In the heart of Southern West Virginia, the New River Gorge offers a rich blend of rugged outdoor adventure and down-home Appalachian hospitality, served fresh in charming small towns. Here, wild rivers carve through deep gorges, endless trails crisscross ancient mountains, and every bend in the road leads to a hidden culinary gem.

The New River Gorge became America's newest national park in 2020, recognizing the exceptional natural and cultural values of this remarkable landscape. The park encompasses 70,000 acres of gorge, forest, and river, with the New River at its heart.

The New River is one of the oldest rivers in North America — geologists estimate it is between 3 and 65 million years old, making it one of the few rivers in the world that predates the mountains it flows through. The river's Class III-V rapids attract whitewater enthusiasts from across the country, and the gorge's sandstone cliffs are among the most celebrated rock climbing destinations in the eastern United States.

The New River Gorge Bridge — the longest single-arch steel bridge in the Western Hemisphere — is the centerpiece of the annual Bridge Day festival, held every October. On this one day each year, the bridge is closed to traffic and opened to pedestrians, BASE jumpers, and rappellers who descend from the bridge's 876-foot height.

Bridge Day draws more than 100,000 visitors and is one of the largest one-day festivals in the United States.

The town of Fayetteville serves as the gateway to the New River Gorge and has evolved into one of West Virginia's most vibrant small cities. The downtown features excellent restaurants, craft breweries, outdoor gear shops, and galleries that reflect the community's adventurous spirit.

For the complete Southern West Virginia picture, see our Southern West Virginia Travel Guide and Summersville Lake guide — crystal-clear blue water just 30 minutes from the gorge. Also explore Southern West Virginia's outdoor adventure and Appalachian flavor for more on the region's food scene.