Stunning New River Gorge National Park: An Epic Journey Through West Virginia

My husband and I visited New River Gorge National Park and Preserve during the first week of October 2021. The park had only recently received its national park designation in 2020, making our visit feel like the beginning of a new chapter for this remarkable West Virginia destination.

Our first stop was the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, where we headed to the overlook for our first spectacular view of the famous New River Gorge Bridge.

New River Gorge Bridge

It is difficult to stand at the overlook without being impressed by the sheer scale of the bridge. Construction took more than three years, and the bridge was designed by Michael Baker and completed on October 22, 1977, at a cost of approximately $37 million.

The steel arch bridge spans 3,030 feet across the gorge and rises approximately 876 feet above the New River. Its enormous single-span arch quickly became an iconic West Virginia landmark and a major attraction for visitors from around the country.

From the overlook, I couldn’t stop taking pictures. The bridge looked impressive from above, but I soon discovered that the drive through the gorge would give us completely different perspectives.

Fayette Station Road Tour

A ranger at the visitor center suggested that we begin our exploration with the Fayette Station Road Tour, and I’m so glad we followed that advice.

The scenic route covers approximately 8 miles and takes about 45 minutes to drive without stopping. It begins along Lansing-Edmond Road before turning onto Fayette Station Road, where the road winds down into the gorge through a series of tight hairpin turns.

Of course, we stopped frequently. I wanted to pull over every few minutes because each viewpoint seemed even more beautiful than the last!

Along the way, we found several overlooks and pull-offs that allowed us to photograph the New River Gorge Bridge from completely different angles. The drive eventually takes you toward the bottom of the gorge and across Hunsaker Bridge, an older single-lane bridge.

Seeing the enormous modern bridge towering above the gorge alongside the historic Hunsaker Bridge was particularly striking. The two structures represent very different periods of the area’s history.

Exploring the Gorge

The Fayette Station Road route wasn’t just about scenery. Several exhibits along the way helped tell the story of the region and its transformation over the years.

According to the park’s brochure, the road itself is more than 100 years old. The area experienced significant growth after a railway was constructed in 1873, making it possible to transport coal from the surrounding mines.

More than 80 mining towns eventually developed throughout the region, including Fayette and South Fayette. Today, the gorge looks peaceful and wild, but the landscape was once filled with mining activity and communities connected to the coal industry.

As we continued our drive, I eventually walked down toward the river. Looking up, I could see the enormous New River Gorge Bridge towering above me. Straight ahead was the historic Hunsaker Bridge.

I stood there for a while simply taking it all in.

The contrast between the rushing river, towering cliffs, historic bridge, and massive modern bridge was incredible. I was completely blown away by the beauty of the area.

Our October visit of the New River Gorge National Park was particularly beautiful because the beginning of fall was bringing color to the mountains. The combination of autumn foliage, rugged cliffs, bridges, and the river made this one of those places where photographs simply don’t seem to capture the full experience.

New River Gorge National Park is more than a spectacular overlook. Take the time to drive into the gorge and experience the landscape from below. Seeing the bridge from different perspectives gave me a much greater appreciation for both the engineering and the natural beauty of this extraordinary place.

If You Go

Location: Southern West Virginia
Visited: First week of October 2021
Highlights: New River Gorge Bridge, Canyon Rim Visitor Center, Fayette Station Road, Hunsaker Bridge, river views, and fall foliage
Fayette Station Road: Approximately 8 miles through the gorge with numerous scenic pull-offs.
Driving time: About 45 minutes without stops, but allow considerably longer if you want to explore and photograph the overlooks.
Road conditions: Expect winding roads and numerous hairpin turns as you descend into the gorge.
Photography: Bring your camera! The bridge looks dramatically different from the canyon rim, road, river, and various pull-offs.
Best season: Fall is an especially beautiful time to visit because of the colorful foliage.
What to bring: Water, comfortable shoes, snacks, layers, and your camera.
Tip: Stop at the visitor center first and ask a ranger for recommendations based on the amount of time you have.
History: Take time to read the exhibits along Fayette Station Road to learn about the region’s coal-mining and railroad history.
Accessibility: The Canyon Rim overlooks provide easier viewing opportunities, while exploring the gorge involves walking and driving winding roads.
Before you go: Check current park alerts, road conditions, visitor center hours, and seasonal closures before your visit.