New River Gorge ranks among best national parks in autumn

OAK HILL, W.Va.—America’s newest national park now also ranks among the best national parks in the U.S. for fall foliage, according to Best Life magazine.

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve was named among the six best parks in which travelers may witness autumn in all its glory, according to Becky Sullivan, executive director of the New River Gorge Convention and Visitor Bureau.

“The gorge truly is one of the best places to witness fall,” Sullivan said of the recognition.

“The national park is easily accessible from much of the east-central U.S., and autumn is long and wildly colorful here.”

The magazine ranked the New River Gorge park alongside Acadia National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Zion National Park, and North Cascades National Park.

Sullivan said the park in southern West Virginia provides the best fall foliage views in mid-to-late October.

She said some of the best views could be found at the New River Gorge Bridge at Fayetteville, West Virginia.

Spectacular views at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, at the bridge’s north end, include gorge and bridge overlooks.

Unlike many other national parks, admission to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is free.

For a fee, BridgeWalk is also a thrilling way to experience a bird’s-eye view of the gorge from the catwalk underneath the bridge.

Celebrated every third Saturday of October, during Bridge Day, pedestrians, rappellers, and parachutists are permitted on the bridge, which spans the gorge more than 700 feet above the New River.

For more information, read the article: The 6 Best U.S. National Parks to See Fall Foliage .