Try Hickory Branch; Little Beaver Lake is a wonderful lake close by. Just can't get enough of New River Gorge National River. New River Gorge National River is a fine site to visit for more than one day, Alpine Adventures is a fine site to camp nearby; since you might be in a lake
visiting mood you can always stop at nearby Plum Orchard Lake. This place is peerless, just explore all the amusing stuff to do right next door to New River Gorge National River. There's some flowing water close by, Adkins Branch is a stream you can visit while here. You'll
need more than a day to explore everything New River Gorge National River has to offer, you can camp at Plum Orchard Lake. Get your heart beating on the glorious whitewater of New River. There's so much to do here at New River Gorge National River that you need to camp here for
a while, ACE Adventure Center is a wonderful spot for that. New River Gorge National River is a delightful spot that everybody enjoys. So many cool things to do at New River Gorge National River, so little time. Lakes? Sure, Coal Run is close by, and New River Gorge National
River is good enough to spend more than a day at, Appalachian Wildwaters Campground is a good local campground.
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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