When the New River Gorge was designated a National Park in 2021, we immediately saw a huge influx of travelers who were interested in expanding the list of national parks they had visited. Many of these travelers seemed more interested in a quick trip to get their National Park Passport stamped than truly experiencing the New River Gorge.

While quick trips are fun, many of our guests have told us they regret not staying longer. They were surprised that there was so much to do and see. So, how much time should you invest in your New River Gorge trip? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But whether you are looking for adventure, nature, history, or culture, our 7-day sample itinerary will help you plan a perfect visit to America’s newest national park.

Home Base – Fayetteville, WV

Fayetteville, often named on lists of America’s coolest small towns, is loaded with small-town charm and has a unique vibe due to its proximity to the outdoor adventure playground that is the northern section of the New River Gorge National Park. Situated literally on the rim of the New River Gorge, Fayetteville is the gateway to the park and the only town with its own National Park trailhead (and many other trailheads within 5-10 minutes of town).

Boasting more great local eateries than a town of less than three thousand should reasonably have, most are conveniently located in a walkable historic downtown. Fayetteville is also close to all the major features in the northern section of the park, and it is a convenient starting point for day trips to all the others. This makes Fayetteville the ideal place to base your New River Gorge adventure.

Plus, Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals is in downtown Fayetteville, WV. The historic building that houses our four modern vacation rentals is within walking distance of all the good stuff. Book 5 nights at Lafayette Flats and save 25% as part of our New River Gorge Explorer Package (itinerary, discount & free trail guidebook).

Itinerary Day 1 – Northern NRG National Park

Morning

Start your day with delicious Croissant French Toast at Cathedral Café, an iconic Fayetteville eatery. After breakfast set off on a trek on one of the most beautiful trails in all the National Parks, Endless Wall Trail. From the Fern Creek trailhead, this trail leads you through a lovely hemlock forest before taking you to the very rim of the Gorge. At Diamond Point Overlook, as you stand atop the towering cliffs that line the New River for as far as the eye can see, you’ll understand why it is called “The Endless Wall.” Because of the popularity of this trail, it’s best to visit on weekdays or very late on weekend afternoons.

After your hike, stop at the National Park’s Canyon Rim Visitors Center. Inside are exhibits that tell the story of the New River Gorge, its people, and the bridge that connects it all. Take the walk down the steps to the bridge overlook for another unique view of this amazing structure!

Afternoon

By now you will have worked up an appetite. Visit nearby Swiftwater General Store for traditional West Virginia style hotdogs (chili, slaw, mustard & onion) or one of their other yummy lunch offerings. Cross back over Route 19 to Bridge Walk for a jaw-dropping tour that takes you across a catwalk UNDER the New River Gorge Bridge (the highest arch bridge in the western hemisphere – 876 feet above the river). Make sure you’ve booked ahead of time, online.

Evening

After a busy first day, treat yourself to dinner at another Fayetteville institution, Secret Sandwich Society. SSS boasts of a fantastic array of unique sandwiches and salads (Shawn recommends the Velvet Burger, and Amy suggests the Eleanor salad), and don’t miss their Key Lime Pie for dessert.

After a delicious dinner, take the historic drive through the Gorge on Fayette Station Road. Once the only way to cross the New River for 20 miles in either direction, this road takes you down a narrow mountain road with many switchbacks, under the New River Gorge Bridge, and over the river on the Tunney Hunsaker Bridge for a classic photo-op. You’ll want to park at the bottom in the Fayette Station parking area to get out and explore the area along the Fayette Station Rapid where you can watch rafters and kayakers brave the class IV whitewater.

Back in your car, continue through the Gorge and up the opposite side. Make a stop at the Kaymoor Trailhead and take a short walk across the Wolf Creek footbridge up to Kaymoor Trail Falls, a beautiful cascade so close to the trail that you can reach your hand into the spray. If you are up for another hike, you can continue along the mostly-level Kaymoor Trail for 2 miles to the old mine, abandoned more than 60 years ago.

Itinerary Day 2 – Central NRG National Park

Morning

No trip to West Virginia would be complete without breakfast from Tudor’s Biscuit World, a regional staple where you can feast on delicious breakfast sandwiches made with homemade buttermilk biscuits (Amy recommends the Mary B, and Shawn prefers the Thundering Herd). There are several Tudor’s around the Gorge. The one in Beaver, WV is closest to today’s activities.

After a hearty breakfast, we recommend hiking the Glade Creek Trail. Start this 5.6-mile trail from the Upper/Beaver trailhead. This allows you quick access to the gorgeous waterfall, Kate’s Falls. The very short (.2 miles) but steep spur to the waterfall is marked about 1.1 miles from the Upper Glade Creek trailhead.

Afternoon

Head over to the Grandview Dinner for lunch before entering back into the Grandview area of the New River Gorge National Park. As the name implies, the view from the main overlook at Grandview is astonishing. It is easily accessible and worthy of the itinerary alone, but the area also boasts several wonderful trails along the rim of the gorge with magnificent vistas of their own.

The Castle Rock Trail meanders along the bottom of a phenomenal wall of sandstone cliffs. On top of those cliffs, the Grandview Rim Trail takes the high road all the way to the Turkey Spur Overlook where you get a 270-degree view of the double-bend of the New River over a thousand feet below.

Evening

If you like live theater, consider staying at Grandview and adding an evening of outdoor drama to your itinerary. During the summer, Theatre West Virginia presents professional stage productions under the stars in the scenic Cliffside Amphitheater. Two of the rotating shows, Honey in the Rock and The Hatfields and McCoys, portray stories from West Virginia’s history as musicals. An evening here is a perfect ending to a day of New River Gorge adventuring.

If you plan to take in the show, you’ll need to grab dinner first. The best place to do this is The Dish Café in nearby Daniels, where you can have a great farm-to-table dining experience in a relaxed atmosphere and be back in time for the curtain.

Itinerary Day 3 – Southern NRG National Park

Morning

Head out on a day trip to the southern end of the National Park. First stop, Sandstone Visitors Center, about an hour’s drive from Fayetteville. This facility does a great job of interpreting the New River Gorge for visitors through visual displays about the geology, natural history, and human interaction with the river. A replica of a batteau, the boats formerly used to transport people and goods through the treacherous waters of the Gorge, sits outside the center and provides a tangible connection to travelers from another era.

Don’t miss the Sandstone Falls Overlook and Brooks Falls Overlook on Rt. 20 between the visitors center and Sandstone Falls. The bird’s eye view of the waterfalls really adds to your appreciation of them once you’re up close and personal. But before heading to Sandstone Falls, stop in the lovely historic small town of Hinton, WV to have lunch at Lucky Rivers Cafe.

Afternoon

Next up, the main attraction! Sandstone Falls, a 1,500-foot-wide series of ledges that span the river from bank to bank, is about a 30-minute drive from the visitors center, and well worth the trip. A lovely boardwalk connects the parking area to several islands from which to view the falls, which makes it a perfect spot for people of all abilities to spend time enjoying nature and listening to the thunderous roar of the untamed river.

Nearby, the National Park Service has preserved two historic former subsistence farms. The Richmond-Hamilton Farm sits along the river road that leads to Sandstone Falls. The other, much more remote but worth the 25-minute side trip, is the Trump-Lilly Farm. Sitting high on Freezeland Mountain overlooking the upper New River Gorge, this farm was first settled in pioneer days and still contains many of the original structures like the farmhouse, several barns, and sheds. Rarely visited, it is one of our favorite places to spend time, so we added it to this itinerary.

There is also a great National Park trail in the immediate area. Big Branch Trail is strenuous, but the spring wildflowers, waterfalls and ruins of an old farmstead make it totally worth it.

Evening

After dinner at The Market on Courthouse Square in Hinton (their fries are outstanding), head over to Dairy Queen for a sweet treat. Now you may be thinking, “if you’ve been in one Dairy Queen, you’ve been in them all.” But we assure you, the Hinton Dairy Queen is different. The food is the same but the view from the dining room is unbelievable! Stop by and see for yourself.

Itinerary Day 4 – Adventure (Greater Fayetteville Area)

Morning

Make your New River Gorge trip more memorable with whitewater rafting! Cross the Big Bridge to Lansing, where you will get on the bus to Cunard for a half-day trip through the lower New River Gorge with Adventures on the Gorge. You’ll experience the splendor of the wild river and bond with your boatmates as you paddle your way through the rapids and enjoy a riverside buffet lunch as well!

We hear from a lot of guests that they are a little nervous about taking a whitewater rafting trip. Our advice is don’t be! The whitewater guides in our area have a great safety record and there are several different trips designed for varying levels of excitement. But if there’s no getting past the nerves, don’t worry, there are other awe-inspiring guided tours to add to your itinerary:

• Tree Top Canopy Tours – Aerial thrills as you glide from tree to tree through a hemlock forest.
• New River Gorge Eco Tours – Private guided forest walks where you experience nature and learn about the natural and human history of the New River Gorge.
• Paddleboarding with Mountain Surf Paddle Sports – Guided tours of many NRG locations.
• Wild Blue Adventure – Explore the area in a Stearman Biplane (with or without aerobatics).
• Rock Climbing – Learn from experienced mountain guides.

Afternoon

Explore one of the most interesting areas in the park by hiking the Kaymoor Trail. This long but mostly flat trail parallels the middle of the gorge and takes your through the old Kaymoor Mine with its fascinating ruins. Start at the Cunard Road Trailhead or Kaymoor Top Parking Area (the Wolf Creek/Fayette Station Road Trailhead is EXTREMELY crowded).

If you want to challenge yourself, take the Kaymoor Miner’s Trail to the former mining town at the bottom of the Gorge. It’s 821 wooden steps. But remember, only add this stop to your itinerary if you’re able to hike back up! Note: the directions to this trailhead take you to the Kaymoor Top Parking Area that we mentioned above.

Evening

Back to Fayetteville for a great dining experience at Pies and Pints. Known for its delicious artisan pizzas and craft beer selection, this is the original location of what has grown into a regional chain. Try the Grape & Gorgonzola pie (or the Heirloom Tomato pie if it’s in season) with a pitcher of locally brewed lager or root beer from Bridge Brew Works, an award-winning brewery that’s just minutes from downtown Fayetteville. You can also visit the brewery for a nightcap and enjoy their great indoor/outdoor biergarten where they often host live music.

Day 5 – North of the New River

Morning

Make the drive down to Nuttallburg, a former mining complex and company town that is now a major feature of New River Gorge National Park. The road to Nuttallburg through Keeney’s Creek gorge is stunning with several roadside waterfalls, and the National Park’s interpretive displays will lead you through the ruins of the mine, once owned by Henry Ford. We recommend the leisurely walk to Seldom Seen, the site of a former town just downstream from the main Nuttallburg complex.

Afternoon

Enjoy lunch at Gran Robbie’s in Ansted, WV (they have great coffee too), before heading to one of our fabulous state parks just 15-30 minutes north of the New River.

• Babcock State Park – You can pose for a selfie in front of the iconic Glade Creek Grist Mill, rent a boat or kayak for a paddle on the picturesque Boley Lake, or hike one of the many gorgeous trails.
• Hawks Nest State Park – Get more iconic views of the New River Gorge or hike one of our favorite trails, the Hawks Nest Rail Trail. Before the New River Gorge National Park existed, this was the premier location for viewing the Gorge.
• Summersville Lake – This absolutely gorgeous recreational lake has great boating, kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming opportunities.

Evening

Enjoy a leisurely evening in Hico, WV which is close to all the state parks mentioned above. There you will find The Freefolk Brewery and Ample Pizza. What better way to end the day that hanging out in an outdoor beer garden enjoying wood-fired sourdough pizza.

Day 6 – Fayetteville, West Virginia

Morning

Break your fast at Wood Iron Eatery. This cozy café in a historic Fayetteville house has many unique breakfast offerings and is a local favorite. Try the Handheld or the Loaded Napoleon Tots.

After breakfast set off on a trek to one of the National Park’s most photographed vistas, Long Point. It’s only a five-minute drive from town to the easy-to-find trailhead, and then an easy 1.6-mile hike to the stunning view of Gorge with the historic New River Gorge Bridge front and center!

Afternoon

For a tasty and healthy lunch, try The Takeout in Fayetteville, where you can choose your flavor and whether you want it on a sandwich, wrap, or a bowl. We like the Bahn mi-inspired Pacific, either on brioche (Shawn’s fave) or in a sushi bowl (as Amy prefers). Oh, and they have ice cream too!

After lunch, peruse the shops in downtown Fayetteville. Make sure to visit Lost Appalachia Trading Company for unique art and apparel, and Waterstone Outdoors for gear and gifts. Grab a well-crafted coffee at Rangefinder before heading to Love Hope Center for the Arts to take in some local art.

Evening

Stop in Southside Junction and Taphouse for dinner (the Hot Chicken Sandwich is our fav) and drinks before retiring to your flat just one away to enjoy West Virginia Art Collection at Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals.

Itinerary Day 7 – New River Gorge Culture & History

Morning

Up for some history? Make the 20-minute drive to Thurmond, a once bustling railroad town along the New River, its abandoned yet preserved “Commercial Row” gives visitors a unique view into early 20th-century industrialization. The National Park Visitors Center is located in the old train depot, which still has passenger service on Amtrak’s Northeast Cardinal with service to Chicago and Washington DC.

On your way out of Thurmond, look for the roadside Dunloup Falls, one of the many stops on the West Virginia Waterfall Trail in the New River Gorge region. Continue driving to Oak Hill, WV for lunch at Mandabee’s, a downtown cafe with some tasty Appalachia classics like peperoni rolls and chicken livers.

Afternoon

Make the short drive to Beckley, WV to visit Tamarack Marketplace – “The Best of West Virginia,” Tamarack is a showcase of handcrafts, fine art and regional cuisine. In addition to the retail marketplace, it has working studios for resident artisans, a fine art gallery, a theater, and a food court.

Do not miss the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine where you can take a deep dive into the history of coal mining. This unique living museum has an underground mine tour (led by former miners) and a recreated coal camp. It’s very well done and absolutely fascinating.

Evening

While Beckley is home to mostly chain restaurants, there are a few locally owned gems. The local favorite for nice dining and special occasions is The Char with its throw-back supper club vibe. We also recommend Pasquale’s for old-school Italian with all the traditional dishes you would expect.

The National Park is Only the Centerpiece

While New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a worthy destination by itself, its proximity to other state and national recreation areas makes it a particularly attractive vacation spot. In addition to the three West Virginia State Parks we mentioned above (Hawks Nest, Babcock and Summersville Lake), these itinerary-worthy locations are nearby:

• Gauley River National Recreation Area (for hardcore fall rafting)
• Carnifex Ferry State Park
• Bluestone National Scenic River & Bluestone State Park
• Pipestem Resort State Park
• Little Beaver State Park
• Plum Orchard Lake

Have we convinced you to spend more than just a weekend in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve? If so, click here to get a special discount code for booking 5 or more nights at Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals in downtown Fayetteville, WV.

Who are we? Amy & Shawn, New River Gorge hikers, Master Naturalists, and owners of Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals in downtown Fayetteville, WV in the heart of the New River Gorge National Park.

Craving more data for your New River Gorge exploration? Read “New River Gorge Waterfalls You Can Drive to” and “What the Media Gets Wrong About New River Gorge National Park.“