New River Gorge National River Active and Adventure Vacations

New River Gorge National River Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Other Guides for New River Gorge National River

Active and Adventure Destinations Near New River Gorge National River

Mid-Atlantic Active and Adventure States/Provinces

Active and Adventure Travel Destinations
Meadow Creek Waterfall in the New River Gorge, West Virginia
Meadow Creek Waterfall in the New River Gorge, West Virginia??(courtesy, National Park Service)

New River Gorge National River Active and Adventure Highlights

By Travel Expert: Alistair Wearmouth

  • Raft the roiling New River, which cuts through the Allegheny Mountains in a 750-foot, 50-mile-long freefall through the New River Gorge from Bluestone Dam to Gauley Bridge. The upper portion, actually in the south, mixes long pools (good for fishing, too) with runnable Class III rapids. Things get more raucous at the lower portion of the New, with some wild Class III-V rapids. Run the river with Wildwater Expeditions, the region's foremost outfitter.
  • Scale the hard-sandstone cliffs in the New River Gorge, home to more than 1,400 established climbing routes with difficulty levels that range from 5.9 to 5.12. Pitches range from 30 to 120 feet in length, with a mix of face and crack routes. The climbing season runs from April through November. Visit New River Mountain Guides in Fayetteville for gear, guides, and classes.
  • Take a bike ride on the Brooklyn to Southside Junction Trail, a popular multiuse trail that follows the New River along an abandoned railway line. This six-mile trail takes in views of the river and gorge, plus some historic mining encampments and its share of endo-inducing rocks and roots.
  • Roll into town for the New River Gorge Bridge Day, an adrenaline-charged festival held on the third Saturday in October (coinciding with the last weekend of the Gauley rafting season). This is the world's biggest BASE jumping event; more than 100,000 spectators crowd the 1,700-foot main span of the New River Gorge Bridge (the longest steel arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere at 3,030 total feet) to watch 377 daredevils from ten countries leap 876 feet into the abyss.
  • Hike the Bluestone Turnpike Trail, a moderate 10.5-mile route that connects Pipestem Resort State Park with Bluestone State Park. This hike offers shady stands of birch and sycamore, the calming company of the Bluestone River, and several cooling swimming holes.


Hotels

expert favorite hotel
Opossum Creek Retreat
PO Box 221
Lansing, WV 25862
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 16.4 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
compare hotel rates expert favorite hotel
ACE Adventure Center
P.O. Box 1168
Oak Hill, WV 25901
Hotel Class: 3 class stars
Distance: 8.2 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
Country Road Cabins
P.O. Box 44
Hico, WV 25854
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 18.7 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
All New River Gorge National River Hotels
advertisement

Great Hotel Deals in New River Gorge National River, WV

compare rates

Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Brooklyn to Southside Junction Trail
c/o New River Gorge National River, P.O. Box 246
Glen Jean, West Virginia 25846
Distance: 5.4 Miles (from destination center)
Description:

The Brooklyn to Southside Junction Trail is... Read More

Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
expert favorite attraction
Wildwater Expeditions
P.O. Box 155, US 19 & Milroy Grose Rd.
Lansing, West Virginia 25862 Map
Distance: 14.2 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Wildwater Expeditions is a small outfitter... Read More
Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
expert favorite attraction
New River Gorge Bridge
Fayette County
Map
Distance: 13.4 Miles (from destination center)
Description:

The New River Gorge Bridge is the world's... Read More

Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
All New River Gorge National River Attractions

Feature Articles

More New River Gorge National River Active and Adventure Feature Articles (12)
See All Feature Articles on New River Gorge National River

Trip Ideas

GORPTravel Trips

See All GORPTravel Trips

New River Gorge National River Active and Adventure Travel Guides

Climbing: Paddling:
» All Active and Adventure Guides
advertisement
take me fishing
Select a state:
advertisement

Travel Interest Guides

spring driving guide
Spring Driving Guide
Top itineraries, family-friendly asphalt-obsessed exploration, global four-wheel touring, tips, photos—it's all here.
interactive gift guide guide
Interactive Gift Guide
Surprise your active-minded, travel-obsessed mom with some of the best gear ever profiled in Outside magazine.
family guide
Family Guide
Our esteemed travel experts have chosen the best places, hotels, and attractions to make your summer family outing the best ever.
beach guide
Beach Guide
Whether you dive, kiteboard, windsurf, or just strive to perfect the art of sun-bathing, our experts have got the spot.