Size: 72,808 Acres
Year Established: 2020
Annual Visitors: 1.68 Million
Firearms Information in New River Gorge National Park
On February 22, 2010, the law governing the carrying of firearms within a national park changed. In accordance with federal, state, and local laws, visitors may own weapons within a national park unit.
Responsible gun owners must be aware of and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations when visiting a park. You can visit the state website for for information on West Virginia’s gun legislation.
Please remember that federal law prohibits the possession of guns in certain park buildings and facilities. These locations are labeled with signs at their public entrances.
To learn more about West Virginia’s Gun Laws, click here.
Hunting in New River Gorge National Park
Hunting is allowed in certain designated zone within New River Gorge National Park. Because New River Gorge was only recently changed to a National Park and Preserve, local hunters fought hard to keep their sport preserved in the area. About 90% of the park’s national preserve areas, which cover 65,165 acres, are still open to hunting.
Places where hunting is not allowed in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve include safety zones near public areas.
Also, about 400 acres in a part of Grandview that used to be off-limits to hunting are now open. Along the New River, starting at Glade Creek Road up to just under the Grandview overlooks. The only way to get to this new hunting area will be from Glade Creek Road, not from Grandview top.
You can find maps of no-hunting zones here.
To learn more about West Virginia’s Hunting Laws, click here.
Additional Information About New River Gorge National Park
To protect the natural beauty of the New River Gorge, President Jimmy Carter signed a bill into law on November 10th, 1978 to turn it into a National River. The site officially become a National Park in 2020. Leaving from a point not far from Hinton, it travels for a total of 53 miles till it reaches Hawks Nest State Park. It’s worth your time to visit the park’s numerous scenic areas and rich cultural heritage.
New River Gorge is home to some of the best whitewater rafting in the country, particularly between the Cunard put-in and the Fayette Station take-out. For climbers, it is also a top destination on the East Coast. From its headwaters in North Carolina, the New River travels through Virginia and the West Virginia highlands until finally merging with the Kanawha River. It eventually meets up with the Ohio River after leaving that point.
Best Time to Visit New River Gorge National Park
The best time to visit New River Gorge National Park is between the months of April to October.
Visitor Fees
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve does not charge an entrance fee.
Interesting in visiting multiple National Parks this year?
Consider the America The Beautiful Annual Park Pass.
This annual park pass to gets you and some friends into all U.S. National Parks for $80.
They also offer Senior, Military, and other discounts.
Visitor Centers
Canyon Rim Visitor Center
Address
162 Visitor Center Rd,
Lansing, WV 25862
Phone Number
(304) 574-2115
Hours of Operation (October Hours)
Daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Be sure to check for seasonal closures.
Sandstone Visitor Center
Address
330 Meadow Creek Rd,
Meadow Bridge, WV 25976
Phone Number
(304) 466-0417
Hours of Operation
Daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Be sure to check for seasonal closures. This visitor center is typically closed for Winter from September 26-May 31.