spending bill passed by the federal government in December brought an unexpected and lasting gift: a new. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects a rich variety of this history: from the subsistence lives of the native peoples and the later pioneers, to the coming of the railroad and the many peoples involved in the ensuing boom and bust of the coal mining and logging industries. }); The national river designation provided protections that kept the natrual environment preserved. Length: .25 miles The designation was folded into Congress year-end spending package, which also included pandemic relief and a comprehensive energy package. Date. return key<2; The 5 Newest U.S. National Parks Worth Visiting