New River Gorge in West Virginia

One of America’s newest National Parks

Article and Photos by: Steve Blume, Tiffin Ambassador

Carved by time and framed by the wild beauty of West Virginia’s Appalachian highlands, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is where rugged cliffs meet the swirling currents of one of the oldest rivers on Earth. One of America’s newest national parks, it was officially designated in December 2020, but its story was written long before human history began. Despite its misleading name, the New River is estimated to be over 300 million years old, older than the Appalachian Mountains, cutting a deep, dramatic gorge through layers of ancient stone.

The New River Gorge Bridge, the shining star of this new national park, is a marvel of engineering. Completed in 1977, it transformed a 40-minute drive into less than a minute. Towering 876 feet above the New River, it is a breathtaking sight and one of West Virginia’s most iconic landmarks. Stretching 3,030 feet across the canyon, it was once the world’s longest steel arch bridge and remains one of the tallest vehicular bridges in the United States. Its 1,700-foot arch elegantly spans the gorge, a striking contrast to the rugged cliffs and untamed river below. Standing beneath it, the sheer scale is staggering—massive steel beams rise like a cathedral of industry, seamlessly blending into the wild, mountainous landscape

The New River Gorge is not just about the bridge. It’s a place where wild beauty and history converge, where the past echoes in the shadows of towering cliffs and tangled forests. Hiking trails wind through the dense Appalachian wilderness, leading to breathtaking overlooks that drop into the vast gorge below. Whitewater rapids thunder through the canyon, carving a path as old as time, attracting adventurers eager to experience some of the best rafting in the country. Among the trees, the crumbling remains of coal towns tell silent stories of a bygone era—rusted rail tracks, weathered foundations, and forgotten streets slowly being reclaimed by nature, reminders of the industry that once thrived here.

Canyon Rim Visitor Center is the perfect place to begin our New River Gorge adventure. Perched right on the canyon’s edge, it delivers panoramic views of the New River Gorge Bridge and the vast, forested canyon stretching below. There are two tiers to the viewing decks. The upper platform provides a big view, and the lower takes you down, where you find yourself looking up at the bridge’s underbelly. The visitor center offers a fascinating look into the gorge’s past and present. Interactive exhibits and a short film tell the story of this ancient river, the towering sandstone cliffs it carved, and the coal towns that once thrived along its banks. It’s a place where history, geology, and adventure all come together.

We take the Fayette Station Road Loop from the visitor center parking lot, a one-way scenic drive that winds down into the heart of the gorge, crossing the New River before climbing back up the other side. A friendly ranger encouraged us to explore the stunning Kaymoor Trail/Wolf Creek Falls trailhead, just a short walk off the road. It has just four parking spots just past a scenic hairpin turn. After crossing a charming little creek and ascending a short hill, we were amazed by one of the most breathtaking waterfalls we’ve ever encountered. A magnificent fifty-foot wall of lush green moss-covered rocks beautifully frames the crystal-clear water as it gracefully cascades down. It was indeed a rewarding experience! Originally part of pre-1977 US Route 19, Fayette Station Road was once the only way to cross the New River Gorge, winding its way down steep canyon walls in a series of tight hairpin turns before reaching the Tunney Hunsaker Bridge at the bottom. Before the New River Gorge Bridge was built, this slow, twisting route took nearly an hour each way—starkly contrasting today’s 30-minute scenic drive. The Tunney Hunsaker Bridge spans the New River at the canyon floor, just above the powerful rapids that attract world-class whitewater rafters. This low-level bridge gives you a rare, up-close perspective of the river and its towering canyon walls. As you begin the climb up the other side, the New River Gorge Bridge comes into view—876 feet above you, an awe-inspiring sight and one of the best spots to fully appreciate the immense scale of this engineering marvel. The road continues its ascent, passing the remnants of old coal towns, their fading foundations now swallowed by the forest, before reconnecting with US Route 19 near Lansing, WV.

Over 40 hiking trails within the park offer various degrees of difficulty and length. With its big overlook, Long Point Trail is an easy three-mile hike that is highly recommended. The Diamond Point Overlook via the Endless Wall Trail is another great one, only two miles long.

A must-see stop in the park is the abandoned town of Thurmond, West Virginia. Once a busy coal depot during its heyday, Thurmond Depot now serves as a visitor center for the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. You can access it via the single-track bridge that crosses the New River. With a population of just five, according to the last census, you can stroll down the empty main street, with many windows boarded up, and imagine what this once-thriving town must have been like years ago.

Although coal trains still pass through, they no longer stop to be filled.

If you’re adventurous and unafraid of heights, consider doing the Bridge Walk, a walk along a catwalk just 25 feet below the road surface. This experience offers a unique, safe, and low-impact adventure as you cross the New River Gorge on North America’s third-highest vehicle-carrying bridge. The Bridge Walk welcomes all eligible participants who can walk 1.5 miles. To participate, attendees must be at least 48 inches tall, 8 years or older, and have a waist size of less than 52 inches. The catwalk is 24 inches wide and has substantial railings for safety. Each tour lasts 2 to 3 hours, and the current rate is $72 per person.

Bridge Day is not just a festival. It’s an experience like no other. It’s West Virginia’s largest single-day festival and one of the world’s most significant extreme sports events. Held annually every third Saturday in October on the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayette County, West Virginia, this is the only day each year thousands of spectators can walk across the bridge and watch as serious BASE jumpers get their chance to fly 876 feet into the Gorge below and rappelers ascend and descend from the catwalk.

On this trip, we are staying at The Outpost in nearby Fayetteville, WV, only two miles from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. It is highly rated and big rig friendly, plus it has cabins if you bring the family along. If you find yourself near West Virginia, take the time to visit one of America’s newest national parks. There is a lot more to explore here than just a bridge.

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New River Gorge Bridge Facts

• longest single-arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere
• 3rd longest single-arch bridge in the world
• 2nd highest vehicle-carrying bridge in the United States
• 5th highest vehicle-carrying bridge in the world
• 3rd highest bridge in the United States
• 13th highest bridge in the world
• on the West Virginia State Quarter
• on a United States postal stamp
• a national landmark in engineering
• listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a significant historic resource
• Bridge Day™ is celebrated on the 3rd Saturday of every October

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