New River Gorge National Park, located in southern West Virginia, protects a rugged landscape carved by one of North America’s oldest rivers. The centerpiece is the New River itself, renowned for its world-class whitewater rafting and kayaking opportunities. Dramatic sandstone cliffs and forested hillsides invite rock climbers, hikers, and wildlife watchers to explore miles of scenic trails and overlook points. The iconic New River Gorge Bridge, a steel-arch engineering marvel, spans the gorge, offering panoramic views and serving as a beloved state landmark. Beyond recreation, the park also preserves the region’s coal-mining heritage, historic railways, and small Appalachian communities, connecting modern visitors with the area’s natural richness and cultural roots.
We decided to make a quick detour and stop at New River Gorge National Park while returning from North Myrtle Beach. I’m not used to parks being so crowded, but still, the park was clean and enjoyable. Samantha had trouble going up and down the steps, but the views were worth it! We drove across the bridge 3 times. The park building had a nice little movie about the history and an area were the kids could touch and feel items and explore. Really nice picnic areas and me and the kids had fun scanning different plants and trees using my phone to see what they were. It was a perfect few hour stop and I’d like to stop there again sometime.