New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the newest national park in the United States, showcases the deep canyon of the New River, one of the oldest rivers on the continent. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along 53 miles of the New River, known for its whitewater rafting and spectacular scenery. The gorge itself, with its rugged and steep terrain, offers a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, with activities ranging from rock climbing and hiking to fishing and bird watching.
The park's diverse ecosystems support an abundance of wildlife, and its lush forests display a spectacular array of colors in the fall. The New River Gorge Bridge, one of the longest steel span bridges in the world, provides a breathtaking view of the river below. The park's rich cultural history, from Native American settlements to coal mining towns, adds another layer of depth to this stunning natural landscape.
Biome at New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, located in West Virginia, is a unique and diverse ecosystem that supports a variety of biomes. The park spans a range of elevations, from river gorges etched by millennia of flowing water to forested highlands, creating distinct biomes that host different species and natural communities. Keep on reading to learn more about the biomes at New River Gorge National Park
Airports Near New River Gorge National Park
This is a list of the closest airports to the park, if you plan on flying into New River Gorge click here to read our recommendations.
Distance to Park | Drive Time | ||
Raleigh County Memorial Airport | 20.1 miles | 20 mins | Get Directions |
Greenbrier Valley Airport | 74.0 miles | 57 mins | Get Directions |
Mercer County Airport | 92.9 miles | 1 hour 2 mins | Get Directions |
West Virginia International Yeager Airport | 98.3 miles | 1 hour 11 mins | Get Directions |
New River Valley Airport | 135.5 miles | 1 hour 33 mins | Get Directions |
Virginia Tech/Montgomery Exec Airport | 149.1 miles | 1 hour 40 mins | Get Directions |
Ingalls Field | 166.7 miles | 2 hours 21 mins | Get Directions |
North Central West Virginia Airport | 182.2 miles | 1 hour 51 mins | Get Directions |
Lawrence County Airpark | 185.3 miles | 2 hours 0 mins | Get Directions |
Tri-State/Milton J Ferguson Field | 195.8 miles | 2 hours 7 mins | Get Directions |
Cities Near New River Gorge National Park
Here are some of the closest cities and towns near the park, take a look at our recommendations for where to stay when visiting New River Gorge.

Distance to Park | ||
Fayetteville | 2.8 miles | Get Directions |
Oak Hill | 12.4 miles | Get Directions |
Summersville | 30.8 miles | Get Directions |
Beckley | 33.8 miles | Get Directions |
Crab Orchard | 38.9 miles | Get Directions |
Hinton | 47.1 miles | Get Directions |
Craigsville | 47.2 miles | Get Directions |
Clendenin | 52.1 miles | Get Directions |
Charleston | 57.5 miles | Get Directions |
Mullens | 60.2 miles | Get Directions |
New River Gorge National Park TimeZone
The timezone at New River Gorge is America/New_York, the current time here is:
Sunrise and Sunset Times at New River Gorge National Park
This table shows the sunrise and sunset times at New River Gorge for the next 10 days, use it to plan your day around New River Gorge stunning displays.
Date |
Sunrise |
Sunset |
August 17, 2025 | 06:40 | 20:16 |
August 18, 2025 | 06:41 | 20:15 |
August 19, 2025 | 06:41 | 20:13 |
August 20, 2025 | 06:42 | 20:12 |
August 21, 2025 | 06:43 | 20:10 |
August 22, 2025 | 06:44 | 20:09 |
August 23, 2025 | 06:45 | 20:08 |
August 24, 2025 | 06:46 | 20:06 |
August 25, 2025 | 06:47 | 20:05 |
August 26, 2025 | 06:48 | 20:03 |
Weather at New River Gorge National Park
This table shows weather averages around the year at New River Gorge National Park, it provides information on average rainfall, as well as maximum and minimum temperatures. Be sure to consult it when planning your trip.
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January | -4.6 °C / 4.5 °C | 80.4mm | Bad Weather |
February | -3.2 °C / 6.5 °C | 78.4mm | Bad Weather |
March | 0.4 °C / 11.0 °C | 105.6mm | Bad Weather |
April | 5.6 °C / 17.7 °C | 92.0mm | Tolerable Weather |
May | 10.4 °C / 21.7 °C | 120.8mm | Good Weather |
June | 14.6 °C / 25.2 °C | 109.2mm | Good Weather |
July | 16.6 °C / 26.9 °C | 127.3mm | Good Weather |
August | 15.9 °C / 26.3 °C | 94.5mm | Good Weather |
September | 12.5 °C / 23.3 °C | 81.6mm | Good Weather |
October | 6.6 °C / 17.7 °C | 70.2mm | Good Weather |
November | 1.2 °C / 11.5 °C | 72.8mm | Bad Weather |
December | -2.4 °C / 6.3 °C | 83.1mm | Bad Weather |