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.
Fire managers for the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia are preparing for four prescribed fires between February 25 and May 31, weather permitting. Plans include burning four separate units ranging from five to 45 acre, according to Julena Campbell, public affairs officer for the National Park Service in southern West … Read more
UPDATE Jan. 23, 2018: Following the enactment of the continuing resolution, staff at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Bluestone National Scenic River, and Gauley River National Recreation Area have resumed regular park operations. All roads, trails, campgrounds, and river access points are open and accessible, 24 hours a day, weather permitting, according to Julena … Read more
Through mid-December, officials at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park will perform routine maintenance along approximately 70 miles of perimeter boundary, according to Andrew Lee, resource management specialist for the National Park Service. The purpose of the project is to make sure park property is well-marked, which, in turn, will provide greater protection for plants, animals … Read more
Officials say a moonrise walk that attracted a record number of hikers to the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia last week could indicate that attitudes toward recreation locally are changing. Eighty-nine participants turned out for a two-mile walk on the Endless Wall Trail, surprising officials who are accustomed to leading groups of several … Read more
Construction on the Long Point Trail—one of the most popular trails in the national park system in southern West Virginia—has been scheduled to close parts of the 1.6-mile route on mid-week days through September. Once complete, the trail to a rocky overlook of the New River Gorge will include improved parking, interpretive signage, raised wooden … Read more
The most highly visited area in the national park system in southern West Virginia, the boardwalk at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, near Fayetteville, West Virginia, will close in stages for repair beginning June 14. More than 320,000 visitors walk the boardwalk and stair system each year to access views of the gorge near the … Read more
Rangers at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park on May 26 will open a new exhibit that explores the evolution of the park’s lofty Camp Hill neighborhood. “A Landscape through Time: The Historical Development of Camp Hill” investigates the history of the summit over more than 200 years as part of the community and national park. Camp … Read more
The National Park Service is recruiting volunteers to assist in staffing its visitor center at Grandview, near Beckley, West Virginia, this summer in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, according to National Park Service officials. The center is open daily in summer from noon until 5 p.m., and ideal volunteers will able to … Read more
A new report issued by the National Park Service indicates 1,347,957 visitors to national parks in southern West Virginia spent $58,604,300 in nearby communities in 2016. That spending supported 877 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to local economies of $67,089,900, according to Lizzie Watts, superintendent of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, … Read more
Defined by its cliff-lined rim, the spectacular New River Gorge is the centerpiece of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in southern West Virginia, one of three areas of national parkland in the Appalachian Mountains there. David Sibray surveys the gorge from Beauty Mountain, a cliff that affords a good vantage of the … Read more
