The New River Gorge, in West Virginia, is America’s newest National Park. The New River Bridge is 3,030 feet long, 876 feet tall, and is the longest single arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere. To put the size of this bridge in perspective, the Statue of Liberty, Gateway Arch, and Space Needle are all shorter in height than the bridge. So if you are a fan of having nature and architecture make you feel small, the New River Gorge is the place for you.
As always, one of the most important parts of a successful trip is planning, but you can’t plan aspects like weather, injuries, or other accidents. This is why it is important to carry the 10 essentials as well as the appropriate hiking and camping gear to ensure you are prepared for any situation.
Why visit the Gorge?
One of the reasons I like to visit the Gorge is because it is the closest National Park, outside of Ohio, to home. West Virginia is the only state in which every county is considered an Appalachian County. Think about how many mountains that means this state holds. Last but not least, the New River is one of few rivers in the entire world that flows South to North. If these reasons are not enough to convince you, I encourage you to read further and enjoy the photos of what this beautiful park has to offer.
Canyon Rim Visitor Center
The first stop you should make when you get inside the park is the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, but don’t worry, there is no fee to enter this park. Make sure to grab any trail maps and park information you need from the Rangers while you are here. After that you can take a walk down the boardwalk and some flights of stairs to arrive at a spectacular view of the bridge and the New River flowing underneath. I highly recommend coming here to take your iconic photos and to absorb the sheer beauty of the Gorge. Then it’s time for adventure!
Endless Wall trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Time: 1.5 hours
You can’t go wrong with any hiking trail at the Gorge, but some hikes are definitely more welcoming than others. Therefore I would recommend hiking the Endless Wall trail first. This is not too far from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and is a relatively easier trail. The length of this trail is 2.4 miles one way, so 4.8 miles if you do the whole thing out-and-back. Along the trail there are several spots to stand near the edge of the “endless wall” and truly take in the beauty of the river and mountains. I highly suggest sitting down, putting your phone away, and just taking a few minutes to take in all the views.
Long Point Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 320 feet
Time: 1.5 hours
Arguably one of the most popular trails in the National Park is Long Point Trail. This trail is perfect for sunrise or sunset and is perfect for hikers of any age and experience level. I highly recommend bringing a headlamp with you on this trail if you are hiking in the dark to watch a sunrise. It is about 3 miles round trip and is an out-and-back style trail, but there is minimal elevation gain throughout the hike. Once you reach the end, you are rewarded with a head on view of the New River Gorge Bridge.
Grandview Rim to Turkey Spur Rock
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.2 Miles
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Time: 1.5 hours
If you are looking for a slightly more challenging hike, then Grandview Rim is the perfect trail. I say this is a moderate rated trail because depending on the direction you go, the trails can be steep and there are steps that can be very slippery and dangerous. The trailhead is a slightly further drive away from most of the park attractions, but I promise it is worth it. One of the prettiest views of the New River is from the overlooks along this trail. Don’t just take my word for it, look at the photos and see for yourself. This is another out-and-back style trail with a distance of about 3.2 miles. From my experience, this is a less crowded trail that is either due to its distance away from most park activities, or due to its very small parking lot. I would not recommend driving a large vehicle here just in case there are a lot of visitors at your time of visitation.
Sandstone Falls
Difficulty: Very Easy
Length: 1 mile
Elevation Gain: 50 feet
Time: 30 minutes
It wouldn’t be a National Park visit without some sort of waterfall, right? Well I got you covered. Sandstone Falls is a hidden gem I’ve never heard of until recently. This is a perfect spot for sunset and enjoying some time by the water. Be aware that if you type in Sandstone Falls into your GPS, it may take you to the Sandstone Falls Overlook up on the mountain, which is about a 45 minute drive away from where the parking lot is to be down on the water. So if you want to be next to the falls, make sure you are going to the Sandstone Falls Boardwalk. The boardwalk is only about a quarter mile long, so if you go out-and-back it is a pretty easy half mile stroll. If you are feeling extra adventurous, you can follow a trail off the boardwalk and walk out onto the rock on the river. I did this to take some photos of myself with the falls.
Conclusion
The New River Gorge will always be one of my favorite National Parks. If you are looking for stunning mountain views, beautiful hiking trails, and just an overall new experience, the Gorge is a must visit. There is plenty more to explore here than what I mention in this blog, so feel free to do some research and explore on your own to find what speaks to you.
