One of only three national rivers, the New River Gorge National River was established by Congress on November 10, 1978. A unit of the National Park System, the park was created for the purpose of conserving and interpreting outstanding natural, scenic, and historic values and objects. The first superintendent was James Carrico, who established temporary park headquarters on Main Street in Oak Hill. The first day of operation was May 7, 1983, when the first visitor center for the new park opened near Fayetteville.
There are now four visitor centers in the park to educate and inform visitors about the cultural, natural, and recreational opportunities along the national river. The park boundary starts in Hinton and runs 53 miles downriver to the New River Gorge Bridge.
The New River with its deep gorge and forested flanks is very scenic and offers water-related activities including whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Some of the best warm-water fishing in the state of West Virginia is located on the New River, where mountain biking and hiking trails may also be enjoyed year round. Several abandoned mining communities and many coke ovens are located in the gorge, once the center of the New River Coalfield. Mining and railroading have left a rich industrial heritage, interpreted at Thurmond and other sites.
The National Park Service is directing its resources to maintaining the park in its natural state, preserving its cultural past for future generations, and presenting educational and interpretive programs to visitors, asking that they join in protecting this treasure of West Virginia and the nation.
Visit the New River Gorge National River official website
e-WV presents West Virginia Public Broadcasting on New River Gorge National River
This Article was written by W. Eugene Cox
Last Revised on November 10, 2020
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Cite This Article
Cox, W. Eugene "New River Gorge National River." e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. 10 November 2020. Web. 23 January 2021.
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