Fall In New River Gorge National Park – Your Getaway Guide

Looking for the perfect fall getaway destination? In my opinion, New River Gorge National Park doesn’t get the recognition it deserves for being an ideal choice for a weekend away, especially in autumn. Maybe you haven’t heard of this gem of a park in West Virginia. That’s okay, we’ll cover what makes New River Gorge National Park worth visiting.

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Interesting Facts About New River Gorge National Park

• Established in 2020, New River Gorge National Park is the newest National Park in the United States.
• You can walk underneath the New River Gorge Bridge, one of the park’s most popular attractions.
• New River Gorge is the deepest gorge in the Appalachian Mountains.

Things to Know Before Your Fall Visit to New River Gorge National Park

There are 4 Visitor Centers in the park: Canyon Rim, Thurmond Depot, Grandview, and Sandstone. We opted to spend the day in the area around Canyon Rim, but if you have more time in the park, I’ve listed some things to check out near the other areas as well.

• Canyon Rim
  • Offers views of the New River Gorge Bridge from the Upper & Lower Bridge Overlooks
• Thurmond Depot
  • Situated in the historic railroad town of Thurmond
• Grandview
  • Views of the deepest part of the gorge
• Sandstone
  • Green design visitor center at the south end of the park

Best Things to Do in New River Gorge National Park (Not Just in the Fall)

Check Out Some of the Many Scenic Overlooks

• The Upper & Lower Bridge Overlooks near the Canyon Rim Visitor Center offer great views of the iconic New River Gorge Bridge.
• The Main Overlook near the Grandview Visitor Center offers views of the deepest part of the gorge.

Take a Bridge Walk Tour

The tours last approximately three hours and take you along the maintenance catwalk underneath the New River Gorge Bridge. This was by far our favorite experience while we were in the park. It was unlike anything I’d ever done before, and something not to be missed when you visit. You can schedule a tour here.

Take a Hike

Admittedly, we didn’t end up having time for much hiking on our trip as we wanted to check out some other sites outside of the park as well. These would have been my picks if we had had more time.

• Long Point Trail – Offers scenic views of the New River Gorge Bridge
• Sandstone Falls – Leads to the largest waterfall on the New River
• Grandview Rim Trail Loop – Hike along the sandstone walls

Drive Fayette Station Road to the River Below.

This scenic drive was a highlight of our visit only second to the Bridge Walk. Do not miss this when you visit. The views speak for themself, and the autumn color was splendid in October.

Looking For More Adventure?

New River Gorge National Park is a great destination for white water rafting and rock climbing.

Beyond the Park – A Quick Stop By Babcock State Park

As mentioned earlier, we decided to cut our time in the park short because we wanted to make time to visit Babcock State Park to enjoy the fall foliage. And wow. It did not disappoint. We only had a few hours to spend here, but it made for the perfect serene close to our weekend. There are cabins available in the park, and I’d love to book a stay someday when we are back in the area.

Things To Do In Babcock State Park

• Take in the iconic view of the Glade Creek Grist Mill
• Stroll on the shore of Boley Lake
• Enjoy a Scenic Drive or take a hike