National Park, West Virginia

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Hours, fees, directions, map, and the stops that use your time well.

No entrance feeBridge viewsWhitewater and rim trailsNear Fayetteville

Start with the facts

Hours, fees, and directions

If you are already going, start here. The rest of the page helps you spend the day well.

Park hours

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve access patterns vary by season, weather, and transport
Visitor centers and staffed services follow separate schedules
Remote units can close to practical access when weather turns
Always recheck official conditions the morning you go
Build buffer time for ferries, planes, and road delays

Official operating hours · Current conditions

Fees and passes

This park does not charge a standard entrance fee as of this draft.

Pass	Price	Use
Park entrance	Free	No entrance fee as of this draft
Special tours / transport	Varies	Ferry, cave, or boat may charge
America the Beautiful	$80	Useful at other federal sites

Special activities, ferries, or local services can still cost money.

Official fees and passes

Directions

Pick the approach by lodging and transport around Fayetteville and Lansing.

Canyon Rim area: Best first visit default.
Fayetteville side trailheads: For Endless Wall and town services.
River level access points: For rafting and bridge views from below.

Default map target for a first visit: New River Gorge Bridge Canyon Rim.

Google directions

Official directions

Facts checked for this draft: July 15, 2026. Recheck official NPS pages before you leave.

Map

Where the park sits

Use this for orientation. For driving, use the gate that matches your day and recheck road status.

Centered for a first visit near Fayetteville and Lansing. Remote districts can be a full logistics day apart. Official park maps

The New River Gorge Bridge over a deep forested canyon at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Where to go

Places that use your time well

You already chose New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Use this to decide where the day goes.

Canyon Rim Visitor Center viewsAllow 45 to 90 minutesClassic bridge overlook start.

Long Point TrailAllow 2 to 3 hoursRim hike to a bridge viewpoint.

Fayette Station RoadAllow 1 to 2 hoursScenic drive descending toward river level.

Endless Wall TrailAllow 2 to 3 hoursCliff edge walking with careful footing.

River rafting dayAllow full dayGuided whitewater is a core seasonal draw.

Canyon Rim

Use Canyon Rim early in the plan

Start with the bridge view, then pick one trail.

Official plan your visit

Endless Wall

Give Endless Wall real time

Stay back from unfenced edges.

Current conditions

Which gate

Match the entrance to your day

Canyon Rim area

Best first visit default.

Fayetteville side trailheads

For Endless Wall and town services.

River level access points

For rafting and bridge views from below.

Official entrance directions

Landscape view in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Stay overnight

Camping facts

Inside the park

In park camping may be limited or boat and permit based
Book through Recreation.gov when listed
Remote parks often require full self support
Weather can strand visitors past planned exit days
Always have a mainland or gateway backup plan

Reserve on Recreation.gov

Official camping page

Outside the park

Gateway bases cluster around Fayetteville and Lansing. Use outside lodging when park sites are full or access is weather limited.

All Deep Arrival destinations

When to go

What changes by season

Spring

Shoulder access in many units with variable weather and services. For New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, recheck road, boat, or trail status because shoulder weeks can flip access overnight.

Summer

Peak access for boats, ferries, and high country where applicable. For New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, recheck road, boat, or trail status because shoulder weeks can flip access overnight.

Fall

Cooler air and thinner crowds after school peak in many lower 48 parks. For New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, recheck road, boat, or trail status because shoulder weeks can flip access overnight.

Winter

Shorter days, limited transport, and possible full seasonal closures for remote units. For New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, recheck road, boat, or trail status because shoulder weeks can flip access overnight.

Detail view in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Before you hike

Safety and conditions that change the day

Local planning risks include Cliff edges, river hydraulics, and wet trail rock. Read the official conditions page for New River Gorge National Park and Preserve the morning you go and keep a backup plan that still uses the day well.

Stay on marked trails and follow ranger instructions in wildlife areas. Read the official conditions page for New River Gorge National Park and Preserve the morning you go and keep a backup plan that still uses the day well.

Transport cancellations change everything at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Build buffer days for ferries and flights. Read the official conditions page for New River Gorge National Park and Preserve the morning you go and keep a backup plan that still uses the day well.

Official conditions and alerts

Conditions

Recheck access before you lock transport

Key local risks include Cliff edges, river hydraulics, and wet trail rock. Official alerts beat any fixed itinerary.

Skip these

Mistakes to avoid

Underestimating transport time

Ferries, gravel roads, and flights own the schedule.

Skipping official conditions

Weather can erase a remote day overnight.

Arriving without reservations

Boats, tram tickets, and camps fill early.

Treating every unit as a short stop

Some districts need their own day or expedition.

Ignoring water and weather kits

Island, arctic, and desert parks punish thin packing.

Assuming fees never change

Always recheck the official fees page.

Sources checked

Official and supporting references

Use these to confirm live hours, fees, road status, and reservation rules before you leave.

NPS park homeOfficial park overview and start page.

NPS operating hoursPark open status and facility schedules.

NPS fees and passesEntrance fees and pass options.

NPS directionsEntrances and approach notes.

NPS conditions and alertsTemporary closures and hazard notes.

NPS mapsOfficial park and area maps.

Recreation.govCampground and special reservations when required.

NPS campingIn park camping rules and links.

Staying over? Compare hotels for this trip at Expedia.

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FAQ

Common planning questions

What are the hours at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve?

Canyon Rim Visitor Center and other contact points keep posted hours. Rim trails and overlooks are often available longer than buildings. River outfitters run on trip schedules. Recheck visitor center hours and any trail closures after storms or ice. For New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, use official conditions the morning you go so the plan matches live access.

Is New River Gorge free?

There is no standard entrance fee as of this draft. Guided rafting, climbing guiding, and some parking patterns can still cost money. Confirm official fee notes if any special facility charges apply. For New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, use official conditions the morning you go so the plan matches live access.

What should I do on a first visit?

Start at Canyon Rim for the bridge view and orientation, then choose either a rim hike such as Long Point or Endless Wall, or a Fayette Station Road drive toward river level. Do not try every trailhead in one afternoon. The bridge view alone is not the whole park.

How long do I need?

Three to five hours covers rim overlooks and one solid trail. A full day is better with a longer rim hike or a rafting add on. Multi day trips make sense if rafting is the centerpiece. For New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, use official conditions the morning you go so the plan matches live access.

Do I need reservations?

Rafting trips and weekend lodging in Fayetteville book out in peak whitewater and fall color seasons. Day hiking usually does not need a pass reservation. Reserve the scarce commercial trip first. For New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, use official conditions the morning you go so the plan matches live access.

Is it good without hard hikes?

Yes. Canyon Rim views, short walks, and scenic drives deliver a strong visit. Endless Wall and longer rim routes add exposure and effort. Stay back from unfenced cliffs for photos. For New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, use official conditions the morning you go so the plan matches live access.

When is the best time to visit?

Fall color is famous and crowded. Spring and early summer bring strong river trips depending on water levels. Winter can be quiet with icy overlooks. Summer is lush and busy on weekends. For New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, use official conditions the morning you go so the plan matches live access.

Where should I sleep?

Fayetteville is the classic base for food and trail access. Lansing sits close to Canyon Rim. Book early for bridge day events and peak fall weekends. For New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, use official conditions the morning you go so the plan matches live access.