Free
Long Point Trail
A trail to a rock outcrop with the classic view of the bridge.
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West Virginia
Fayetteville and New River Gorge
The gateway town to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve: the great steel arch of the New River Gorge Bridge, whitewater rafting, cliff-edge trails, an old grist mill and ghost towns from the coal days.
Photo: New River Gorge Bridge, James McCauley from Enon, OH, United States of America, upload by Herrick, CC BY 2.0
The New River has carved one of the deepest gorges in the East, and in 2020 it became New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Spanning the gorge is the New River Gorge Bridge, a giant steel arch near Fayetteville. Once a year, on Bridge Day, the road closes and BASE jumpers leap from it.
Below the rim, rafters run the whitewater, climbers scale the sandstone cliffs, and trails lead to old coal towns like Kaymoor and Thurmond. Fayetteville itself is a small town of outfitters, cafés and adventurous people. Be adventurous: this place was made for it.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Endless Wall Trail
A rim trail along sandstone cliffs high above the river.
Free
Sandstone Falls
A wide waterfall across the New River, with a boardwalk.
Cheap
Hawks Nest State Park
An overlook above the river, with an aerial tram down to the water. Seasonal tram.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Kaymoor Mine Trail
A trail to the ruins of an old coal mine on the gorge wall.
Free
Bridge Day
The one day each October when the bridge closes to traffic for BASE jumpers and walkers.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
New River Gorge Bridge Walk
Guided walks on the catwalk beneath the bridge deck.
ACE Adventure Resort rafting
Whitewater rafting and outdoor trips in the gorge.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Adventures on the Gorge
Rafting, ziplines and other gorge trips.
Season Main season roughly May–Oct (check before you go).
Part of our West Virginia rivers guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- A rafting trip takes a full day, and the trails take another.
- Sunset from Long Point or the Endless Wall is magical.
- Babcock's grist mill and Sandstone Falls make a scenic second day.
Nearby and worth the drive
Ready-made trips with Fayetteville and New River Gorge
Good to know
- Park: Trails, conditions and Bridge Day: National Park Service.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: New River Gorge Bridge, James McCauley from Enon, OH, United States of America, upload by Herrick, CC BY 2.0
Photo: The New River Gorge Bridge from Long Point, NPS photo/Dave Bieri, Public domain
Photo: Across the gorge to Diamond Point and the Endless Wall, NPS photo, Public domain
Photo: Sandstone Falls, Watts, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Glade Creek Grist Mill, George Neat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Thurmond depot, Bestbudbrian, CC BY-SA 4.0