New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

About New River Gorge

A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities.

From the National Park Service.

Entrance fees

This park has no entrance fee.

Reservations

NPS lists no entry reservation for this park as of October 26, 2026. Campgrounds and tours may still need booking.

Weather and seasons

Weather in the Appalachian Mountains can be unpredictable and can change quickly. Always be prepared for the possibility of sudden storms. Weather in the mountains is often cooler and wetter than the surrounding area. On average, the warmest month is July. The maximum average precipitation also occurs in July.

Hours

The park itself is open 24 hour a day, year round. The park's two main visitor centers at Canyon Rim and Sandstone are open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day). There are two seasonal Visitor Centers located in Thurmond and Grandview. They are typically open Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Getting there

To reach Park Headquarters take Route 19 North from Beckley to the Glen Jean exit. Upon exiting Rt 19, make an immediate left turn. At the next intersection, turn right. Park Headquarters will be straight ahead on the right. GPS Coordinates for Headquarters: 81.15587W, 37.92775N PLEASE NOTE: Third party search and map apps may direct you to an potentially inaccessible area of the park with no amenities or rangers stations. Please refer to the Visitor Center or Park Headquarters addresses for directions.

Campgrounds

• Army CampFirst come, first served
• Brooklyn CampgroundFirst come, first served
• Burnwood Group Campsite
• Glade Creek CampgroundFirst come, first served
• Grandview SandbarFirst come, first served
• Meadow Creek Campground
• Stone CliffFirst come, first served
• Thayer CampgroundFirst come, first served
• War Ridge/Backus Mountain CampgroundFirst come, first served

Webcams

• Canyon Rim Webcam

Visitor centers

• Grandview Visitor Center
• Thurmond Depot Visitor Center
• Canyon Rim Visitor Center
• Sandstone Visitor Center

Alerts

• Information: Burnwood Campground and Restroom Closure
• Information: Rend Trail Closed through December 2027
• Information: Kaymoor Miners Trail Closure

As of October 26, 2026. Current alerts on nps.gov

Sources

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve fees on nps.gov. Prices, park information and photos from the NPS Data API, checked October 26, 2026. Photos credited to the National Park Service.