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The New River Gorge National Park may be best known for its world-class whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and adventure activities but it’s the lush Appalachian forest that makes this place so enchanting. This hardwood forest is ecologically diverse, rich in cultural and natural history, and packed full of recreational opportunities. The New River Gorge National […]
Like many people, we used to schedule most of our outdoor activities during the more temperate times of the year. Visions of verdant landscapes, blooming wildflowers and fruiting mushrooms are what most often lure us into the woods, and those things only happen during spring, summer and fall. A few years ago, though, we challenged […]
Standing on the rim of the New River Gorge, it’s hard to imagine that the deep, narrow, and rocky landscape was once bustling with industrial activities. Read this post to learn how to best explore the remnants of the long-lost coal mining complexes and communities that once filled the Gorge.
Southside Trail is an easy seven-mile riverside trail that provides great views of the New River and passes through several abandoned mining towns. Rush Run, Red Ash, and Brooklyn were all once-bustling communities located along this abandoned railroad line. It’s one of the few trails in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve that […]
Did you just give that title a double-take? It may be because you aren’t used to rivers flowing north; not many do. But the New River does, so head south from Fayetteville to explore the upper section of the New River Gorge. You’ll find a very different landscape upriver. Immediately, you’ll see a much wider, […]
Rail trails are former railroad corridors that have been converted for hiking & biking. These types of trails often have three tremendous advantages over regular hiking trails. First, rail trails often contain substantial infrastructure left behind by the railroad companies, like trestle bridges over creeks. These provide easy access to rugged areas of the forest. […]
Without a doubt, the best view of the New River Gorge Bridge is from the end of the Long Point Trail in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. While it is the Instagram-worthy spot at the trail’s terminus that gets most of the attention, the journey has other merits, and there are a […]
Of all the New River Gorge National Park trails, The Endless Wall Trail has the most character and diversity. From the serenity of an ancient Hemlock forest to the pulse-quickening views from atop the cliffs overlooking the Gorge, it provides the casual hiker with a taste of everything that makes The New River Gorge National […]
Yearning for a fun getaway but nervous about traveling? We get it, and we’re here to help. In this post, you’ll find a list of New River Gorge activities that get you outside in the fresh air and beautiful sunshine. No need to worry about group activities, close quarters, or social interactions. There is plenty […]
Few people truly understand what makes the New River Gorge one of the most special places on Earth. Some folks are simply amazed by the deep cut of the river, the beauty of the gorge itself. Some are surprised by the whitewater and beguiled by the world-class rafting. Others are impressed by the engineering required […]
