New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is a Wonderland
In 1872, Congress established Yellowstone National Park in the Montana and Wyoming territories. Placing the land exclusively in the hands of the Secretary of the Interior, the goal with this designated land was to use it as “a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of people.”
Editor’s Note: It’s important to note here that, when Yellowstone National Park was established, it was inhabited by the Tukudika, who were one of the only tribes to take permanent residence in the area year-round. Throughout varying seasons, the Yellowstone area was inhabited by a number of other indigenous tribes such as Kiowa, Blackfeet, Cayuse, Coeur d’Alene, Shoshone, Nez Perce. Yellowstone National Park and many other National Parks in our country is native land and readers are encouraged to research those ramifications. What is today called New River Gorge National Park (more below) is the ancestral land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, Tutelo, S’atsoyaha, and Moneton people.
When Congress designated Yellowstone National Park as a public space for all, it sparked a worldwide movement of countries and nations creating National Parks as a way to protect lands and keep them open for public enjoyment. As of today, roughly 100 nations oversee more than 1,200 national parks or preserves (according to NPS). And, a new park has been added to our country’s roster: New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
Situated in the scenic mountains of West Virginia, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is home to more than 70,000 acres of public lands. While the United States oversees 429 national sites, only 63 (including New River Gorge National Park and Preserve) have the “national park” designation.
The New River Gorge National River—one of the oldest rivers in the world at an estimated 300 to 360 million years old—was established as a national river in 1978 but the area was reestablished and expanded to include the land surrounding it in 2021 when it was named a national park. The park encompasses 53 miles of the New River, running from Bluestone Dam to Hawk’s Nest Lake.
The New River and the surrounding landscape makes for a diverse ecosystem and an area that has become a refuge for endangered mammals such as the Virginia big-eared bat and Indiana bat. Bald eagles and peregrine falcons also call the area home, creating incredible, once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunities for visitors. The New River slices through the Appalachian Mountains—also one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world—to create unfragmented forest, cliff and rimrock habitats, forest seeps and wetlands, and mature bottomland forests.
Visiting New River Gorge National Park
America’s newest national park doesn’t require an entrance fee or a reservation to visit, making it an affordable destination. Plus, West Virginia, is home to hundreds of miles of scenic, winding roads that make for a perfect weekend road trip from Lynchburg. With campsites and lodging nearby, planning a trip to New River Gorge National Park has never been easier.
Travelers looking to unwind after a long day of adventure seeking can book the nearby Lafayette Flats, boutique rentals that offer modern, upscale apartment-style rentals in historic Fayetteville. Or stay the night at Country Road Cabins to be truly tucked away from it all. Guests can choose from log cabins, glamping tents, yurts, and two iconic tree houses. And, of course, camping opportunities are abundant in West Virginia.
A visit to New River Gorge National Park means something for everyone. If there’s a history buff among the group, they will be thrilled to view the railroad tracks that opened West Virginia up to the rest of the developing country in 1872. They’ll have the opportunity to take in the old coal operations, which carried coal out of the gorge via rail, as well as old rail yards and timber towns.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is also known for its abundant recreational opportunities, from whitewater rafting and canoeing to hiking, rock climbing, fishing, bird watching, camping, picnicking and biking. In fact, the Mountain State is home to the greatest density of American whitewater runs in the United States with world class rapids that provide a thrill like no other. The Lower Gorge of the New River is a premier whitewater rafting location with imposing rapids ranging in difficulty from Class III to Class V, Commercial outfitters conduct trips down the river from April through October. The upper part of the river offers somewhat less challenging class I to III rapids for whitewater canoeing.
The park is also home to the New River Gorge bridge which is the 2nd highest steel arch in the United States and the 2nd longest single arch bridge in the world. Bridge Walk allows visitors the opportunity to travel on the catwalk among the structural beams 851 feet above the New River.
And, right now is the perfect time to embark on a wildflower hike through New River Gorge to enjoy a colorful hike amongst the rhododendrons, trout lilies, and other beautiful flora and fauna set against a lush, mountainous backdrop.
Additional Resources:
- Be Lead by Locals: Spend a Day in the New River Gorge
- New River Gorge Watersports
- New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
