New River Gorge National River Custom Search A rugged, white water river, flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. Located in southern West Virginia, New River Gorge National River was established in 1978 to conserve and protect 53 miles of the New River as a free-flowing waterway. This unit of the National Park System encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River between the towns of Hinton and Fayetteville. The park and surrounding area are rich in cultural and natural history, with an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities.    CONTACTS Email - katy_miller@nps.gov Fax- 304-465-0591 Write to P. O. Box 246 Glen Jean, WV 25846-0246 Phone Headquarters - 304-465-0508 Visitor Information - 304-574-2115 Visitor Information - 304-763-3145 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons The park is open year-round. Canyon Rim Visitor Center is open daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended hours in the summer. Visitor centers in Thurmond, Grandview, and Hinton are open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the summer. Getting There PLANE - Charleston WV, approximately 70 miles northwest of the park, is the closest major airport. Some flights are also available nearby at Beckley WV. CAR - Highway access is from Route 19, between Beckley and Hico, and from I-64, between Mossy and Sandstone. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Amtrak service is available to three locations in the park, three days a week. The Cardinal, traveling between Chicago and Washington DC, makes scheduled stops at Hinton and Prince, with Thurmond as a flag stop for passengers with reservations. Greyhound has a bus terminal in Beckley. Taxi services are based in Oak Hill and Beckley. Weather & Climate In general, winters are variable, ranging from mild to frigid. Expect 50 degrees and mild, or - 10 degrees and blizzard conditions. Spring is very unpredictable - generally mild and wet, it alternates between beautiful and questionable conditions. Summers are warm and humid, with thunderstorms occasionally. Fall is generally the driest and most stable season, with cool mornings and mild days. Accessibility All four visitor centers are accessible. Boardwalks with views of the New River at Canyon Rim, and at Sandstone Falls are also available. Three campgrounds (Army Camp, Grandview Sandbar, and Glade Creek) offer accessible sites. Braille park brochures are provided at all visitor centers. With advance notice, outfitters can accomodate many different types of disabilities on whitewater rafting trips. The beauty of the gorge appeals to all, regardless of their ability to experience every activity. Getting Around The four visitor centers, primitive campgrounds, and several dozen trailheads, and river access points are located along narrow and winding roads. Allow plenty of time to travel between locations, and use safe speeds and courtesy on one lane roads. CAMPING Army Camp Open All Year Primitive Camping Only! Campground has 11 sites, in an open area near the river, with some sites having partial shade. Sites have picnic tables, lantern hooks and grills, and nearby toilet. facilities. Drinking water is NOT provided, so bring your own water. No fees. One site is handicapped accessible. This campground can accomodate self-contained RV's. Glade Creek Open All Year Primitive camping on five sites in a wooded area. Sites have picnic tables, lantern hooks, and grills, and nearby toilet facilities. Drinking water is NOT provided, so bring your own water. No fees. One site is handicapped accessible. This campground cannot accomodate large RV's. Grandview Sandbar Open All Year Primitive camping on 16 sites in a wooded area. Sites have picnic tables, lantern hooks, and grills, with nearby toilet facilities. Ten sites can accomodate medium sized RV's, 2 sites are handicapped accessible, and there are 4 walk-in sites. Drinking water is NOT provided, so bring your own water. No fees. Stone Cliff Open All Year Very primitive camping on 10 sites in a sandy area with partial shade. Sites do NOT have picnic tables, lantern hooks, or grills. Two or three of the sites can accomodate small pop-ups, pickup campers, or vans. Scout the campground on foot before driving in, to assess water level and sand conditions, as the area is subject to flooding. Drinking water is NOT provided, so bring your own water. No Fees. FACILITIES Visitor Centers CANYON RIM VISITOR CENTER Open All Year 9:00 - 5:00 Phone - 304-574-2115 Location - Located off U. S. Route 19, just north of the New River Gorge Bridge. It is approximately 30 minutes north of Beckley, 30 minutes south of Summersville, and 70 minutes southeast of Charleston. Closures - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day Special Programs - Orientation Slide Program. Exhibits - Exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the area. Available Facilities - Boardwalk, overlooks, picnic tables. GRANDVIEW Phone - 304-763-3715 Location - Take the Grandview exit (129-B) on I-64, east of Beckley. Follow Route 9 north for six miles to the park. Closures - Recreational climbing and hunting are prohibited at Grandview. Special Programs - Ranger on a Rock informal programs, hikes, walks Available Facilities - Overlooks, hiking trails, picnic tables, picnic shelters, playgrounds, and summer outdoor drama presentations. For shelter reservations, call 304-465-8064. For theatre schedule and ticket information, call 800-666-9142. HINTON VISITOR CENTER Phone - 304-466-0417 Location - Hinton Visitor Center is on Route 20, west of Hinton. Special Programs - Hikes and walks at nearby Sandstone Falls, and Bluestone National Scenic River Exhibits - Scenic views, video presentation Available Facilities - Three trails, and a boardwalk leading to river-level views of Sandstone Falls are within ten miles of the visitor center. Fishing and river-watching are available from the visitor center's deck. THURMOND DEPOT Phone - 304-465-8550 Location - From the Glen Jean exit on Route 19, go left for .5 miles on Route 16/61 to Glen Jean. Turn right, cross bridge, then take next two left turns, following signs to Thurmond. In 6.5 miles, at a three way intersection, bear slightly left and up hill to the bridge. Cross the bridge and park in front of Thurmond Depot, the yellow building. Closures - Flood damage repairs are still underway on area roads and railroad lines, so visitors should use extra caution and expect short delays. Special Programs - Walking tours, hikes Exhibits - Restored passenger depot, historic furnishings, exhibits of interaction between coal mining and railroading. Available Facilities - Across the river are hiking and mountain biking trails. Nearby Dunglen Day Use Area has picnic tables, picnic shelter, and river access.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near New River Gorge National River.   Campgrounds Near New River Gorge National River: Alpine Adventures, Bradley, 3 miles away Plum Orchard Lake, Scarbro, 4 miles away ACE Adventure Center, Minden, 5 miles away Appalachian Wildwaters Campground, Oak Hill, 6 miles away Mountain State Travel and Trl Pr, Glen Morgan, 7 miles away Canyon Rim Ranch, Fayetteville, 8 miles away Songer Whitewater, Hico, 8 miles away   Hotels Near New River Gorge National River: Days Inn of Mount Hope, Mount Hope , 4 miles away Holiday Lodge, Oak Hill , 5 miles away Comfort Inn New River, Oak Hill , 7 miles away Fairfield Inn Beckley, Beckley , 7 miles away Howard Johnson Express Inn - Beckley, Beckley , 7 miles away Courtyard Beckley, Beckley , 7 miles away Econo Lodge Beckley, Beckley , 7 miles away   Ski Areas Near New River Gorge National River: Winterplace, West Virginia , 17 miles away, 603 foot drop, 9 lifts, 27 runs Snowshoe, West Virginia , 86 miles away, 1500 foot drop, 14 lifts, 57 runs The Homestead, Virginia , 89 miles away, 700 foot drop, 5 lifts, 9 runs   Whitewater Near New River Gorge National River: Dunloup Creek, Fayette County , 2 miles away, Class III-IV - 6 miles long (Harvey to New River at Thurmond) Arbuckle Creek, Fayette County , 5 miles away, Class III-IV - 3.7 miles long (Oak Hill to New) New River, Fayette / Raleigh County , 5 miles away, Class II-III - 15 miles long (McCreery to Thurmond) New River, -blank- County , 6 miles away, Class I-III - 7 miles long (Thurmond to Cunard) Paint Creek, Fayette County , 7 miles away, Class II-IV - 4.6 miles long (Laurel Grove Church to Mossy)   Public Lands Near New River Gorge National River: Bluestone National Scenic River, Glen Jean - WV , 0 miles away Gauley River National Recreation Area, Glen Jean - WV , 0 miles away Little Beaver State Park, West Virginia , 10 miles away Hawks Nest State Park, West Virginia , 12 miles away Babcock State Park, West Virginia , 14 miles away Camp Creek State Park, West Virginia , 20 miles away   Golf Courses Near New River Gorge National River: Saddlebred Golf Club, Beckley , 8 miles away Grandview Country Club, Beaver , 9 miles away Bridge Haven Golf Club, Fayetteville , 9 miles away Beaver Creek Golf Club, Beaver , 10 miles away Glade Springs Hotel & Conference Resort, Daniels , 11 miles away   Lakes Near New River Gorge National River Plum Orchard Lake, Fayette County , 6 miles away Little Beaver Lake, Raleigh County , 10 miles away Stephens Lake, Raleigh County , 12 miles away