To celebrate National Parks Week, I’ve decided to write about America’s newest National Park – New River Gorge in West Virginia.
For several years, I regularly drove through this park on my way to visiting my kids in Virginia. (All three of them went to college or grad school in Virginia.) It’s a gorgeous area. I’ve had the opportunity to stay in the area a few times and experience some of the many adventurous activities available.
Rafting in New River Gorge
The best way to see New River Gorge is on a raft. The really cool thing about the New River is that different sections of the river allow for varying levels of difficulty. You can go on a scenic float trip or an adventurous whitewater ride. If you’re experienced, you can challenge yourself with a difficult run.
New River Gorge Bridge
The must-see landmark of New River Gorge is the bridge. When construction was completed in 1977, it was the world’s highest bridge. Today it is the world’s third-highest. When you raft under it, you can really appreciate the height, but there are also observation points where you can get a nice view of the bridge.
Hiking in New River Gorge
This scenic park is also ideal for hiking. The first time we went rafting here, our guide pointed out the ruins of the abandoned Kaymoor Coal Mine that nature had reclaimed and told us there was a hiking trail to it. My son was fascinated by the idea of seeing modern ruins, and so we hiked to it the next day.
You can also go visit a historic railroad town and hike in search of waterfalls. New River Gorge National Park offers nearly 100 miles of hiking trails.
More activities in and around New River Gorge
Resorts in the areas surrounding New River Gorge National Park offer rafting trips along with a mind-boggling number of other activities. This area is an adventure seeker’s dream!
Water activities in and around New River Gorge
You can find the following water-related activities in the area surrounding the park:
- Stand-up Paddleboarding
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Pontoon boats
- Jet boats
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Inflatable Waterpark
Activities in the air around New River Gorge
Adventure abounds, including aerial activities like:
- Ziplining
- Canopy courses
- Bridge walk (yes, you can walk on the framework under the New River Gorge Bridge!)
- Rock climbing and rappelling
Activities on land around New River Gorge
The adventure continues on the ground:
- Mountain biking
- ATVing
- Jeep tours
- Horseback riding
- Mud obstacle course
- Paintball
- Outdoor laser tag (This was SO MUCH FUN!)
- Archery
- Shooting
- Hunting
- Geocaching
- Golf
- Disc golf
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Badminton
- Ladderball
- Cornhole
- Skiing (in winter)
Underground activities near New River Gorge
Then you can head underground for:
- Cave tours
- Coal mine tour
Indoor activities near New River Gorge
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, or for a change of pace, you can head indoors for:
- Escape Rooms
- Bowling
- Indoor tennis
And after all that adventure, if you want to relax at a spa, they’ve got those too. 🙂
Lodging options in the area include everything from resorts and deluxe cabins to rustic cabins and campgrounds.
There is truly something for everyone in the New River Gorge region. And for that reason, I planned a family reunion there, and we had a wonderful time.
Do you want to visit New River Gorge?
My family loved our time in New River Gorge. I’d love to help more families plan a vacation to New River Gorge National Park. Read about how my planning services work here and then schedule a complimentary consultation.