🏕️National Park Data
sun rising over the New River Gorge
bridge spanning the river
bend in the river
railroad tracks and depot
waterfall spanning the river
fog and mountains
National Park & Preserve

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

West Virginia

💰
Entrance Fee
Free
🕐
Hours
All Day
📍
Location
Glen Jean, WV
📞
Visitor Center
304-465-0508

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.

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About New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is a national park & preserve located in West Virginia. 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.

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. GPS Coordinates for Headquarters: 81.15587W, 37.92775N 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.

💰 Entrance Fees & Passes

Entry to New River Gorge is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.

🥾 Things to Do

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Arts and Culture, Theater, Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, and 42 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

✅ 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
✅ RV Camping
✅ Climbing
✅ Rock Climbing
✅ Fishing
✅ Freshwater Fishing
✅ Fly Fishing
✅ Food
✅ Picnicking
✅ Guided Tours
✅ Self-Guided Tours - Walking
✅ Self-Guided Tours - Auto
✅ Hiking
✅ Backcountry Hiking
✅ Front-Country Hiking
✅ Horse Trekking
✅ Horseback Riding
✅ Hunting and Gathering
✅ Hunting
✅ Paddling
✅ Canoeing
✅ Canoe or Kayak Camping
✅ Kayaking
✅ Stand Up Paddleboarding
✅ Whitewater Rafting
✅ Junior Ranger Program
✅ Playground
✅ Wildlife Watching
✅ Birdwatching
✅ Park Film
✅ Museum Exhibits
✅ Shopping
✅ Bookstore and Park Store

📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at New River Gorge

0 of 13 packed

🎒 Trail Essentials

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🥾 Activity-Specific Gear

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🧥 Apparel & Layers

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💡 Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

📋 Visitor Planning Tips for New River Gorge

  • →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of New River Gorge before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • →Verify Conditions: Weather and trail accessibility inside New River Gorge can change rapidly. Always verify the latest road conditions and local weather advisories before starting your trek.
  • →Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding New River Gorge get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
  • →Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of New River Gorge. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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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.

Frequently Asked Questions about New River Gorge

The entrance fee for New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is Free per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

🧗

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

🏔️ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio →
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