New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
Park Loop Trail
easy FamiliesQuick Legs StretchWildflower Season
1.1 mi Distance
Varies Estimated Time
loop Trail Type
What to Expect
The Park Loop Trail is about as gentle an introduction to New River Gorge as you'll find — a quick mile-long circuit that winds through the mixed hardwood forest near the park's main facilities. The trail is well-maintained and mostly flat, threading through oak, hickory, and tulip poplar canopy that turns the path into a shaded tunnel even on the hottest summer days. Don't expect dramatic gorge overlooks here; this is a forest walk, pure and simple. You'll hear birds more than you'll see vistas. The footing is generally good with a packed-dirt surface, though a few root-crossed sections keep things interesting. It's the kind of trail you walk when you've got thirty minutes to kill before a ranger program, or when the kids need to burn off energy without anyone risking a meltdown. Casual walkers and families with young children will find this one perfectly pitched.
Trail Details
Distance 1.1 miles round-trip
Difficulty easy
Estimated Time Varies
Trail Type loop
Pets Not allowed
Season Year-round
Trailhead Park Loop Trail
Pro Tips
Trail Tip
Pair this with a visit to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center — the trailhead is right there, and you can grab a trail map and hit the restrooms before heading out.
Trail Tip
Walk it counter-clockwise for the slightly more interesting forest section first, so if little legs give out halfway, you're already heading back the easy way.
Trail Tip
In mid-to-late April, look for trillium, Virginia bluebells, and other woodland wildflowers carpeting the forest floor — it's one of the best casual wildflower walks in the park.
