New
River Gorge National River
 P. O. Box 246,
Glen
Jean,
WV 25846-0246
Phone: (304) 574-2115
A rugged, white
water river, flowing northward through deep canyons,
the New River is among the oldest rivers on the
continent.
Located in southern
West Virginia, New River Gorge National River was
established in 1978 to conserve and protect 53 miles
of the New River as a free-flowing waterway.
 This unit of the
National Park System encompasses over 70,000 acres
of land along the New River
between the towns of
Hinton and Fayetteville. The park and surrounding
area are rich in cultural and natural history, with
an abundance of scenic and recreational
opportunities.
The four visitor
centers, primitive campgrounds, and several dozen
trailheads, and river access points are located
along narrow and winding roads. Allow plenty of time
to travel between locations, and use safe speeds and
courtesy on one lane roads.
The park is open
year-round. Canyon Rim and Sandstone Visitor Centers
are open daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and
New Year's) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Thurmond Depot
and Grandview operate seasonally from Memorial Day
to Labor Day. Thurmond Depot's seasonal hours are
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Grandview is open seasonally
from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM.
Canyon Rim Visitor
Center
Location:
Off U. S. Route 19, just north of the New River
Gorge Bridge. It is approximately 30 minutes north
of Beckley, 30 minutes south of Summersville, and 70
minutes southeast of Charleston.
Available Facilities: Boardwalk,
overlooks, picnic tables.
Grandview
Location: Take
the Grandview exit (129-B) on I-64, east of Beckley.
Follow Route 9 north for six miles to the park.
Available Facilities: Overlooks,
hiking trails, picnic tables, picnic shelters,
playgrounds, and summer outdoor drama presentations.
For shelter reservations, call 304-465-8064.
Sandstone Visitor
Center
Location: Interstate
64 at Sandstone, WV (approximately 15 minutes east
of Beckley, WV)
Closures: Thanksgiving,
Christmas, New Years Day
Thurmond Depot
Location: From
the Glen Jean exit on Route 19, go left for .5 miles
on Route 16/61 to Glen Jean. Turn right, cross
bridge, then take next two left turns, following
signs to Thurmond. In 6.5 miles, at a three-way
intersection, bear slightly left and up hill to the
bridge. Cross the bridge and park in front of
Thurmond Depot, the yellow building.
Exhibits: Restored passenger depot, historic
furnishings, exhibits of interaction between coal
mining and railroading.
Available Facilities: Across
the river are hiking and mountain biking trails.
Nearby Dunglen Day Use Area has picnic tables,
picnic shelter, and river access.
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