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 […]

Following the moon helps us better understand nature and the place we call home, but the traditional full moon names fall short. Created long ago for an entire continent, many reference forests that never existed or are long gone in West Virginia. So we created new full moon names inspired by what we actually experience […]

Grandview: While the view is indeed grand, there is much more to appreciate about this section of New River Gorge National Park than just the dramatic vista of its main overlook. Here’s all the info you need to include Grandview in your NRG itinerary.

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, […]

The best way to truly experience the New River Gorge National Park is to take the trails less traveled. By avoiding the most popular hiking areas – and other humans – you are much more likely to see wildlife, find undisturbed flora, and experience the natural rhythms of the forest. Here are five less traveled […]

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 […]

Most visitors to New River Gorge National Park miss the rich natural and cultural layers that make this place truly extraordinary and worth preserving. To understand its full story, we have to look beyond history, into prehistory. In this post, we offer a broad overview of the Gorge’s fascinating past with a suggested hike at […]

Thoreau said it best: “A taste for the beautiful is most cultivated out of doors.” While we have strived to make the interior spaces of Lafayette Flats as beautiful and comfortable as possible, we are at our core, outdoor people. Most every weekend for us includes at least one walk in the woods, whether hunting […]

Our handy photo guide will provide all the insider info you need to easily find the most photogenic locations in the New River Gorge National Park.