camping is available at Drift-a-bit white water.
If you're stopping by New River Gorge National River from Glen Jean, you won't be the only one; dry warm beds await you at New River Inn. If you come at the right time of year, New River offers some tremendous whitewater; why
not stop by nearby Bend Branch while you're here at New River Gorge National River. New River Gorge National River has beautiful nature scenery for your viewing wellbeing.
It's a popular place to get away to for people from Glen Jean. Life's too short to enjoy all the exciting
things right next door to New River Gorge National River. Camping at New River Gorge National River is good fun, Lake Stephens Campground is a good local campground; while you're here, you might as well visit Sweetwood Hollow.
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. FEES/PERMITS
Special Use Permits
PERMITS
$ Varies for One Time
Permits are required for certain business operations, collecting research specimins, commercial photography, film making, display
of commercial notices or advertisements, distribution or sale of printed matter, reservation of Grandview, Dunglen, or Burnwood shelters, special events, public assemblies, and use of Burnwood or Dunglen group camping areas.
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.
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