Southern New River Gorge National Park

Sandstone Falls Overlook – 7 minutes from Sandstone Visitors Center, this road pull-off offers a view of Sandstone Falls from 600 feet above the river.

Brooks Overlook – 10 minutes from Sandstone Visitors Center, this road pull-off offers a beautiful view of Brooks Island which is home to mating bald eagles.

Worth a Mention: Big Branch Trail – This is a great trail with “peek-a-boo” views of the river from the ridge. The strategic removal of some non-native invasive plants by the National Park Service could create an overlook.

Grandview Area – By hiking the Grandview Rim Trail (easy 1.6 miles), you see three AMAZING overlooks:

• Main Overlook – A very short walk from the Main Overlook parking area.
• North Overlook – Easily accessed from Grandview Shelter #1 parking area.
• Turkey Spur Overlook – 130 steps up from the parking area at the end of Turkey Spur Rd.

West Virginia State Parks with Overlooks (Southern Section)

• Bluestone State Park (Overlooking Bluestone Lake and Bluestone National Scenic River): Overlook Trail and Eagle Point Trail
• Pipestem State Park (Overlooking Bluestone River Canyon): From the Lodge, Bolar Lookout Tower, Canyon Rim Trail, and Others

Northern New River Gorge National Park

Rend Trail – Approximately 1.6 miles from the Thurmond Trailhead is an overlook of the historic Town of Thurmond. There is a second overlook a little farther along the trail that showcases a beautiful bend in the New River. It’s nice to watch the trains coming through this once bustling railroad town.

Kaymoor Top – Near the Kaymoor Miner’s Trailhead, in the Kaymoor Top Parking Area, an old coal complex platform has been turned into an overlook. No hiking is required to reach it.

Kaymoor Trail – Less than a half-mile into the Kaymoor Trail from the Fayette Station trailhead, the National Park Service has created a clearing that provides a stunning view. This overlook is several hundred feet directly below the Long Point overlook and offers a different but equally compelling view of the New River Gorge Bridge. There is a second overlook farther along the trail where you can see the river and the former town of Kaymoor. This is a busy trail and Fayette Station trailhead parking is limited. You can also access it from the other end (near Cunard) for a longer hike, or from Kaymoor Top parking area.

Fayette Station Road – You may be wondering why we have an entire road listed on an overlook list. Drive it and you will see! This old road provides numerous vistas and vantage points on both sides of the Gorge. Large vehicles, RVs, and vehicles with trailers should not take this road.

Bridge Buttress – Only .5 mile after getting on Fayette Station Road, you will find a small parking area on the left and stone stairs on the right. This is a short but strenuous trail that requires climbing wooden steps and steep inclines. You will need to use the installed rope to help yourself walk up one particularly steep section. This is a busy climbing area and should be accessed only during off peak hours.

Long Point Trail – The iconic view that awaits hikers at the end makes this one of the two most visited trails in the park. After approximately 1.5 miles of hiking, the trail ends at a long, thin rock outcropping that overlooks the New River Gorge Bridge. This is a very busy trail. Visit on weekdays or off hours (early morning or late evening).

Canyon Rim Visitors Center – This visitors center near Fayetteville, WV offers incredible views from both inside and outside the facility. Make sure to visit the back porch for a great view of the river, and check out Canyon Rim Boardwalk for a great view of the bridge.

Endless Wall Trail – This is one of the most popular trails for a reason. After a short hike under the forest canopy, the trail parallels the rim of the New River Gorge providing many breathtaking overlooks. This is a very busy trail. Visit on weekdays or off hours (early morning or late evening).

Beauty Mountain – A lovely area with very limited parking. This section of public land closes 30 minutes after sunset until sunrise per the New River Gorge National Park Superintendent’s Compendium: (36 CFR-Part 1 – General Provision, section B, c.)

Headhouse Trail – While there is not an actual overlook on this trail, there are ample opportunities to see down into the New River Gorge. The trail starts on top of the plateau above the historic coal mining complex of Nuttallburg.

Worth a Mention: Brooklyn Mine Trail – This is currently NOT a great trail. It is covered in invasive plants. But it does have “peek-a-boo” views of the river. The strategic removal of some non-native invasive plants by the National Park Service could create an overlook.

Businesses that are Open to the Public with Overlooks

• Adventures on the Gorge – Chetty’s Pub and Smokey’s on the Gorge
• Ace Adventure Resort – Concho Overlook
• The Burrito Bar at Breeze Hill – Restaurant and Music Venue

West Virginia State Parks with Overlooks (Northern Section)

• Hawks Nest State Park (Overlooking the New River): From the Lodge, Hawks Nest Main Overlook, and Lovers Leap Trail
• Babcock State Park (Overlooking Several Creeks that feed the New River): Island-in-the-Sky Trail, Manns Creek Gorge Trail, and Skyline Trail
• Carnifex Ferry State Park (Overlooking the Gauley River): Patterson Trail
• Summersville Lake (Overlooking the Lake): Long Point Trail, Summersville Dam Viewpoint & Long Point Overlook Along Rt. 129

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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.

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