a train traveling over a bridge surrounded by trees

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

A free-entry national park in West Virginia known for whitewater rafting, sandstone climbing and views from a steel arch bridge over the river.

Find a room in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Start with the essentials Plan a trip to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

New River Gorge is a national park and preserve in southern West Virginia, in the Appalachian Mountains. The park is run by the National Park Service. The New River, one of the oldest rivers in North America, flows north through a deep canyon of sandstone cliffs. A steel arch bridge carries US Route 19 high above the water. Coal mining and railroads shaped the gorge, and remnants of coal-era towns remain inside the park. Fayetteville is the nearest town of any size and the usual base for a trip.

Visitors come for whitewater rafting on the Lower Gorge, rock climbing on the cliffs, and short walks to overlooks above the river. Entry is free. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for rafting and hiking, while summer is warm and busier on the water. Plan your days around the river and the cliffs, and allow extra time for any longer trail you want to hike.

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in five

Enter free, then budget for the activityThe National Park Service charges no entrance fee at New River Gorge, and passes are not sold here. Your costs are lodging, food and any guided raft, climb or gear rental.National park fees for visitors
Book a licensed outfitter for the Lower GorgeThe park lists Class III to V rapids on the Lower Gorge, and says the river below Thurmond suits only advanced or expert paddlers. A guided trip supplies guides, gear, transport and meals.NPS whitewater page
Start at Canyon Rim or SandstoneThese two visitor centers are open any time of year, while Grandview and Thurmond are seasonal, generally Memorial Day through Labor Day. Pick up a park map, because the park is 53 miles long and roads are narrow and winding.
Base in Fayetteville, Beckley or HintonThe NPS points to these gateway communities for food, lodging and full-service campgrounds. Fayetteville is nearest the bridge and the rim trails, and Hinton suits the quieter upper river.
Camp free in primitive sitesPrimitive camping, first come, first served, is available without charge at a number of locations inside the park. Check the park's camping page for locations and any seasonal closures before you drive in.

Things to do in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

See all attractions in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Sight · New River Gorge National Park and PreserveHawks Nest State Park

Bridge · New River Gorge National Park and PreserveNew River Gorge Bridge

An aerial view of a river surrounded by trees

Sight · New River Gorge National Park and PreserveHawks Nest Overlook

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to New River Gorge National Park and PreservePut the places you like in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Entrance: Free; no entrance pass required Read more
Permits: None for day use; shelters at Grandview can be reserved
Season: Open year-round; rafting April to October; some visitor centers seasonal
Nearest town: Fayetteville; Beckley and Hinton are also gateways
Getting there: Drive; fly to Charleston, WV (CRW) and allow roughly 1 to 1.5 hours

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain15 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh5°Low-4°Cold, quiet
FebruaryRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh9°Low0°Cold, quiet
MarchRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low2°Cool, rafting prep
AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Spring, rafting
MayRain18 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Green, high water
JuneRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low16°Warm, busy
JulyRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Hot, busy
AugustRain15 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Hot, humid
SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Mild, quieter
OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Fall color
NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh12°Low3°Cool, bare
DecemberRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh8°Low0°Cold, quiet

Average daily high and low in Beckley, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 14°
Humidity: 55%
Wind: 10 km/h
Chance of rain: 47%

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

06:25 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today18°9°47%Monday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 47%.
Tue22°10°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 3%.
Wed19°11°72%Wednesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 72%.
Thu18°12°91%Thursday: Rain. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 91%.
Fri17°9°31%Friday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 31%.
Sat10°3°17%Saturday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 17%.
Sun15°2°23%Sunday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 23%.

Updated 03:54 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Before you go to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Guided whitewater raftingLower Gorge rapids, licensed outfittersCompare day trips

Rental car for the gorgeNarrow, winding roads between sightsCompare cars

eSIM for the GorgeDownload maps before the canyon roadsRead the guide

Adventure and medical coverCheck rafting and climbing are coveredRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, checked

No entrance fee or pass is required to enter New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Canyon Rim and Sandstone visitor centers are open year-round; Grandview and Thurmond are seasonal, generally Memorial Day to Labor Day.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
The New River whitewater season runs April through October; the Lower Gorge has Class III to V rapids, and guided trips use licensed outfitters.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

National park fees explained

Which parks charge and which do not

Read the guide Getting around the USA

Rental cars, trains and buses compared

Read the guide Asheville

A Blue Ridge city a long half-day drive south

Read the guide Great Smoky Mountains

The most visited park, on the same ridges

Read the guide eSIM for the USA

Data on landing before the canyon roads

Read the guide All of the USA

States, parks and cities in one planning hub

Read the guide

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve FAQ

Is New River Gorge National Park free?

Yes. The National Park Service states that there is no fee to enter the park, and that passes and senior or access passes are not sold there. Rafting, guided climbing and lodging are priced separately.

What is New River Gorge known for?

Whitewater rafting on the New River, rock climbing, hiking and the view of the steel arch bridge across the gorge. The park spans 53 miles of river and more than 70,000 acres, so most visits focus on one section.

How many days do you need at New River Gorge?

Two days covers a rim walk, the bridge view and a half-day raft trip. Three or four days adds climbing, the quieter Sandstone area or a river trip on a second section.

Do you need a car at New River Gorge?

Yes. The park is long and spread out, with narrow winding roads. Guided rafting trips usually include transport to and from the river.

When is the best time to visit New River Gorge?

April to June and September to October. Rafting season runs April through October, spring has the biggest water, and fall adds color. Bridge Day in October draws crowds, so check the official Bridge Day site for its date.