Summary
$0
Entrance fee
Live
New River gauge
1 live
Camera
Historic Crowd Data
Avg. monthly visitors, 2015–2024 · National Park Service
Light
Moderate
Busy
Very Busy
Peak season is June–August, when around 44% of annual visitors arrive. For lighter crowds, aim for November–March.
Plan Your Visit
Water, Climbing & Gorge SafetyWhitewater, cliffs▾
Park EntryNo entrance fee▾
New RiverLive USGS gauge▾
New River Gorge BridgeBridge Day, Oct▾
Canyon Rim Visitor Centerbest bridge view▾
Overlook Boardwalk
Short walk to the classic postcard view of the bridge and gorge
Bridge Day3rd Saturday in October▾
BASE Jumping Event
The only day BASE jumping off the bridge is permitted — one of the largest extreme-sports gatherings in the world
Things to Do6 categories▾
Hiking Trails3 highlights▾
Long Point TrailModerate
Gentle walk through field and forest to a rock outcrop with the classic panoramic view of the New River Gorge Bridge; one exposed cliff-edge section near the end
1.6 mi one-way
Endless Wall TrailEasy–Mod.
Cliffside path through rich forest, crossing Fern Creek and zig-zagging along the rim with sweeping views nearly 1,000 ft above the river
2.4 mi one-way
Park Trail System~100 mi total
Nearly 100 miles of trails wind through the gorge, from short overlook walks to longer backcountry routes
Rock Climbing3 notes▾
Established Routes1,400+ routes
Over 1,400 established climbs on sandstone cliffs lining the gorge, most rated 5.9 and harder
Best SeasonLate Apr–mid-Jun & mid-Sep–late Oct
Climbing happens year-round, but cooler, drier conditions make late spring and fall the most popular windows
Motorized DrillsPermit required
Use of motorized drills for bolting is by permit only
Whitewater Rafting3 notes▾
Upper (Southern) NewClass I–III
Big, powerful river with long pools and relatively easy rapids; runnable year-round
Lower Gorge (Northern New)Class III–V
Large boulders and powerful currents through the Lower Gorge — among the biggest whitewater in the East
Guided & Private TripsSeason: Apr–Oct
NPS doesn't run its own tours; a number of licensed commercial outfitters offer guided trips, and experienced boaters may paddle independently
Mountain Biking3 notes▾
Trail Network~65 mi open
About 65 miles of park trails are open to bikes, ranging from rail-trail cruising to technical singletrack
Arrowhead Trail13.0 mi
The longest bike-legal trail in the park
Long Point Trail (bike)1.4 mi rideable
Same corridor as the hiking route; bikes must be walked the final 0.2 mi to the overlook
Fishing3 notes▾
LicenseLicense + trout tag
West Virginia fishing license required (annual or 3-day tourist option); a trout tag is required for trout
SpeciesWarm-water & trout
Smallmouth, largemouth & striped bass, walleye, muskellunge and catfish in the New River; tributaries stocked with trout
Catch-and-Release WaterC&R zones
Glade Creek (trout) and the New River from the I-64 bridge at Sandstone to Grandview Sandbar (black bass) are catch-and-release only
Bird WatchingTop 5 species▾
Belted Kingfisher
Dives along the New River
Peregrine Falcon
Nests on the gorge cliffs
Ruffed Grouse
Drums in the forest understory
Wild Turkey
Common in the wooded gorge
Pileated Woodpecker
Drums through the Appalachian forest
CampingFree, primitive▾
Park Contact Information