New River Gorge National Park and Preserve's Visitor Centers will have a delayed opening on 2/19/25 in anticipation of winter weather. As such they will open at 11AM
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.
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.
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.
Entrance Fee-free
This site is fee-free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required.
Canyon Rim Visitor Center is one of the park's primary, year round visitor centers. It is located at the New River Gorge Bridge, just north of Fayetteville. A wooden boardwalk provides scenic views of the New River Gorge Bridge and the gorge. There are no hiking trails that start at the visitor center. The center features exhibits, information, park film, and a book store.
Every Day:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Canyon Rim is open year round from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.
Sandstone Visitor Center is one of the primary visitor centers for New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. It is a green design building where visitors can learn about the park and the watershed through exhibits and a park film. The center also features a native plant garden, picnic areas, and book store.
Every Day:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Sandstone Visitor Center is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.
The Grandview Visitor Center is one of our seasonal visitor centers, typically open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Here there are overlooks of the New River, five hiking trails, ranger-led walks and talks, summer outdoor dramas, and picnic areas with playgrounds.
Closed today
Current Hours (Grandview Visitor Center Winter Hours)
October 28–May 27
Every Day:Closed
Grandview Visitor Center is closed between Labor Day and Memorial Day.
Standard Hours
Every Day:12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Visitor Center open June through August: Daily from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed fall, winter, and spring.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Fall hours
September 7–October 27
Every Day:12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Grandview Visitor Center Winter Hours
October 28–May 27
Every Day:Closed
Grandview Visitor Center is closed between Labor Day and Memorial Day.
Thurmond Depot is a restored railroad depot located in the historic railroad town of Thurmond. Open seasonally (typically Memorial Day to Labor Day), the Depot is an information center and a park store.
Closed today
Current Hours (January-February 2024)
January 6–February 25
Sunday:9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Monday-Friday:Closed
Saturday:9:30 AM–4:30 PM
The Depot will be open Saturdays and Sundays for January and February 2024
Current Hours (January-February 2024)
January 6–February 25
Sunday:9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Monday-Friday:Closed
Saturday:9:30 AM–4:30 PM
The Depot will be open Saturdays and Sundays for January and February 2024
Current Hours (Thurmond Depot Winter Hours)
November 1–May 27
Every Day:Closed
Thurmond Depot is closed from Labor Day through Memorial Day (may be open intermittently and/or on weekends in the fall depending on staffing) The depot will be open on weekends for January and February 2024.
Standard Hours
Every Day:10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Open June through August, weekends in September and October
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
January-February 2024
January 6–February 25
Sunday:9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Monday-Friday:Closed
Saturday:9:30 AM–4:30 PM
The Depot will be open Saturdays and Sundays for January and February 2024
January-February 2024
January 6–February 25
Sunday:9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Monday-Friday:Closed
Saturday:9:30 AM–4:30 PM
The Depot will be open Saturdays and Sundays for January and February 2024
Fall Hours
September 7–October 26
Sunday:10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Monday-Friday:Closed
Saturday:10:00 AM–5:00 PM
open weekends in September and October
Thurmond Depot Winter Hours
November 1–May 27
Every Day:Closed
Thurmond Depot is closed from Labor Day through Memorial Day (may be open intermittently and/or on weekends in the fall depending on staffing) The depot will be open on weekends for January and February 2024.
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2026
Closed
Washington's Birthday
February 16, 2026
Closed
Memorial Day
May 26, 2025
Closed
Columbus Day
October 13, 2025
Closed
Veterans Day
November 11, 2025
Closed
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
Public WiFi is available.
Public WIFI is provided at Canyon Rim and Sandstone Visitor Centers.
Cellphone service can be spotty throughout the park, especially at the campgrounds and near the river.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects and preserves 53 miles of the New River as well as over 70,000 acres of the magnificent gorge that this river created.
The park is 53 miles long. Having a good map is essential. A park map can be obtained at any park visitor center. Many roads are narrow and winding. Allow extra time when exploring.
Stop at Canyon Rim or Sandstone Visitor Centers any time of year. Visitor centers at Grandview and Thurmond are seasonal, generally open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Check the Visitor Centers page for current hours.
There are plenty of things to do in the gorge, from rafting to rock climbing to hiking. The possibilities are endless!
Food, lodging, and full service campgrounds are plentiful in the gateway communities surrounding the park, including Hinton, Fayetteville, and Beckley.
Primitive camping, on a first come - first serve basis, is available without charge at a number of locations within the park.