New River Gorge NP

I’m leaving Ohio at the end of August, so I made one final trip to West Virginia to celebrate my friend’s birthday and to see my 29th National Park. New River Gorge National Park is a newer park, but one that shouldn’t be slept on at all.

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The New River Gorge itself is spectacular. There are so many trails and viewpoints to catch a glimpse of the river below or the bridge in the distance. The National Park visitor center is quite nice, with the usual retail and information but also a great view of the bridge. If you want to walk the underside of the bridge, it’s a private company and you need to book on a separate website. Plan ahead, as they fill up on weekends.

We hiked the Endless Wall Trail and saw so many viewpoints. The trail had some incline, but it was manageable. This trail was like hiking in a tunnel of trees, which meant plenty of shade on warmer/sunnier days.

There are tons of great spots outside of the National Park around - many state parks and other recreation areas. The nearby towns of Summersville and Fayetteville are cute and have everything you’ll need from coffee to groceries. For my beer friends, check out Gad Dam Brewing up in Summersville for a casual, country setting and beer from all over the region. For my wine friends, check out Kirkwood Winery just north of Summersville for reasonably priced and tasty wine. There’s truly something for everyone in the area.

Enjoy some photos from my visit and go check it out if you’ve been thinking of going - it’s worth it!