# Summary

The content describes a visit to the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in West Virginia, detailing the visitor's experiences and sights in November 2022.

# Abstract

The author recounts their visit to the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve during a cold spell in Ohio, prompting an early departure to the warmer climes of West Virginia. They detail their stay at a campground near the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and their exploration of the park's attractions, including the New River Gorge Bridge, Fayette Station Road, and the Thurmond Historic District. The narrative emphasizes the natural beauty of the park in the fall, the historical significance of Thurmond, and the impressive views from Grandview and Sandstone Falls. The visitor also provides practical advice, such as the necessity of returning to Grandview for a clearer view and the enjoyment of walking around the historic areas.

# Opinions

- The author finds the park's scenery "absolutely gorgeous," especially the New River Gorge Bridge and the views from Grandview.
- The weather in West Virginia, though cloudy and drizzly, is considered preferable to the snowy and freezing conditions in Ohio.
- The historical context of Thurmond as a once-booming coal mining town is conveyed with a sense of fascination for its transformation into a ghost town.
- The Rim Trail at Grandview is highly recommended, with the author expressing that the walk is well worth the effort for the views it offers.
- The Sandstone Falls area is described as having "gorgeous" scenery, with the boardwalk trail to the island recommended for better views of the falls.
- The park is considered one of the nicest national parks the author has seen, with a suggestion that it should be on everyone's list of places to visit.
- The author imagines the park's beauty across all seasons, hinting at a desire to return to experience the park in winter, spring, and summer.

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

West Virginia, November 2022

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve sign. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns.

We were home in Ohio for the month of October and almost all of November. We weren’t scheduled to be at our campground in Florida until December 1. It was so cold in Ohio, we left a week early and decided to spend a couple days at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia. This park is in the Appalachian Mountain Chain.

We found a nice campground just a couple miles from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center at the north end of the park. The weather was cloudy and drizzly, but at least it wasn’t snowing and freezing like it was in Ohio.

Map of the park. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns.

We always go to the Visitor Center first and get information and maps. And of course, my stamp and sticker in my National Park Passport Book.

We started at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center at the north end of the park and drove the Fayette Station Road to see the New River Gorge Bridge. Even though it was fall, it was absolutely gorgeous here.

View of the New River. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns.

The New River Gorge Bridge was completed on October 22, 1977 and is the longest steel arch span in the western hemisphere and the third highest bridge in the United States.

New River Gorge Bridge. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns.

Fayette Station Road is a narrow one-way only road through the gorge. The road takes you down to the water at the bottom of the gorge and brings you back up.

Fayette Station Road. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns.

River at the bottom of the gorge. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns.

After driving Fayette Station Road we got on Highway 19 and headed south to Glen Jean. We drove the road into the park to Thurmond and went to the Thurmond Historic District.

Road to Historic Thurmond. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns.

The historic train depot in Thurmond is a visitor center now. Thurmond was once a booming coal mining town with stores and saloons. Industrialization and diesel locomotives, as well as a decline in the amount of coal coming out of the local mines, caused a drastic decline in the town to the point of becoming a ghost town. It is the least populated municipality in West Virginia.

This is a great place to park your car and get out and walk around.

Rim Trail Overlook at Grandview. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns.

The next area to explore is Grandview. Make sure to walk the Rim Trail clear down to the viewing area and overlook. It is absolutely breathtaking and you will be glad you didn’t skip the walk. The day we visited it was extremely foggy and we couldn’t see a thing so we came back in the afternoon.

Grandview morning and afternoon. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns.

After Grandview, we drove on down to the southern end of the park and went to the Sandstone Visitor Center, then drove the road to Sandstone Falls.

Sandstone Visitor Center sign. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns.

Drive south on Road 20 and there are pull offs to view the river and the falls from above. You need to drive the road all the way south to Hinton and then come back up the other side to get closer to the falls and really see them.

Sandstone falls from above. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns.

As you drive the lower road on the other side you see the smaller Brooks Falls first, and then Sandstone Falls at the end of the road.

View from upper road looking down. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns.

The scenery in this area is gorgeous. The town of Hinton is historic itself and many of the buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Boardwalk at Sandstone Falls. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns.

Be sure to walk the short one-fourth mile boardwalk trail to the island to get a better view of the falls. There are picnic tables here and a restroom facility.

Sandstone Falls. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns.

The rugged river flowing northward through this canyon area is one of the oldest rivers on the continent. The National Park protects over 70,000 acres along the river.

I can only imagine all four seasons here. We saw it in the fall. I bet winter, spring, and summer are all breathtaking in their own way.

This is definitely one of the nicest national parks we have seen. Make sure this one is on your list.