Brochure

New River Gorge National Park Service U.S. Department o f the Interior National Park and Preserve West Virginia v For most of its course—and much of its recent history—New River has served the human needs of the southern Appalachian region. Within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, it creates a world of its o w n — 5 3 j | B j | £ miles of Whitewater and wild beauty. Sunrise over New River ALL PHOTOS-NPS/ GARY HARTLEY UNLESS OTHERWISE CREDITED N E W R I V E R IS N O T N E W . It is one of the oldest rivers in the w o r l d , older than the Appalachian Mountains themselves. Here at the gorge, the river cuts through the Appalachian Plateau. I Some exposed rocks j are as old as 330 million years. ; rHinit-iHH. TOPPER Human history, wild habitat, and spectacular natural beauty converge in this protected stretch of New River and its extended family, Bluestone and Gauley rivers. Famous for sport fishing and Whitewater rafting, the rivers and surrounding landscape offer hidden delights for those who venture off the beaten path—coal mines that fueled the age of steam, rails and roads that opened this remote country to industry, and trails that lead to a blanket of spring wildflowers or a limitless horizon. THREE RIVERS New River Gorge National Park and Preserve For centuries this part o f N e w River was inaccessible t o most people. In 1873 t h e railroad arrived, making it possible t o ship coal t o t h e outside w o r l d . Towns like T h u r m o n d sprang u p and t h r i v e d . In t h e last century people started t o come t o experience o n e of t h e nation's premier Whitewater stretches—the elevation drops 750 f e e t in 50 miles. New River Gorge National River was established in 1978 t o preserve this freef l o w i n g waterway. N o w millions of visitors enjoy t h e natural scenery and many activities. In 2020 it was redesignated a national park and preserve t o f u r t h e r protect its many recreational o p p o r t u n i ties a n d natural treasures. The N e w River g o r g e is h o m e t o over 1,500 species o f plants and animals. Virginia big-eared and Indiana bats are a m o n g t h e endangered species. In a w o r l d of d w i n d l i n g natural habitats, m i g r a t i n g neotropical birds d e p e n d o n this protected place f o r breeding. ©JOHNDENGLER Taking on the Gauley Gauley River National Recreation Area, established in 1988, includes 25 miles o f Gauley River and 5 miles of M e a d o w River. Expert boaters rank Gauley a m o n g t h e best W h i t e w a t e r rivers in t h e w o r l d . D r o p p i n g more t h a n 668 f e e t t h r o u g h rugged t e r r a i n , t h e river's complex stretch o f W h i t e w a t e r has over 100 rapids w i t h a steep gradient, technical runs, a high volume o f water, a n d huge waves. Gauley offers Whitewater boatJin g ^ f i s h i a g ^ j h u r i t i n g ^ c a m p i n ^ picnicking. Next t o t h e recreation area is Summersville Dam, w h i c h regulates t h e f l o w o f Gauley River and causes its o u t s t a n d i n g fall W h i t e w a t e r season. Thurmond Historic District Sandstone Falls NFS / MARK M'JSE Scarlet tanager Bluestone National Scenic River, established in 1988, is named f o r t h e deep blue limestone riverbed o f its upper reaches. The river has carved a g o r g e 1,000 f e e t deep near w h e r e it meets New River. Hundreds of species t h r i v e in several diverse Appalachian habitats. Bluestone Turnpike, a riverbank road f o r those w h o f a r m e d and logged t h e area, is n o w a trail t h a t hikers, bikers, and horseback riders use t o reach this undeveloped, remote park. Floating the Bluestone River NPS/W1L1AMSTRASSER HUdiiuuneu mining structure TjgMBL Great rhododendron in Nuttallburg •" Great blue heron | O N AND OFF THE WATER Boating New River is big and p o w e r f u l but always runnable t o experts. The Lower Gorge has some of t h e most tech- Fishing and Hunting Catch bluegill, catfish, and bass in New River's w a r m waters. Hunt turkey, deer, and squirrel feet high. Most of t h e over 1,400 established routes are rated 5.9 or higher and require climbing expertise. nical rapids, f r o m Class III t o V difficulty. Outfitters run trips April t h r o u g h October. Visit t h e park website f o r details o n logistics and conditions. in t h e preserve's forests. West Virginia fishing and h u n t i n g licenses are required. Hiking and Mountain Biking Trails range f r o m 0.25 t o 8.6 miles and vary Climbing The New River gorge's hard in difficulty. Trail maps are available. sandstone cliffs range f r o m 30 t o 120 Biking Arrowhead Trail Climbing Bridge Buttress Hiking Turnpike Trail Rafting New River bT.AFt PHOTO X-V. X •.EO . pTP i. •"Spanning New River near Fayetteville is New River Gorge Bridge. At 876 feet, it is the L "third-highest bridge in the US. Explore New River Gorge In 2020 New River Gorge National River became New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. This change further protects the spectacular features and traditional recreational opportunities of this natural and recreational treasure. Visitor Centers Canyon Rim and Sandstone have information, exhibits, program schedules, bookstores, and picnic areas. Sandstone is open seasonally. Thurmond Historic District In the early 1900s this railroad boomtown generated the most freight revenue on the C&O Railway. The restored 1904 depot is a park visitor center (open seasonally). Grandview This area is known for its scenic overlooks and trails, spring rhododendron displays, and outdoor theater. The visitor center is open seasonally. Sandstone Falls An accessible boardwalk leads to river-level views of the largest falls on New River, which span 1,500 feet. Trails Hike to old coal towns, waterfalls, geological formations, and views of the gorge. Mountain biking and horseback riding are allowed on some trails. Trains Industrial trains run daily through the park and a passenger train comes through three days a week. Stay away from all access roads and tracks. River Recreation Licensed outfitters run river trips AprilOctober. Ask at a visitor center or check the park website. New River also has some of the state's best fishing. A West Virginia fishing license is required. Bluestone National Scenic River, south of Hinton, protects a pristine area of the Bluestone River. Gauley River National Recreation Area, north of Canyon Rim Visitor Center, is known for its rugged beauty, Whitewater, and fishing. Accessibility We strive to make facilities, services, and programs accessible to all. For more information, ask a ranger, call, or visit the park website. State Parks Within or near the park are seven West Virginia state parks: Hawks Nest, Carnifex Ferry Battlefield, Babcock, Bluestone, Little Beaver, Camp Creek, and Pipestem Resort. More information is at wvstateparks.com More Information New River Gorge National Park and Preserve PO Box 246 104 Main St. Glen Jean, WV 25846 304-465-0508 www.nps.gov/neri www.nps.gov/blue (Bluestone) www.nps.gov/gari (Gauley) Follow us on social media. Stay Safe and Protect the Park Federal law protects all natural and cultural features in the park. Do not disturb or collect wildlife or historic objects. • Beware of decaying structures and industrial remains. • Wear a life vest or personal floatation device (PFD) while on the water. • For a full list of park regulations, including firearms information and hunting seasons, visit the park website. Explore More Use the official NPS App to guide your visit. Select "save this park" to use offline. Emergencies call 911 or contact a park ranger Area Information Visit Southern West Virginia 800-847-4898 www.visitwv.com New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Bluestone National Scenic River, and Gauley River National Recreation Area are three of over 400 parks in the National Park System. Go to www.nps.gov for information. • National ParkFoundation. Join the park community. www.nationalparks.org I GPO:2021 415 165/82795 Last updated 2021 Unpaved road Much of the land within the National Park Service areas remains private property; please respect the owners' rights. Lodging Campground Primitive campsite g I Rapids The degree of difficulty varies from rapid to rapid and with water level. River users should consult with an experienced river runner or ranger before attempting river running.