New River Gorge Bridge
Walk the overlook boardwalk and marvel at the 3,030-foot arch high above the river.
Fayette County · New River Gorge
Things to Do in Fayetteville WV
Fayetteville is the adventure capital of the New River Gorge, home to the iconic bridge, world-class trails, rafting put-ins and one of the best small-town main streets in Appalachia. Here is your guide to the gorge.
Quick Info
- County
- Fayette County
- Best For
- Rafting, climbing, hiking, Bridge Day
- Best Time to Visit
- April through October
- Time Needed
- 1–2 days
- Getting There
- About 20 minutes from Beckley off US-19, and roughly 1 hour from Charleston.
Base Camp for the Gorge
Fayetteville sits on the rim of the New River Gorge, a short drive from the bridge that made the area famous. Long a hub for climbers and paddlers, the town has grown into a full-fledged outdoor destination without losing its easygoing character.
Downtown is compact and walkable, with gear shops, cafes and galleries filling historic storefronts. Minutes away, the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, Long Point and Endless Wall trails deliver some of the most spectacular views in the eastern United States.
Add world-class whitewater, a calendar full of events and countless miles of singletrack, and it is easy to see why Fayetteville is the beating heart of the New River Gorge.
Best Things to Do
Top Fayetteville Experiences
Endless Wall Trail
One of the state’s best hikes, following the rim to Diamond Point and back.
Long Point Trail
A 3-mile round trip to a rock outcrop framing the bridge perfectly.
Whitewater Rafting
The New and Gauley rivers offer some of the best rafting in the East.
Fayette Station Road
A switchback drive to the river, passing under the bridge on the old road.
Bridge Day
Each October the bridge closes to traffic for BASE jumping and a giant festival.
Downtown Fayetteville
Gear shops, cafes and galleries in a classic Appalachian main street.
Mountain Biking
Flowing singletrack and bike parks make the gorge a rider’s paradise.
Top Attractions
- Canyon Rim Visitor Center — the best introduction to the gorge and bridge.
- Long Point Trail — the classic bridge viewpoint.
- Endless Wall Trail — cliff-edge hiking with climber views.
- Fayette Station Road — a historic drive to the river.
- Kaymoor Miners Trail — stairs down to a fascinating ghost town.
- Downtown Fayetteville — shops, food and trail talk.
Outdoor Activities
Whitewater Rafting
From family floats to the legendary Gauley season, the gorge has it all.
Rock Climbing
The New River Gorge is one of the premier sport-climbing areas in the country.
Hiking
Rim trails, waterfall paths and rugged descents fill the area’s trail map.
Mountain Biking
Singletrack and bike parks suit everyone from beginners to experts.
Ziplining & Via Ferrata
Canopy tours and guided cliff adventures add adrenaline to any trip.
Fishing
The New River holds smallmouth bass and muskies worth chasing.
Historic Attractions
The New River Gorge Bridge, completed in 1977, is an engineering landmark and the focal point of the national park.
Kaymoor preserves the ruins of a coal mining town and coke ovens reached by more than 800 wooden steps, offering a tangible link to the gorge’s industrial past.
Downtown, the Fayette County Courthouse and surrounding historic blocks reflect the town’s turn-of-the-century prosperity.
Restaurants
Pies & Pints
The original location of this West Virginia favorite for pizza and craft beer.
Secret Sandwich Society
Inventive sandwiches and burgers in a funky, beloved space.
Cathedral Cafe
Breakfast, coffee and lunch inside a converted church downtown.
The Burrito Bar at Breeze Hill
Big burritos and a lively patio with gorge views.
Waterstone Outdoors
A climber’s shop with coffee and trail beta before your hike.
Local Breweries
Craft breweries around the gorge pour local pints after a day outside.
Places to Stay
- Adventures on the Gorge — resort lodging, cabins and camping at the rim.
- Opossum Creek Retreat — cozy cabins in the woods near the gorge.
- Historic Morris Harvey House — a downtown bed and breakfast.
- Cabin and vacation rentals — plentiful options in and around town.
- National park campgrounds — rustic sites like Stone Cliff and Army Camp.
Nearby Attractions & Day Trips
- Canyon Rim Visitor Center — about 5 minutes.
- Hawks Nest State Park — about 15 minutes.
- Babcock State Park — about 25 minutes.
- Beckley — about 20 minutes.
- Summersville Lake — about 35 minutes.
- Charleston WV — about 1 hour.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and early summer bring high water and prime rafting. Fall is spectacular, especially around Bridge Day in October, when the foliage peaks.
Winter is quiet but beautiful for rim hikes and photography, with fewer crowds at the overlooks.
Suggested One-Day Itinerary
- Morning: hike Long Point Trail for the classic bridge view.
- Late morning: visit Canyon Rim Visitor Center.
- Lunch: pizza or a sandwich on Fayetteville’s main street.
- Afternoon: drive Fayette Station Road to the river, then hike part of Endless Wall.
- Evening: dinner downtown and a sunset from the rim.
Suggested Weekend Itinerary
Day 1: raft the New River in the morning, then explore downtown Fayetteville and catch the sunset at Long Point.
Day 2: hike Endless Wall and the Kaymoor Miners Trail, then make the short drive to Hawks Nest or Babcock State Park for more gorge scenery.
Fayetteville on the Map
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fayetteville WV known for?
The New River Gorge Bridge, world-class whitewater and climbing, and Bridge Day.
Is Fayetteville in the New River Gorge National Park?
The town sits just outside the park boundary, minutes from Canyon Rim, Long Point and Endless Wall.
What is Bridge Day?
Held the third Saturday of October, it closes the bridge to traffic for BASE jumping, rappelling and a huge festival.
Do you need a reservation for rafting?
Yes, especially in summer and during Gauley Season; book with an outfitter well in advance.
What is the best time to visit Fayetteville?
May through June for high water, or October for fall color and Bridge Day.
About Discover WV Today
Discover WV Today is an independent travel publication covering West Virginia’s destinations, outdoor adventures, history and food. Our Fayetteville guide is built to help you plan a better New River Gorge trip.
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