Camping, trails, maps & photo credits — New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities.
Camping & reservations
The booking button opens the unit’s specific official camping and permit instructions. Read those instructions for first-come sites, group arrangements and any transport reservations.
Designated New River Gorge campgrounds ↗
NPS lists primitive camping at designated river-area campgrounds, including Army Camp, Grandview Sandbar and Glade Creek. Designated sites are first come, first served, without reservations. Vehicle camping is allowed only at drive-in campsites. Check current campground access and river-safety advice.
Reservations: Follow current NPS camping and group-permit instructions.
Truck-camping & permitted overnight use
RVs, campers and sleeping in cars are permitted only at designated drive-in campsites. Confirm approach roads, pad space and current closures; river access areas and trailheads are not interchangeable with campsites.
Backcountry camping and vehicle camping require park-specific authorization; National Park Service land is not generally open to unrestricted roadside camping. Confirm designated sites, permits and food-storage rules with this unit.
Activities, hiking & trails
Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Hiking, Backcountry Hiking, Front-Country Hiking. Official activities and trail-planning information ↗
NPS-listed recreation: Arts and Culture, Theater, Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Astronomy, Biking, Mountain Biking, Road Biking, Boating, Camping, Backcountry Camping, Canoe or Kayak Camping, Car or Front Country Camping, Group Camping, RV Camping, Climbing, Rock Climbing, Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Fly Fishing, Food, Picnicking, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Self-Guided Tours - Auto, Hiking, Backcountry Hiking, Front-Country Hiking, Horse Trekking, Horseback Riding, Hunting and Gathering, Hunting, Paddling, Canoeing, Canoe or Kayak Camping, Kayaking, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Whitewater Rafting, Junior Ranger Program, Playground, Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching, Park Film, Museum Exhibits, Shopping, Bookstore and Park Store.
Maps & road access
Use the official NPS directions and current alerts. Check vehicle restrictions and campground approach roads before traveling.
To reach Park Headquarters take Route 19 North from Beckley to the Glen Jean exit. Upon exiting Rt 19, make an immediate left turn. At the next intersection, turn right. Park Headquarters will be straight ahead on the right. GPS Coordinates for Headquarters: 81.15587W, 37.92775N PLEASE NOTE: Third party search and map apps may direct you to an potentially inaccessible area of the park with no amenities or rangers stations. Please refer to the Visitor Center or Park Headquarters addresses for directions. Official directions / site access ↗
Before you travel
Weather in the Appalachian Mountains can be unpredictable and can change quickly. Always be prepared for the possibility of sudden storms. Weather in the mountains is often cooler and wetter than the surrounding area. On average, the warmest month is July. The maximum average precipitation also occurs in July.
Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. National Park Service official information ↗
Photograph sources & licensing
Banner: Horseshoe Bend from Grandview
The Horseshoe Bend in the New River from Grandview
Credit: NPS photo/Louise McLaughlin. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Second large photograph: Sandstone Falls
Sandstone Falls spans the New River
Credit: NPS photo/Carey Woods. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.