New River Gorge - America’s 63rd National Park

Once shaped by centuries of logging and mining, the New River Gorge has made a remarkable return to natural beauty. Now spanning 72,000 acres along 53 miles of rugged gorge, it offers one of the most diverse recreational landscapes in the United States. Visitors can explore over 50 miles of hiking trails, 1,400+ rock climbing routes, mountain biking paths, whitewater rapids from Class I to Class V, base jumping zones, and rich fishing opportunities.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t officially a U.S. National Park until December 2020. Tucked within the nearly 6,000-page, $2.3 trillion coronavirus relief and spending bill passed by Congress that month was a long-overdue designation: the elevation of New River Gorge in southern West Virginia to the status of National Park and Preserve.

Beyond its recreational appeal, the Gorge holds significant ecological value. Its unique terrain sits within a vital migration corridor, where species from the northern and southern U.S. intersect. Wildlife like the Allegheny woodrat (near threatened) and the Virginia big-eared bat (endangered) rely on the area's recovering habitat, making the park not just a destination for adventure—but a refuge for biodiversity.