New River Gorge West Virginia

New River Gorge, West Virginia Canyon Rim Tour

New River Gorge National Encompasses 70,000 acres between Hinton & Hawks Nest State Park. Created to conserve & protect 53 miles of the New River as a free-flowing waterway. Visitors Centers are Canyon Rim (304-574-2115), on US 19 just north of Fayetteville & Sandstone (304-466-9192), at Exit 139 on I-64. Visitor information stations are also open during summer months from 12-5 at Grandview & 10 - 5 at Thurmond Depot. Call for hiking & biking trail information.


Recreation - 4-Wheel Vehicle Drive, White Water Rafting, Site Seeing, Hiking, Rock Climbing; Mountain Biking; Lama Riding; Horseback Riding: Backpacking

New River Gorge- From Indianapolis to Fayetteville, West Virginia is about 6 Hours ; from Cincinnati it is about 5 hour and from Columbus only 4 hours to paradise and from New York City it is only about 8 hours and the last several hours you are in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. Fayetteville has lots to offer, outfitters, hotels, restaurants, back country roads and adventure just minutes away. Make this your headquarters and plan several trips for a variety of exciting activities.

Canyon Rim-Twisting, curving, and descending 1,000 feet from the canyon rim to river level, this 16-mile drive follows the old highway into the gorge of the New River, crosses the river, climbs up the other side of the gorge, and drives across the modern New River Gorge Bridge 876 feet above the river. It ends at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center of the New River Gorge National River. The drive is best suited to 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles, Jeeps, SUV's, and trucks. The road is gravel and narrow and steep. Held in awe by white-water enthusiasts, the New River, now preserved as the New River Gorge National River, surges through a 1,000-foot-deep canyon in southern West Virginia. The New River and the nearby Gauley are known for their Class III to Class V+ rapids, the best and wildest white water in the country east of the Rockies. Special Attractions: Challenging driving and spectacular views from above and below the gorge and bridge. This is a complete description of a scenic drive with a route map and information on the best travel seasons, interesting sites, recreation opportunities, camping locations, and much more.

Starting at the National Park Canyon Rim Visitor Center, you can get directions for this original journey that was for many years the only way across the gorge. You can also learn about West Virginia's Coal Mine History. Gift Shop is also available. From WV19 Mountaineer Expressway, take WV 82 north and then it will switchback and wind its way down into the gorge. Watch the rock climbers. After passing under the big bridge, look to the right to spot the gabions--big metal cages holding rocks. Park in the pull off on the left. A set of stairs takes you up to Bridge Buttress, one of the most popular and easily accessible climbing areas in the gorge. Watch the climbers and you’ll get a good idea of how this exciting and challenging sport works.

Continue down until you cross the original (rebuilt) Fayette Station Bridge over the New River and begin to wind your way back up the narrow road on the opposite side. You will be able to look up and see the new bridge spanning the entire gorge 870 feet above. Before you continue back up, look for a little wooden bridge on the right that leads to a parking area. Stroll down to the river to watch the kayakers and rafters run the last big rapid of their trip. Fish. Picnic. Or just sit and watch the view of the river.

Kaymoor Mine Hike: Continue your journey by starting up the north side of the gorge. A mile up the road, in a hair pin curve, you will see a pull off with a National Park Service kiosk. This is the trailhead for a 1.8 mile hike out to the remnants of the Kaymoor Mine. After a short climb the trail rolls along and provides great views and interpretive signs. For bonus fitness points, take the 800 steps down to the bottom and check out the rest of the old mine site.

Continue up the north rim and at the switchback, follow signs for traffic, and continue on route 82




After your busy, physical day, you’ll need to relax and tell stories over a good meal. Continue up the south side of the gorge until you hit Rt. 19. Go straight across the highway and you’ll run into Pies and Pints in less than a mile. Or head further uptown for Cathedral Café, Gumbos, or Sedona Grill.
Head back to Opossum Creek Retreat for a soak in your hot tub.