Louise McLaughlin
A view of the Fayette Station Bridge in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
Words by Rick Stedman
Although West Virginia is not typically a top destination for many Canadian travellers, the recent designation of a new national park in the Mountain State will likely make it a new ‘must visit’ among south- and northbound RVers. In late 2020, West Virginia was bestowed with its first National Park, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
Approximately a four-hour drive east of Washington, D.C. and set in south-central West Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is the United States’ 63rd National Park and consists of more than 30,000 ha (73,000 ac). Its status protects the New River Gorge’s rich history that includes coal mining and logging from the last century, along with its natural beauty and cultural significance.
West Virginia Tourism
The magnificent New River Gorge Bridge.
Other aspects of the park include its biodiversity, which includes more than 1,400 different species of plants and a total of 85 km (53 mi) of an untamed river that flows through a 305 m (1,000 ft) deep gorge where rock climbing and whitewater rafting have been the dominant activity for the past 50 years.
To get acquainted with the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve on your first visit, stop at the park’s main visitor centre. Canyon Rim Visitor Center is open all year and serves as the park's primary source of information. It’s located at the New River Gorge Bridge, just north of Fayetteville. Boardwalk trails in the immediate area provide fantastic views of the bridge and gorge, while the visitor centre features exhibits, information, a park film, and a bookstore.
Adventures on the Gorge
Rafting the Upper New River.
Other seasonal visitor centres in the park are Sandstone, which is open in the spring, summer, and fall, and intermittently in winter, as well as Grandview and Thurmond that are open seasonally. They are generally open from Memorial Day through to Labour Day.
The New River Gorge Bridge is breathtaking. It’s picturesque and photographic, and a walk across it offers a unique perspective of the surrounding area. If you’re the adventurous type, 8 m (25 ft) below the top of the 924 m (3,030 ft) structure is a mere 60 cm (24 in) wide catwalk where you can walk the bridge’s entire length secured to a safety cable while taking in the spectacular scenery. Special full moon tours and sunset walk tours are available.
WV State Parks
A scenic setting in Pipestem Resort State Park.
Explore More West Virginia State Parks
Taking advantage of this spectacular setting are other West Virginia State Parks that offer several camping options and activities, which are plentiful on or near the New River Gorge. Throughout the region, you’ll discover an array of activities, accommodations, and dining options.
Though the nearby Hawks Nest State Park doesn’t accommodate RVers, it’s still worth a visit given its incredible scenery and aerial views. Its name alone should indicate what you can expect. The park is perched on 109 ha (270 ac) just above the New River Gorge, overlooking fabulous views of the New River, which is roughly 229 m (750 ft) below. There’s a rustic lodge, a restaurant, and an aerial tramway all within the park. You can also enjoy a number of paved pathways with some featuring well-maintained stairs.
WV State Parks
You’ll want to try the links at Pipestem Resort's 18-hole championship golf course.
One of the premier West Virginia State Parks is Pipestem Resort. It has 82 RV sites that are open all year; 31 of them have full hookups and 19 have electric only. The 1,639 ha (4,050 ac) park also has two golf courses. One is an 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course designed by Geoffrey Cornish and stretches to 6,717 yards from the tips. The other choice is a par 3, nine-hole track that was also designed by Cornish and spans just 1,716 yards. Both offer views of Bluestone Canyon.
Additional amenities in Pipestem include a camp store, heated washrooms, coin-op laundry facilities, and a playground. Outdoor activities include zipline tours (again, for the more daring), guided trout-fishing trips, and an aerial tram that offers spectacular views of the Bluestone River Gorge.
Approximately 24 km (roughly 15 mi) from Pipestem is Camp Creek State Park, which is another great choice. With easy access from I-77, Camp Creek offers 39 sites and features beautiful waterfalls and great camping. Other reasons to stay here include its 56 km (35 mi) of hiking trails and 11 km (7 mi) of streams, seasonally stocked with trout, all within 2,428 ha (6,000 ac) of lush forest.
West Virginia Tourism
The incomparable Greenbrier Resort. It resembles an iconic U.S. government building rather than an iconic golf resort.
The Iconic Greenbrier Resort
The Greenbrier is a bucket list destination for many golfers and fans of the game. It ranks up there with Pebble Beach and St. Andrews. Even if you don’t golf, this is still a fabulous resort to visit. In spring, thousands of Tulips are in bloom around the property, which encompasses more than 4,452 ha (11,000 ac) and four golf courses.
About an hour from Pipestem Resort and Camp Creek state parks, the Greenbrier’s claim to fame is it’s the only resort course in the world to host The Ryder Cup and The Solheim Cup. The former is a biennial men's golf tournament between teams from Europe and the United States, while the latter is a biennial professional women’s golf tournament contested by teams representing Europe and the United States.
H. W. McC
One of four expertly sculpted courses at the Greenbrier.
Located in White Sulphur Springs, WV, the Greenbrier has been serving the public since 1778 and golfers have enjoyed the experience of teeing up here for more than a century. One of the courses, The Old White, was the first to open on the grounds in 1914. The Greenbrier, which once hosted the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup, is now a nine-hole course, but still an enjoyable and challenging track. The Meadows course opened in 1911 and has been redesigned a few times over the years, most recently in 2017. The Ashford Short Course rounds out the golfing options. It features unique designs on each hole with distances ranging from 76 yards to 112 yards.
Even if you don’t tee up here, you can’t visit the Greenbrier without discovering the Greenbrier bunker. This slice of U.S. history was revealed to the public in the early 1990s, and once served as a secret emergency Cold War fallout shelter for more than 30 years. When it was in operation, the Greenbrier bunker was a top-secret U.S. government relocation stronghold for high-ranking members of the U.S. Congress. The 10,455 sq m (112,544 sq ft) bunker was built 222 m (729 ft) into the hillside under the facility and was completed in 1961.
A few of the highlights include 18 dormitories, designed to accommodate more than 1,100 people; a communications area that included television production and audio recording booths; a clinic, pharmacy, laboratory, cafeteria, and meeting rooms for the U.S. House and Senate. This is an intriguing 90-minute tour!
readontheroad
The Greenbrier Bunker's secured west entrance. The Greenbrier Bunker was a top-secret U.S. government relocation stronghold for high-ranking members of the U.S. Government.
Local Communities
Make sure to spend some time exploring the picturesque small towns in south-central West Virginia. Historic Lewisburg is one worth visiting. Highlights include shopping and dining options, along with numerous theatres and historic buildings like Carnegie Hall, which is one of only four still operating worldwide.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Fayetteville offers plenty to see and do. It was significant during the Revolutionary War and Civil War and is home to the New River Gorge Bridge. With an interesting mix of the old and new, this laid-back town features 75 unique homes and buildings, which make up the Fayetteville Historic District. Don’t miss a visit to the Secret Sandwich Society - the best thing that ever happened between two pieces of bread! There is also a thriving Fayette County Farmers Market.
For a comprehensive list of where to stay and play while visiting the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, visit the following websites: