State Parks and National Parks

New River Gorge National River

Flowing north from North Carolina, one of the world's oldest rivers has carved a spectacular gorge through the southern part of West Virginia.

The New River is one of the most popular whitewater rafting rivers in the East. The free-flowing, 53-mile section from Hinton to Fayetteville offers many natural, scenic, historic and recreational features.

Visitors enjoy excellent fishing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, biking, picnicking and primitive camping. There are interpretive programs, hikes and bird walks.

The gorge offers challenging rock climbing with miles of cliffs and 1,600 routes.

The Canyon Rim Visitor Center on U.S. 19 in Lansing and the Sandstone Visitor Center at I-64, Exit 139, are open year-round. Seasonal visitor contact stations are open Memorial Day through Labor Day in Grandview, off I-64, Exit 129, and in Thurmond, seven miles from the Glen Jean exit off Route 19.

Developed campsites are available at five nearby state parks and at private campgrounds.

Photo credits in order: Photo by Steve Shaluta, courtesy of West Virginia Division of Tourism. Photo by Fred Bell, courtesy of National Park Service. Photo by David Fattaleh, courtesy of West Virginia Department of Commerce.