New River Gorge National Park

New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia, established as the United States' newest national park in December 2020, protects more than 70,000 acres along one of the oldest rivers on the continent. The New River slices through the Appalachian Plateau, carving a gorge that drops 1,400 feet over 53 miles — a dramatic landscape of forested ridges, sandstone cliffs, and whitewater rapids. Visitors explore the park through dozens of established trails, ranging from short walks at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center to multi-day backpacking routes along the Grandview Rim. The park features six visitor centers and ranger stations: the Canyon Rim Visitor Center near Fayetteville offers the closest views of the New River Gorge Bridge, while the Grandview area provides sweeping panoramas of the river 1,400 feet below. Rock climbing is a major draw — the New River Gorge climbing area is internationally renowned, with more than 1,400 established routes on sandstone cliffs near Fayetteville. Class III–V whitewater rapids draw rafters and kayakers from across the country, especially the upper gorge section. The park's old-growth forest and sandstone outcrops provide excellent wildlife viewing: black bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and over 100 bird species inhabit the gorge. Bridge Day, held annually on the third Saturday of October, is one of the few occasions when pedestrians walk across the 876-foot-high New River Gorge Bridge and BASE jumpers legally leap from it. Most trails in the lower gorge are best explored on clear mornings before afternoon haze sets in. A typical day visit includes stops at Canyon Rim and Grandview, a short hike, and views of the bridge. Multi-day visitors can access backcountry camping areas with a free permit from the park.