New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
Updated
Overview
America's newest national park protects 53 miles of the continent's oldest river, cutting through a 1,000-foot canyon crowned by the Western Hemisphere's longest single-span arch bridge. The whitewater is world-class (Class III-V rapids), the sandstone climbing rivals Yosemite for route density, and the Appalachian forest hiking delivers peak fall color by mid-October. The trade-off: 1.8 million annual visitors funnel into a narrow corridor, making the Grandview and New River Gorge Bridge areas mobbed on summer weekends. Go in April or October when crowds thin by 60% and the weather still cooperates.
Skip the tourist-packed bridge overlook and hike the 0.8-mile Grandview Rim Trail at sunrise instead—you'll get the iconic gorge view without the crowds, plus catch fog rising from the river 1,400 feet below. Park at the Main Overlook lot by 6:30am in peak season.
When to Go
The sweet spot is April — good weather meets manageable crowds. Peak season hits in July.
The best month. Comfortable 60s weather, moderate crowds, and the gorge explodes with redbud, dogwood, and rhododendron blooms.
Monthly crowd levels — click a month for details
How Busy Is It?
How New River Gorge & Preserve compares to all 62 national parks
Busier than 85% of national parks
Very BusyMore crowded trails than 64% of parks
Above AverageHigher campsite pressure than 83% of parks
Very BusyNotable Trails
New River Gorge & Preserve has more trail mileage than 65% of national parks, with 120 miles across 100 maintained trails.
The difficulty split leans moderate to strenuous — only 25% of trails are rated easy.
Trail Run or hike the Little Laurel Trail
Stroll on the Sandstone Boardwalk
Trail Run Grandview Rim Trail
Trail run at Endless Wall
Start early — New River Gorge & Preserve's most popular trailheads fill up by mid-morning in peak season.
Camping
9 campgrounds with 89 total sites. About 100% are first-come, first-served.
Top Activities
New River Gorge & Preserve excels at 14 of 17 activity types — here are the standouts rated 7/10 or higher.
Kayaking Canoeing
10/10World-class whitewater rafting and paddling with Class III-IV rapids
Photography
10/10Iconic bridge, gorge vistas, and landscape photography opportunities
Hiking
9/10120 miles of trails through diverse terrain with spectacular gorge views
Scenic Driving
9/10Scenic drives with numerous overlooks of the New River Gorge
Backpacking
8/10Backcountry camping available at designated sites with permits
Rock Climbing
8/10World-class climbing on sandstone cliffs with hundreds of routes
Fishing
8/10Excellent fishing in the New River for muskie and smallmouth bass
Bird Watching
8/10Over 200 bird species including eagles, hawks, and warblers
Ranger Programs
8/10Guided hikes, ranger programs, and cultural heritage presentations
Canyoneering
7/10Creek scrambles and gorge exploration opportunities
Biking
7/10Mountain biking on park roads and designated trails
Horseback Riding
7/10Horse trails available throughout the park
Wildlife Viewing
7/10Black bears, white-tailed deer, beavers, and various bird species
Stargazing
7/10Good dark sky quality in remote park areas
Who It's For
Planning Your Trip
Getting There
Nearest city: Charleston, WV (60 mi). Fly into CRW.
In-Park Services
No gas in park · No lodging in park · Cell: limited
Gateway Town
Fayetteville, WV — full amenities
Featured In ?Rankings based on data-driven scoring across all 62 national parks.
Stories
Gateway Cities
Compare New River Gorge & Preserve
See how New River Gorge & Preserve stacks up against other national parks — crowds, trails, and more.
Compare New River Gorge & PreserveFrequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit New River Gorge National Park & Preserve?
The best month to visit New River Gorge & Preserve is April, based on a balance of weather, crowds, and accessibility. Peak visitation is in July. The park has 4 comfortable months for visiting.
How crowded is New River Gorge National Park & Preserve?
New River Gorge & Preserve is very crowded, with a congestion index of 7.8/10. The park receives 1.8M visitors annually across 113.8 square miles.
How many trails does New River Gorge National Park & Preserve have?
New River Gorge & Preserve has 120 miles of trails across 25 easy, 60 moderate, and 15 strenuous routes. Popular trails include New River Gorge Bridge Walkway, Grandview Overlook Trail, Prince Wharton Juniper Trail.
Can you camp at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve?
Yes, New River Gorge & Preserve has 9 campgrounds with 89 total sites. Some sites are available first-come, first-served.
Is New River Gorge National Park & Preserve open year-round?
Yes, New River Gorge & Preserve is open year-round, though some roads and facilities may close seasonally. The park's climate is classified as temperate_appalachian.