New River Gorge National Park & Preserve — Visitor Info
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve protects a deep, forested river gorge in southern West Virginia, cut by one of the oldest rivers in the world. It's the newest full national park designation (2020) and a whitewater rafting and rock climbing hub, with free entry and free, first-come primitive camping throughout.
Page content last verified: July 2026
Visitor Centers
Confirm current hours on the official NPS hours & visitor centers page before you go.
Entrance Fees & Passes
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve has no entrance fee. Because it's a free park, America the Beautiful passes aren't sold on-site — if you need one for other parks, purchase it online or at a fee-charging park instead.
Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass
Since New River Gorge doesn't charge an entrance fee, the Every Kid Outdoors pass isn't needed here, but it's good for free entry at fee-charging parks elsewhere in the system.
Whitewater Rafting & Rock Climbing
The New River and Gauley River are among the best-known whitewater destinations in the East. Rafting the New River Gorge itself is normally done with one of the area's licensed commercial outfitters, which hold the required Commercial Use Authorization — you don't need your own permit if you book a guided trip. The gorge is also a major sport-climbing destination with thousands of established routes; no permit is required for climbing.
Permits & Reservations
You do not need a permit to enter the park, hike, or camp at the park's free campgrounds (first-come, first-served, described below). Commercial rafting and guided activities are booked directly with outfitters, not the NPS.
Campgrounds & RV Options
New River Gorge has 8 free, first-come, first-served primitive campgrounds scattered along the river — no reservations, no fees, and no hookups anywhere. Expect vault toilets and no drinking water at most sites; come self-sufficient. Popular sites can fill by early afternoon on summer weekends.
The park has several more free primitive campgrounds beyond these two — see the full, current list and directions on the official NPS camping page. For RVs needing hookups, private campgrounds are available in nearby Fayetteville, Oak Hill, and Beckley.
Good to Know
- The New River Gorge Bridge is one of the longest steel arch bridges in the world — Bridge Day each October opens it to BASE jumpers and rappellers.
- Free campgrounds mean no guarantees: arrive early on weekends, and have a backup plan (private campground or hotel) if your first choice is full.
- Cell service is spotty in the gorge itself — download maps and directions before you head down into the canyon.
- The park spans a long, narrow corridor — driving between the north end (Canyon Rim) and south end (Sandstone) takes over an hour.
More National Parks
See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.
Fees and regulations change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official New River Gorge National Park & Preserve site before you go.
Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Camping · NPS – Alerts & Conditions
