National parks in West Virginia offer visitors spectacular natural beauty and unforgettable outdoor experiences in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. The crown jewel, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, features breathtaking cliffs, scenic river views, and world-class rock climbing and whitewater rafting opportunities. Visitors can hike miles of trails, explore historic towns, and enjoy stunning overlooks that showcase the rugged landscape. Additionally, sites like Harpers Ferry National Historical Park combine rich history with picturesque surroundings, providing a unique blend of cultural and natural attractions. Whether you’re seeking adventure, history, or peaceful nature escapes, West Virginia’s national parks deliver memorable experiences for every traveler.
HINTON, W.Va. — Deep in a forested gorge where the Bluestone River winds, the lost village of “Lilly” was among southern West Virginia’s first frontier communities.The landscape today only hints at a small settlement that had a mighty impact. It was the home of the progenitors of the Lilly, Meador, and Meadows families, who together … Read more
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — A newly released report from the National Park Service shows that visitation and spending in the three southern West Virginia national park units delivered a significant economic boost in 2024.The data indicate that 2,080,330 visitors spent $108,387,000 in the counties surrounding those parks, representing a nearly 12 percent increase compared to … Read more
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — Officials at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia have announced the publication of a collection of oral history recordings of residents and others with knowledge of the park and region are now available for listening and downloading on the park’s website.The recordings include those of individuals … Read more
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — The National Park Service has announced a decision and the release of a “finding of no significant impact” for the proposed demolition of historic structures in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia.The proposal has drawn the ire of state lawmakers and some West Virginians, many of … Read more
SANDSTONE, W.Va. — Sandstone Falls, one of the most spectacular features of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, is rapidly gaining popularity among visitors venturing into West Virginia, offering a rare combination of natural wonder, accessibility, and ecological significance.Located roughly 15 minutes north of Hinton, West Virginia, and more than an hour south … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Nearly all who cross the towering New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia are affected by the journey. Soaring 876 feet above the New River, it affords motorists a vista of one of the most remarkable landscapes in the U.S.But only a few of the millions of tourists who now visit the … Read more
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — Two organizations in West Virginia are working together to identify vandals who spray-painted a famous natural landmark in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Crime Stoppers of West Virginia has joined the Friends of New River Gorge to provide a $1000 reward for information that results in solving the … Read more
SHADY SPRING, W.Va. — Perched more than 1,400 feet above the New River, the panoramic overlooks of the New River Gorge at Grandview offer views of the world-famous gorge at its widest and deepest.The rock outcrops, shaded by rhododendron, highlight why Grandview is one of West Virginia’s must-see attractions and a crown-jewel of the New … Read more
THURMOND, W.Va.—Visiting America’s newest national park? There are countless trails to walk, rocks to climb, and streams to paddle, but there are four places every visitor should see in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in southern West Virginia.According to park ranger Jodi French-Burr, the following four must-see destinations are worth visiting whether … Read more
HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — Economic impacts have nearly doubled in communities surrounding Harpers Ferry National Historical Park over the last decade, according to the National Park Service.Park superintendent Tanya Gossett said that in 2023, more than 427,300 visitors explored the historical park in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle.She said they spent $23.8 million, supporting 319 local … Read more
