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National Park & Preserve · WV
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
New River Gorge is quietest in January and February and busiest in July.
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.
1.8M recreation visits a year on average (2023–2025)
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Jul 2026 · alerts checked Jul 10, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Pick a month to visit New River Gorge
This week
7-day forecast
| Day | Conditions | High | Low | Precip chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 27 | Overcast | 78°F | 63°F | 22% |
| Fri 28 | Drizzle | 75°F | 60°F | 16% |
| Sat 29 | Overcast | 84°F | 56°F | 5% |
| Sun 30 | Overcast | 85°F | 60°F | 1% |
| Mon 31 | Overcast | 87°F | 63°F | 6% |
| Tue 1 | Overcast | 88°F | 65°F | 11% |
| Wed 2 | Partly cloudy | 90°F | 67°F | 29% |
Forecast data by Open-Meteo
Source: Open-Meteo
Weather
Monthly climate normals
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F | 19°F | 3.1" |
| February | 43°F | 21°F | 2.9" |
| March | 51°F | 27°F | 3.8" |
| April | 63°F | 36°F | 3.8" |
| May | 71°F | 46°F | 4.6" |
| June | 76°F | 54°F | 4.1" |
| July | 79°F | 58°F | 5.4" |
| August | 78°F | 57°F | 3.7" |
| September | 73°F | 50°F | 3.3" |
| October | 63°F | 39°F | 2.6" |
| November | 53°F | 29°F | 2.7" |
| December | 43°F | 23°F | 3.5" |
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, BECKLEY VA HOSPITAL, WV US
Know before you go
Fees & hours
- Entrance fee
- Free — Free entrance
- Hours
- The park itself is open 24 hour a day, year round. The park's two main visitor centers at Canyon Rim and Sandstone are open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day). There are two seasonal Visitor Centers located in Thurmond and Grandview. They are typically open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
- Information
Kaymoor Miners Trail Closure
From June 15 through November 19 the upper part of the Kaymoor Miners Trail (from Kaymoor Top down to the mine site at the junction with the Kaymoor Trail) will be closed Monday through Thursday due to a trail rehab project. The trail is expected to be fully open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- Information
Church Loop Trail Closure
The Church Loop Trail in the Thurmond area of the park is temporarily closed due to downed trees.
Source: NPS Data API
FAQ
New River Gorge questions
When is the best time to visit New River Gorge?
New River Gorge is least crowded in January, February, and December. July is the busiest month, so visiting outside it means thinner crowds and easier parking.
How much does it cost to visit New River Gorge?
Entry to New River Gorge is free.
When is New River Gorge busiest?
New River Gorge is busiest in July, when crowds rate 10/10 (peak). Expect full parking lots and longer waits; arrive early or choose a quieter month.