Event Schedule:
Tuesday September 15
History on the Gorge
6:00 PM at Adventures on the Gorge
Inside Smokies on the Gorge; Located at 219 Chestnutburg Rd, Lansing, WV 25862
The canyon rim of the New River Gorge is now home to stunning overlooks and the New River Gorge Bridge, but what was here before? Join a ranger talk to learn about the farms, coal mining communities, and early roads that once stood here. Listen to the stories of the people who called this home before the days of a national park and whitewater rafting.
This program is a part of Appalachian Heritage Week at Adventures on the Gorge.
Saturday September 19:
The Civil War in the New River Gorge
1:00 at Canyon Rim Visitor Center
Given the Civil War origins of West Virginia it is perhaps unsurprising that our park is steeped in Civil War history. Join us this weekend Saturday Sept 19th and Sunday Sept 20th at 1:00PM in the Canyon Rim Visitor Center for another talk in our series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by diving into our history. We will explore West Virginia’s Civil War origins, wind our way through the battles of Carnifex Ferry and Fayetteville, and conclude by meeting some of the Civil War veterans, both union and confederate who went on to shape this region. No registration is necessary to attend the program.
Sunday, September 20, 2026
The Civil War in the New River Gorge
1:00 at Canyon Rim Visitor Center
Given the Civil War origins of West Virginia it is perhaps unsurprising that our park is steeped in Civil War history. Join us this weekend Saturday Sept 19th and Sunday Sept 20th at 1:00PM in the Canyon Rim Visitor Center for another talk in our series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by diving into our history. We will explore West Virginia’s Civil War origins, wind our way through the battles of Carnifex Ferry and Fayetteville, and conclude by meeting some of the Civil War veterans, both union and confederate who went on to shape this region. No registration is necessary to attend the program.
Saturday, September 26
Strolling Through Southside
5:30 PM
Meet at the Thurmond Depot
Join us for a ranger-led stroll through Southside, the area across the river from Thurmond that inspired the "rough and tumble" atmosphere it has gained in local folklore. Southside and the Dunglen Hotel will come alive through archaeology, rarely seen photos, and oral history accounts.Get an up close look at the changes that took place on the Southside, the Ballyhack gambling district, and the famous Dunglen Hotel. Learn about the hotel's interior, auxiliary buildings that stood around it, and gambling that took place. You will also get an in depth look at the portions of the hotel that remain 96 years after a fire destroyed this jewel of the New River Coalfields.
No registration to join the tour is necessary. The tour will cover about ½ mile on mostly flat paved ground and gravel.
Shadows on the Trail
8:00-9:30 PM
Meet at Grandview Visitor Center
Grab your flashlight and join rangers for stories under the full moon along the Grandview Rim Trial. Explore park history and regional folklore through ghost stories and other tales.
