The New River is geologically older than the mountains it cuts through, having predated the uplift of the Appalachian range.
The New River Gorge Bridge was completed in 1977, reducing a 40-minute winding drive to a 60-second trip across the canyon.
The park is home to the endangered Virginia big-eared bat and the rare Appalachian blue ghost firefly.
On the third Saturday of October, the bridge is closed to vehicle traffic for Bridge Day, the state's largest single-day event.
The gorge's sandstone cliffs are composed of Nuttall Sandstone, which provides high-quality edges and cracks for rock climbing.
The river's flow is regulated by the Bluestone Dam, which influences water levels for recreational rafting.
The canyon was once site to over 50 coal mining communities, most of which were abandoned by the mid-20th century.
Despite its name, the New River is considered one of the oldest in the world, with some estimates dating its path back 300 million years.
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve protects over 70,000 acres along a 53-mile section of the ancient New River. The park is defined by the 3,030-foot New River Gorge Bridge, which remains one of the world's longest single-span steel arch bridges. The New River is geologically one of the oldest rivers in North America, flowing northward through a deep, rugged V-shaped canyon. Visitors utilize the area for whitewater rafting, which ranges from Class I to Class V rapids depending on water levels. Rock climbing is a major activity, with over 1,400 established routes located on the gorge's sandstone cliffs. The park preserves historical remnants of coal mining boom towns that thrived in the canyon during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Hiking trails offer extensive access to the gorge rim and riverbank terrain. The area serves as a significant biodiversity corridor within the Appalachian Mountains.
The Long Point Trail offers a panoramic vantage point of the New River Gorge Bridge.
Check the daily water release reports if you plan on kayaking or rafting.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear if exploring the rocky, uneven terrain near the river banks.
Visit the Canyon Rim Visitor Center first for orientation and to view the bridge from the overlook boardwalk.
Do not attempt to scramble down the steep, unmarked canyon walls to reach the river; use designated trails to prevent erosion and injury.
The park is open year-round, though some secondary gravel roads may close during winter weather; Bridge Day occurs annually in October.
Practice Leave No Trace principles; keep dogs on a six-foot leash at all times; do not disturb historical mining structures.
