New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-25 to 2026-12-19; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center.

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• Biking activity
• Camping activity
• Waterfalls scenic feature
• Wildlife & bird watching scenic feature
• Hiking trails trail
• Fishing water
• Whitewater rafting water

Shows and experiences

• Junior Ranger program

Events

• Patio Talk at Canyon Rim Visitor Center 10:00 AM–10:30 AM · Canyon Rim Visitor Center in Lansing WV
• Thurmond Walk 11:00 AM–11:45 AM · Meet at the Thurmond Depot Visitor Center. The road to Thurmond is narrow and winding; RVs and trailers are not recommended on this road. Since parking is limited at the depot, overflow and large vehicle parking is available across the river in the Dunglen area. Visitors in this parking lot can access the town by walking across the road bridge.
• Nature Hike at Grandview
• Roots of Whitewater
• The Civil War in the New River Gorge
• Hide and Seek
• Tree Talk: Hemlock Wooly Adelgid
• Nature Journaling
• Shadows on the Trail
• Stories of the Island
• Strolling Through Southside
• The New River...Like it Is
• Turtle Talk
• Hornyheads, Madtoms, and Darters
• Fall Migration Birding Hike 07:00 AM–09:00 AM
• Finding New Flora 10:00 AM–11:00 AM
• Grandview Bird Walk 10:00 AM–11:00 AM
• History on the Rocks 02:30 PM–03:30 PM

Before you go

Mobility

Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.

First aid

4 first-aid locations mapped in-park — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.

Limits

Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go

Park alert: Burnwood Campground and Restroom Closure

The Burnwood group campground will be closed from October 5 through mid November due to a construction project to replace water lines. During that time restroom facilities will be closed at the Burnwood Trailhead.

Park alert: Rend Trail Closed through December 2027

The Rend Trail is closed for trail Improvements that will include a new parking area, restroom, and a small picnic area overlooking Arbuckle Creek at the Minden trailhead, structural improvements to five historic railroad trestles along the trail, and full trail surface rehabilitation. Additionally, construction of a large accessible ramp over the ‘big rock’ will replace a stairway, resulting in the only fully accessible earthen surface trail located within the park.

Park alert: Kaymoor Miners Trail Closure

From June 15 through November 19 the upper part of the Kaymoor Miners Trail (from Kaymoor Top down to the mine site at the junction with the Kaymoor Trail) will be closed Monday through Thursday due to a trail rehab project. The trail is expected to be fully open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Getting there

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.

Weather & when to go

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.

Visitor center

Canyon Rim Visitor Center — Canyon Rim is open year round from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. — Canyon Rim Visitor Center is located on U.S. Route 19, just north of Fayetteville, WV. U.S. Route 19 is easily reached from Interstates I-64 and I-79, as well as U.S. Route 60. GPS Coordinates: 38.07003 N, 81.07583 W

Visitor center

Canyon Rim Visitor Center

Visitor center

Canyon Rim Visitor Center

Visitor center

Canyon Rim Visitor Center

Visitor center

Canyon Rim Visitor Center

Visitor center

Canyon Rim Visitor Center

Visitor center

Grandview

Visitor center

Grandview Visitor Center — Visitor Center open daily from Memorial Day through October 25 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. — To reach Grandview from Beckley follow I-64 East five miles to Exit 129 B. From Lewisburg follow I-64 West forty miles to Exit 129. From either exit, turn right and follow Route 9 North six miles to Grandview.

Visitor center

Grandview Visitor Center

Visitor center

Grandview Visitor Center

Visitor center

Grandview Visitor Center

Visitor center

Grandview Visitor Center

Facilities on the park map

8 bench, 2 changing table, 3 defibrillator, 4 first aid station, 2 mobility rental, 8 picnic area, 38 restroom, 28 visitor information, 3 water fountain.

Where to stay

• War Ridge/Backus Mountain Campground This is the only campground in the park that is not along the river. It is located on a ridgetop near Backus Mountain. There are 8 drive-in sites for tents, RVs, or campers. Only small (less than 25 feet) RVs or campers are recommended. Camp only at designated sites. RV, camper, or car camping in non-designated sites or any parking area is strictly prohibited. · 8 campsites · Accessibility: There are no ADA compliant accessible campsites or restrooms at this location.
• Glade Creek Campground This forested campground offers both tent and RV sites near the banks of the New River and the Glade Creek Trailhead. There are 6 walk-in tents sites and 5 drive-in sites for tents, RVs, or campers. There is 1 accessible site. Only small (less than 25 feet) and medium (22 - 31.5 feet) RVs or campers are recommended. Camp only at designated sites. RV, camper, or car camping in non-designated sites, · 11 campsites · Accessibility: There is one accessible campsite at this location. Please display disability placard in your vehicle if using this site. Composting restroom facilities are…
• Thayer Campground This tent only campground is located near the community of Thayer along the banks of the New River. It has 4 walk-in sites. There are no drive-in sites at this location. RV, camper, or car camping is prohibited. Alcohol is prohibited at this campground. · 4 campsites · Accessibility: There are no ADA compliant accessible campsites or restrooms at this location.
• Grandview Sandbar This campground offers shaded wooded campsites near the banks of the New River. There are 10 wooded drive-in sites for RVs, campers, car camping, and tents; 6 walk-in tents sites; and 2 accessible sites by the river. Only small (less than 25 feet) and medium (22 - 31.5 feet) RVs are recommended due to the tight access road. Camp only at designated sites. RV, camper, or car camping in non-designate · 16 campsites · Accessibility: There are two accessible campsites at this campground. Please display disability placard in your vehicle if using one of these campsites. Composting restroom…
• Army Camp This campground offers both tent and RV campsites along the banks of the New River at one of its many horseshoe bends. There are 11 drive-in sites for RVs, campers, and tents. Only small (less than 25 feet) and medium (22 - 31.5 feet) RVs or campers are recommended. Large RVs or campers are not recommended. Some sites offer partial shade; others are located in the open with no shade. Camp only at · 11 campsites · Accessibility: There is one accessible campsite at this campground. Please display disability placard in your vehicle if using this site. Composting restroom facilities are…
• Stone Cliff This tent only campground located near the historic railroad town of Thurmond offers 7 walk-in sites, 5 on the sandy beach of the New River and 2 in the nearby forest. There are no drive-in sites at this location. RV, camper, or car camping is prohibited. The Stone Cliff Trailhead also starts at the campground. · 7 campsites · Accessibility: Campsites are walk-in and not accessible. Composting restrooms facilities are accessible.
• Meadow Creek Campground This primitive campground located along the New River is only one mile from the Sandstone Visitor Center. It offers 17 sites in an open field. The railroad crossing can be dangerous for larger RVs and trailers. The low grade railroad crossing is not suitable for extended wheelbase RVs such as motorhomes, fifth wheels and travel trailers etc. Campers should expect to hear some noise such as train h · 17 campsites · Accessibility: Campsites are walk-in and not accessible. Composting restrooms facilities are accessible.
• Brooklyn Campground This tent only campground is located on the banks of the New River near the Cunard River Access point and Southside Trailhead. It offers 4 walk-in tents sites and 1 tent-only drive-in site. There are no drive-in sites for RVs or campers at this location. RV, camper, or car camping is prohibited. · 5 campsites · Accessibility: There are no ADA compliant accessible campsites or restrooms at this location.
• Burnwood Group Campsite Burnwood is located across Route 19 from Canyon Rim Visitor Center and offers group camping. This site is only for groups of 8 or more people and requires a Special Use Permit. For a permit for the group campsites, contact the permits office at 304-465-6531. Permits require a minimum of 10 business days after the application has been received. · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Campground is in a grassy field with a gravel parking lot. Restrooms are accessible.