New River Gorge National Park and Preserve- Our Newest NP

On our spring trip to the southeast in April of 2022, we were heading from eastern Tennessee to a Harvest Host Golf Course in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Our GPS directed us to take I-77 north from Wytheville, VA to Charleston, WV, where we would pick up I-79 north toward Bel Meadow Golf Club just south of Morgantown. I looked at the map of West Virginia and noticed that US Highway 19 would take us due north from I-77 and intersect with I-79 a little south of our destination. It looked like a legitimate shortcut on a US Highway, and who knows what we might find along the way. Well, we weren’t 30 minutes into the drive north on 19 when we came upon the New River Gorge Bridge. “What the oh-my-heck is this?” I may have said. Just on the north side of the bridge is the National Park Service Information Center. We pulled GR84RED in and made a visit. The views of the New River from the Info Center and the paved walkways were spectacular, and we made ourselves a promise right then to come back. And we did this week.

Nestled in the heart of southern West Virginia, New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Spanning over 70,000 acres, the park boasts rugged cliffs, ancient forests, and the mighty New River—one of the oldest rivers in North America, if not the World. Whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping adventures or tranquil scenic drives, this park offers a diverse array of experiences. Having only one day to explore, we decided to take the Fayette Station Road Tour and then make the drive down to the historic railroad town of Thurmond.

For our visit to New River we chose The Outpost at New River Gorge campground. The campground is highly regarded offering a variety of accommodations and amenities for visitors to Fayetteville, WV. We reserved a full hookup RV sight and were directed to a level, gravel site at the back of the RV section. We met Ross, the owner, and he told us of his plan to create a five-star campground with a music venue… or maybe a music venue with a campground. He has live music every weekend. This coming Saturday, April 29, will feature the Grateful Dead Bluegrass cover band “Grass is Dead”. We will definitely put this park on our list to return.

Fayette Station Road Tour: A Scenic Drive Through Time

New River Gorge Bridge from Tunney Hunsaker Bridge

The easiest way for us to experience the New River Gorge during our stay, was to take the Jeep on the Fayette Station Road Tour. This 8-mile, one-way loop begins at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and descends into the gorge, offering unparalleled views of the New River Gorge Bridge from below. As we navigated the narrow, winding road—complete with sharp hairpin turns—we took advantage of several pullouts to admire the scenery and take a ton of pictures. The tour takes you to the bottom of the gorge and the historic Tunney Hunsaker Bridge, a single-lane wooden bridge that spans the New River just upstream from Fayette rapid. Then it’s a short drive up the south side of the gorge back to US 19. The tour actually passes right by The Outpost campground, making it very convenient for our visit.

Journey to Thurmond: A Step Back in Time

Another easy tour in the Jeep, and a must-see destination within the park, is the historic railroad town of Thurmond. To reach this well-preserved enclave, we took U.S. Route 19 south from The Outpost, to the Glen Jean exit, then followed the signs for seven miles down WV-25 (Thurmond Road). It’s a narrow, winding drive that was one lane wide at times with little to no shoulder. But, on a Tuesday in mid-April there was little traffic and navigating the winding curves was a breeze.

Upon arriving, we found a town that appears frozen in time, offering a glimpse into the coal industry's heyday. The Thurmond Depot Visitor Center was closed, but our walk around the rail yard provided all the historical context and information about the area's significance. Believe it or not, Amtrak “The Cardinal” still rolls through Thurmond three times a week on its trek from New York to Chicago.