Tucked into the rugged beauty of southern West Virginia, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers some of the most stunning scenery on the East Coast.
Now that the foliage is in full bloom, the gorge is brimming with life and an energy that will amaze and entertain you, whether you’re an adventure seeker looking for an adrenaline rush or a shutterbug looking to capture its beauty in video and images.
Here’s a quick guide to some of what America’s newest national park has to offer.
Grandview: A Panorama of Peace and History
Aptly named, Grandview is a great place to start your New River adventure.
And it certainly lives up to its reputation with sweeping views of the New River from atop the Main Overlook. From this lofty perch, visitors can peer directly into the gorge, witnessing seven miles of river winding through Appalachian terrain. This overlook is a popular spot for photographers, hikers, and families who come to picnic under the canopy of trees and gaze out at the horizon.
It’s not just natural beauty that makes Grandview special — it’s also a window into the region’s industrial past. From the overlook, you can spot the active railway and the historic town of Quinnimont, where the first shipment of coal exited the gorge in 1873. Today, the community is a stop on the African American Heritage Driving Tour, which provides insight into the segregated mining towns that dotted the gorge during its coal industry boom.
Spring brings another spectacular reason to visit: the blooming of the Catawba rhododendrons. Their purple flowers blanket the landscape in mid-May, while their white counterparts follow in July. Bloom times vary with the seasons, so it’s worth checking with a ranger or the park’s social media for updates.
With five woodland hiking trails, ranger-led programs, picnic areas, and seasonal outdoor dramas by Theatre West Virginia at the 1,200-seat Cliffside Amphitheater, Grandview is a well-rounded destination for nature lovers, families, and history buffs alike.
Sandstone Falls: The River’s Roaring Finale
In stark contrast to Grandview’s serene heights is Sandstone Falls — the largest waterfall on the New River, stretching 1,500 feet across. Here, the broad river breaks into a mosaic of cascading water and rocky islands, each drop between 10 and 25 feet high. Despite its power, Sandstone Falls is remarkably accessible thanks to a short boardwalk trail that winds across two islands, offering close-up views of the falls and surrounding botanical treasures.
The journey to Sandstone Falls is half the adventure. Starting from I-64, travelers follow Route 20 to the town of Hinton — a former railroad hub with a historic district, antique shops, and a museum. From there, the road hugs the river along a rare scenic riverside drive, passing vistas like the Sandstone Falls Overlook and Brooks Overlook, home to nesting bald eagles.
Once at the falls, visitors cross footbridges connecting the islands. The first island features an easy loop trail and the rare Appalachian riverside flat rock plant community — one of only five known locations in West Virginia. The second island, covered in floodplain forest, delivers dramatic views of the main falls. The unique geology of the area, shaped by the gradual erosion of softer rock beneath the harder sandstone cap, continues to change as the falls slowly shift upstream.
More to Explore: Climbing & Rafting
Beyond its scenic overlooks and waterfalls, New River Gorge is a magnet for adventure seekers. The park boasts over 1,400 established rock climbing routes on some of the country’s finest sandstone cliffs, with most climbs best suited to experienced climbers. The New River also offers world-class whitewater rafting, with trips available for all skill levels — from leisurely floats to adrenaline-pumping Class V rapids.
Whether you’re here for the views, the thrills, or the history, New River Gorge National Park is the perfect entry point to the wild, wondrous heart of Appalachia.
