New River Gorge National Park Live Webcams

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History of the Park

New River Gorge National Park is 53 miles (85 km) long and is just downstream of Hinton, West Virgina.   On November 10, 1978, President Carter, signed legislation establishing the park within the NPS System. President Trump designated the park as the 63rd national Park. The park is 7,021 acres while 65,165 acres is a national preserve.  The preservation of the New River Gorge began in the 1960s and 1970s, when environmentalists, rafters, and climbers advocated for the protection of the river and its surroundings.

The New River is one of the oldest rivers in North America, dating back to at least 65 million years ago. It carved out the gorge through layers of sandstone, shale, and coal. The first humans to inhabit the area were Native Americans, who used the river as a transportation route and a source of food and resources. They also left behind rock art, burial mounds, and stone tools.

The arrival of European settlers in the 1700s brought changes to the land and the native cultures. They cleared forests, built farms, and traded with the natives. They also faced conflicts with the natives and the British during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. The Industrial Revolution transformed the New River Gorge in the 1800s and early 1900s. The construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway along the river opened up the area for coal mining, timber harvesting, and tourism. The gorge became home to dozens of boomtowns, where thousands of workers and their families lived and labored. The towns had schools, churches, stores, hotels, and even theaters. The decline of the coal and timber industries in the mid-1900s led to the abandonment of many of the towns and the loss of jobs and population. The gorge became a place of ruins, where nature reclaimed the land and the buildings. Some of the towns, such as Thurmond and Nuttallburg, are now preserved as historic sites.  For more information, please go to Wikipedia.

Day Hikes and Backpacking

 Day Hiking in New River Gorge National Park is a great way to explore the natural and cultural wonders of the park. There are 100 miles (160 km) trails for all levels of difficulty and interest, from easy boardwalks to challenging climbs. Here are some of the most popular and scenic hikes in the park, along with their distance, elevation gain, and trailhead information.

Endless Wall Trail is one of the best hikes in the park, offering stunning views of the gorge and the bridge. The trail follows the cliff edge, passing through forests and crossing Fern Creek. The trail is moderately challenging, with some steep and rocky sections. The distance is 3.2 miles (5.1 kilometers) round trip, with an elevation gain of 370 feet (113 m). The trailhead is located at the Fern Creek parking area on Lansing-Edmond Road.

Long Point Trail is a spectacular hike that leads to a viewpoint overlooking the bridge and the river. The trail is mostly flat and easy, with some minor ups and downs. The distance is 3.2 miles (5.1 km) round trip, with an elevation gain of 200 feet (61 meters). The trailhead is located at the Long Point parking area on Gatewood Road.

Kaymoor Miners Trail is a historic hike that descends to the remains of the Kaymoor coal mine and town. The trail is very steep and strenuous, with 821 steps to the bottom. The distance is 1.6 miles (2.6 km) round trip, with an elevation loss and gain of 800 feet (244 m). The trailhead is located at the Kaymoor Top parking area on Kaymoor Road.

Glade Creek Trail is a scenic hike that follows the Glade Creek, a tributary of the New River. The trail passes by waterfalls, rapids, and rock formations. The trail is easy to moderate, with some stream crossings and muddy sections. The distance is 5.6 miles (9  km) one way, with an elevation gain of 200 feet (61 m). The trailhead is located at the Glade Creek parking area on Glade Creek Road.

Grandview Rim Trail is a family-friendly hike that offers panoramic views of the gorge and the river. The trail is mostly level and smooth, with some boardwalks and stairs. The distance is 1.6 miles (2.6 km) round trip, with an elevation gain of 100 feet (30 m). The trailhead is located at the Main Overlook parking area in Grandview.

Thurmond-Minden Trail is a historic hike that connects the ghost towns of Thurmond and Minden, which were once thriving coal communities. The trail is an old railroad grade, which is flat and easy. The distance is 3 miles (4.8 km) one way, with an elevation gain of 100 feet (30 m). The trailhead is located at the Thurmond Depot parking area in Thurmond.

Backpacking

Backpacking in New River Gorge National Park is a rewarding way to experience the wilderness and history of the park. According to the NPS website, there are only three trails that are suitable for overnight backpacking trips in the park. They are:

Glade Creek Trail follows the Glade Creek, a tributary of the New River, from its confluence with the river to the Glade Creek Campground. The trail passes by waterfalls, rapids, and rock formations. The trail is easy to moderate, with some stream crossings and muddy sections. The distance is 5.6 miles (9 km) one way, with an elevation gain of 200 feet (61 m). The trailhead is located at the Glade Creek parking area on Glade Creek Road. There are several backcountry campsites along the trail, but they are not marked or maintained. You need to find a suitable spot that is at least 100 feet (30 m) away from the trail, the creek, and any historic structures.

Kates Plateau Trail climbs up to the Kates Plateau, a highland area that offers views of the gorge and the river. The trail is steep and strenuous, with some switchbacks and rocky sections. The distance is 3.2 miles (5.1 km) one way, with an elevation gain of 1,200 feet (366 m). The trailhead is located at the Kates Falls parking area on Kates Falls Road. There are no designated campsites on the plateau, but you can find some flat areas that are suitable for camping. You need to camp at least 100 (30 m) feet away from the trail, the edge of the plateau, and any water sources.

Polls Plateau Trail also ascends to a highland area, the Polls Plateau, which is adjacent to the Kates Plateau. The trail is moderately challenging, with some gradual and steep sections. The distance is 2.4 miles (3.9 km) one way, with an elevation gain of 800 feet (244 m). The trailhead is located at the Polls Plateau parking area on Polls Plateau Road. There are no designated campsites on the plateau, but you can find some flat areas that are suitable for camping. You need to camp at least 100 feet (30 m) away from the trail, the edge of the plateau, and any water sources.

Rafting

 The New River originates in North Carolina and flows north through Virginia before charging into the steeper, cliff-lined section in West Virginia known as the New River Gorge. Estimated to be between 10 and 360 million years old, the New River is younger only than the Nile River in Egypt. Over millions of years, the New River has carved the sandstone bedrock of West Virginia, creating a remarkable landscape that is both rugged and beautiful. 

The river runs over 50 miles (80 km)in the park.  The “Gorge” is broken up into two sections.  The top section has pools and is not as difficult as the lower section that has Class III to Class IV. The section of the river from Hinto to Thurmond offers challenging Class I, II and III rapids and is suitable for intermediate whitewater paddlers.  The lower section below Thurmond is only for advanced or expert paddlers. Current river levels are available at the USGS site.  For more information visit the NPS Site.

Commercial Whitewater Companies offer a variety of trips, from half day to overnight. 

Scenic Drives

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers some stunning scenic drives that allow you to soak in the natural beauty of this remarkable area. Remember to take your time, stop at overlooks, and immerse yourself in the stunning vistas and rich history of the park.   A map is available at the NPS Site.

New River Gorge Scenic Drive is a circular route encircles the heart of the park and is approximately 83 miles (133.6 km) long. The drive includes a mix of interstates, divided highways, and two-lane roads. Along the way, you'll encounter both broad vistas and glimpses of the past and present. Two visitor centers, Canyon Rim and Sandstone, provide interpretation of the park's natural and historic resources.  The Canyon Rim Visitor Center is perched on the gorge rim, offering views of the New River, its gorge, and the iconic New River Gorge Bridge. Fayette Station Road, a mostly one-lane road, winds down under the bridge and provides insights into mining history and life in the gorge. Don't miss the chance to see Fayette Station Rapid and watch rafters and kayakers ending their whitewater adventures. Throughout the drive, you'll encounter traces of the past, including foundations, ruins, and abandoned roads.

Grandview Overlooks: Enjoy beautiful views of the New River rushing below.

Sandstone Visitor Center to Nuttallburg: Explore the Nuttallburg tipple and railroad tracks.

Glade Creek Grist Mill and Babcock State Park: Discover picturesque landscapes within the park.

Campgrounds

The park offers a variety of camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. All are first-come, first-served. Most offer picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. Visit the NPS Site for more information.

Army Camp Campground is in the central to southern part of the park near the Grandview Visitor Center and the New River.   The campground has 11 sites.  Composting toilets are available year-round.

Glade Creek Campground sites near the banks of the New River and Glade Creek.  It has 11 sites, 6 walk-in sites and 5 drive in sites. Composting toilets are available year-round.

Meadow Creek Campground has 26 sites and is tent only.  This campground is near the railroad tracks.  Expect some train noise. Composting toilets are available year-round.

Grandview Sandbar Campground is in the woods near the New River.  The campground has 16 sites, 10 drive in sites for RVs and 6 walk-in tent sites.  The road to the campground is tight and is not suitable for large RVs. Composting toilets are available year-round.

Stone Cliff Beach Campground is tent only and has 7 sites. Composting toilets are available year-round.

War Ridge/Backus Mountain Campground is located on a ridgetop near Backus Mountain.  There are 8 drive in sites for tents and RVs.  RVs are limited to 25 feet (7.5 m). There are no toilets in the campground.

Brooklyn Campground is a tent only campground and has 5 sites.  Portable toilets are available year-round.

Thayer Campground is a tent only campground and has 4 sites.  There are no toilets available in the campground.

Gauley Tailwaters Campground has 18 sites suitable for RVs and tents.  Vaulted toilets are available year-round.