Park Guide
From America's newest national park to a Civil War crossroads and wild whitewater rivers, West Virginia holds a remarkable collection of nationally protected places.
West Virginia is home to one full national park, one national historical park, two national recreation/river units and a segment of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. The state also hosts stretches of two national scenic trails.
Each unit protects a very different landscape — deep gorge, historic river town, wild whitewater and a free-flowing mountain river. This guide introduces each one and how to experience it.
Designated a national park in 2020, New River Gorge protects more than 70,000 acres of deep canyon, whitewater and hardwood forest in southern West Virginia. Despite its name, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent.
Highlights include the 3,030-foot New River Gorge Bridge, the Canyon Rim and Grandview overlooks, the historic town of Thurmond, the Endless Wall Trail and the 1,500-foot-wide Sandstone Falls. The Lower New and Gauley rivers make this the whitewater capital of the East.
Visitor centers at Canyon Rim and Grandview are good starting points for maps and ranger advice.
At the dramatic confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, Harpers Ferry preserves a historic town at the center of pivotal American events. It was here that John Brown raided the federal arsenal in 1859, and the town changed hands many times during the Civil War.
Today, the Lower Town is a walkable museum of restored buildings, museums and exhibits, with the Appalachian Trail passing right through. Hiking to Jefferson Rock and Maryland Heights rewards visitors with sweeping river-gap views.
Below Summersville Dam, the Gauley River carves a rugged gorge with some of the most intense commercial whitewater in the world. Fall dam releases draw expert paddlers from around the globe, while rim trails and overlooks offer scenery for everyone else.
A free-flowing, protected river corridor linking Bluestone State Park and Pipestem Resort State Park. The Bluestone Turnpike Trail follows the river through one of the most remote and scenic valleys in southern West Virginia.
The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park follows 184.5 miles of the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland. A short West Virginia segment near Harpers Ferry includes the famous towpath, lockhouses and the restored canal.
The state also hosts portions of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, both ideal for day hikes and longer treks.
National Park and Preserve.
Southern WV
National Historical Park.
Eastern Panhandle
National Recreation Area.
Nicholas County
National Scenic River.
Summers/Mercer
National Historical Park.
Potomac River
National Scenic Trail.
Statewide
Best viewpoints in the parks.
Varies
West Virginia's own park system.
Statewide
West Virginia has one national park (New River Gorge National Park and Preserve) plus a national historical park at Harpers Ferry and several national river and recreation units.
No. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve does not charge an entrance fee. Some concession activities such as rafting and bridge walks have their own costs.
Plan at least a half day to explore the Lower Town and museums, and a full day if you want to hike to Jefferson Rock or Maryland Heights.
Spring and fall offer the best weather and color. Summer is busiest for rafting, and winter is quiet but rewarding for hardy hikers.
Discover WV Today is an independent guide to West Virginia travel, covering the state's national parks, state parks, rivers, small towns and scenic drives. Learn more about us.
