Summary

  • New River Gorge National Park is considered the best national park in the US, with unique geological features and free admission.
  • Visitors can enjoy activities like crossing the New River Gorge Bridge, rock climbing, rafting, and hiking in the park.
  • Summer is the recommended time to visit, but fall is also pleasant with fewer crowds and changing leaves. Consider staying longer to fully explore the area and take advantage of the affordable living options in West Virginia.

The United States has some of the best national parks in the world. Some of the globe's oldest, biggest, and tallest trees may be found in America's national parks, along with glaciers and snow-capped mountain summits. These wilderness regions are ideal for outdoor activities like sightseeing, camping, hiking, learning about local cultures and natural history, or just sitting back and taking in the glories of the world.

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With hundreds of national parks in the United States, some are easier to overlook than others, but all of them have something special to offer.

Most of the United States' best national parks are conveniently accessible and thoughtfully designed with tourists in mind. The majority are also within a short drive from large cities. Out of them all, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is one of the most beautiful and has a lot to offer, including interesting outdoor pursuits like hiking, bicycling, whitewater rafting, and simply enjoying a picnic, some quiet birdwatching, or camping and watching the river flow past. Moreover, the park allows visitors to explore historic sites and learn more about the region's cultural past.

New River Gorge is now regarded as the top-rated park in the US, and it has earned the rating!

UPDATE: 2023/12/20 20:21 EST BY NOAH STAATS

There's No Better Time Than NOW To Visit New River Gorge National Park

This article has been refreshed with new information regarding a trip to New River Gorge National Park. Summer tends to be a favorite time to come here, as the weather is perfect and plants and animals are out and about. Remember to bring your camera, and have fun!

New River Gorge National Park And Preserve Is The Best National Park In The US

New River Gorge has unique geological features and is free to enter

New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia
Shutterstock
New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia

Despite its name, the New River is among the continent's or maybe the world's oldest rivers. The New River is one of the few rivers in the USA that run from south to north. The deepest and longest in the Appalachian mountain range, New River Gorge cuts an incredible swath across them, teeming with untouched species of all types. It serves as a playground for adventure sports as well.

River enthusiasts may attempt whitewater kayaking or rafting on the 53 miles (85.29 km) of the river, but they should be prepared for its violent Class IV and Class V rapids that may flip them off their raft.

  • New River Gorge Entrance fee: No fee
  • Opening hours: New River Gorge Park is open 24/7, even on holidays. However, the visitor centers are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Additionally, travelers can take pictures with America's largest arch bridge on the same trip.

Top Things To Do In New River Gorge National Park And Preserve

From hikes to rafting to rock climbing, there are endless things to do at New River Gorge

New River Gorge, West Virginia in the fall
Shutterstock
New River Gorge, West Virginia in the fall

There are plenty of things to do in New River Gorge National Park, as one would expect from what is now considered number one on the list of the best national parks in the US. Add the following to the itinerary out of all the park's highlights.

Cross The River Gorge Bridge

New River Gorge Bridge is one of the tallest bridges in the USA. Visitors may walk on the walkway, 25 feet (7.6 m) below the bridge, for one of the park's most exhilarating experiences.

Daily tours are offered; they last for almost three hours, during which visitors traverse a wide walkway from one end of the bridge to the other. Looking directly down at the New River while experiencing the trembling of tractor-trailer trucks passing overhead is a wonderful experience.

Visitors must wear a harness connected to a safety line that runs the whole length of the bridge to accomplish this. The tour guide shares interesting information about the bridge and the surrounding region as visitors gently move below it. There is plenty of opportunity to ask questions, take pictures, and enjoy the splendor of the New River Gorge.

  • Tour Cost: Bridge Walk starts at $72
  • Tour Duration: 2 to 3 hours
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Get Ready For Amazing Rock Climbing In New River Gorge National Park

Scenic sunset, New River Gorge, West Virginia
Photo 76417527 Anthony Heflin Dreamstime.com
Scenic sunset, New River Gorge, West Virginia

Over 1,400 recognized rock climbs may be found in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The climbing spots in the park have grown to be some of the most well-liked in the nation.

The cliffs of New River Gorge are between 30 and 120 feet (9 to 36.5 m) tall and are composed of very durable sandstone. Numerous crack and face routes are accessible, and the rock is well-highlighted. The majority of the gorge's routes cater to experienced and advanced climbers.

Enjoy Rafting On The New River Gorge

A group rafting on the New River Gorge in West Virginia
Photo 117465388 © Allen Dulaney | Dreamstime.com
 A group rafting on the New River Gorge in West Virginia

Among the reasons New River Gorge National Park is worth visiting is that it offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the US. This region of West Virginia is well recognized for its thrilling whitewater rafting excursions. A few different rafting options are available, with a full-day trip down the Lower New River being the most well-liked.

This journey begins with a relatively calm float ideal for taking in the beauty surrounding one of the oldest rivers in the world, but as rafters get closer to the well-known New River Gorge Bridge, they have to navigate Class IV and V rapids.

Hike The New River Gorge

A waterfall surrounded by trees in New River Gorge
Photo by Lori Stevens on Unsplash 
A waterfall surrounded by trees in New River Gorge

Unsurprisingly, the New River Gorge is centered on the river's path through the native Nuttall sandstone. However, that does not imply that the area lacks hiking paths.

  • Some of the Best Hiking Trails in New River Gorge National Park: Endless Wall Trail, Long Point Trail, Grandview Rim Trail, Sandstone Falls, Boardwalk Island Loop Trail

There are over 100 miles (160 km) of hiking trails in New River Gorge National Park, ranging from easy to difficult. Many paths may be connected if hikers are looking for a longer trip, but most are short and ideal for beginners.

Summer Might Be The Best Time To Visit New River Gorge

With endless adventure and flora and fauna at their prime, summer is perfect here

New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia
Photo 110025789 © Asboard90 | Dreamstime.com
New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia

Regarding the 'best' time to visit the New River Gorge in West Virginia, summer is when most people come to explore nature's many wonders. In the warmer months (May through July), plants will be in bloom, animals will be running wild, and plenty of fellow National Park goers will be present.

New River Gorge National Park does get busier around holidays and weekends, so that may be a time to avoid if you prefer a quiet, peaceful day in nature.

Leaving summer and heading into the fall, New River Gorge National Park also tends to be pleasant from August through October, with leaves changing and fewer crowds. Some people even recommend the broader timeframe of April through October, essentially from late spring to the end of fall. Again, there is no bad time to come here. There's always something going on.

  • The best time to visit: New River Gorge National Park is best seen in the summer.

But how long do visitors need to explore New River Gorge? Some would say a day or two, while others would suggest several to truly soak up the area's splendor.

West Virginia is also the cheapest state to live as a digital nomad. Staying here part-time or longer means more time in nature as well as exploring this favorite National Park.