New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects and maintains the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains, which is a national park and a preserve. The park and preserve, which was originally designated as a national river in 1978 but will be renamed in 2020, spans for 53 miles from Hinton to Hawks Nest State Park near Ansted. The park is a treasure trove of natural and cultural heritage, and it’s a haven for outdoor enjoyment and sightseeing. The Cunard put-in to the Fayette Station take-out provides some of the greatest whitewater rafting in the country, and the New River Gorge is also a popular climbing destination on the East Coast.
The New River is one of North America’s oldest rivers, winding through steep valleys on its way north. More than 70,000 acres of land along the New River make up the park, which is rich in both cultural and ecological heritage.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve have a lot to offer visitors. It’s just a matter of time until you run out of options available to you. Consider the options in the table below to get an idea of what would be most convenient for you based on the length of your stay. This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things to see and do in the area. There are lots of places to visit in New River George National Park.
Entrances and how to reach New River George National Park
By Plane
The nearest major airport is in Charleston, WV, about 70 miles to the northwest of the park. Beckley, West Virginia, is a short drive away and has a few flights.
By Car
You can reach Route 19 from Beckley or Hico, or I-64 from Mossy or Sandstone if you’re driving.
GPS Coordinates
GPS (Global Positioning System)
Canyon Rim Visitor Center: 38.07003 N. 81.07583 W. Sandstone Visitor Center: 37.78320 N. 80.89778 W. Sandstone Visitor Center
At 37.83017 N and 81.06312 W, the Grandview Visitor Center
Stop 37.95712 N, 81.07879 W in Thurmond
Forty-Seven Points North, Eighty-Eight Points West
At 38.05019N 81.03976W, Nuttallburg is situated.
Glen Jean Park Headquarters: 37.92775 North, 81.15587 West
Public Transportation
- Three days a week, Amtrak offers service to three points in the park. For passengers with reservations, the Cardinal makes a special flag stop at Thurmond en route from Chicago to New York City.
- Beckley is home to a Greyhound bus station.
- Oak Hill and Beckley are home to taxicab companies that serve the surrounding areas.