How To Get To the New River Gorge
Access Points
Driving is the best way to navigate the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve on U.S. Route 19. With a car, you can drive to various destinations within and around the park. America’s newest national park is easily reached from interstates 64, 77, and 79, and from U.S. Route 60 (Midland Trail Scenic Highway). By car, it is approximately 30 minutes north of Beckley, 70 minutes south of Interstate 79, and 70 minutes east of Charleston.
The closest major airport is West Virginia International Yeager Airport, located in the capital city of Charleston. Some flights are also available at nearby Raleigh County Memorial Airport in Beaver. If flying into either of these airports, a rental car or taxi is necessary to get to the park.
By train, Amtrak’s closest stations are in Thurmond and Prince. From the stations, a taxi can take you to your final destination in the New River Gorge area. The New River Transit Authority has developed the New River Gorge shuttle— an easy way to traverse the area without the hassle of parking.
GPS Coordinates
Sandstone Visitor Center: 37.78320 N, 80.89778 W
Canyon Rim Visitor Center: 38.07003 N, 81.07583 W
Grandview Visitor Center: 37.83017 N, 81.06312 W
Thurmond Depot: 37.95712 N, 81.07879 W
Sandstone Falls: 37.71797 N, 80.89297 W
Nuttallburg: 38.05019 N, 81.03976 W
In case you hike with a satellite phone you can use these coordinates to direct your way through the park.
Each of the destinations has various access points that all appear in the park.
Canyon Rim Visitor Center
Canyon Rim Visitor Center is located on U.S. Route 19, just north of Fayetteville, WV. U.S. Route 19 is easily reached from Interstates I-64 and I-79, as well as U.S. Route 60.
Sandstone Visitor Center
Sandstone Visitor Center is located just north of the I-64 and State Route 20 interchange (Exit 139).
Thurmond Depot
The Thurmond Depot Visitor Center is located seven miles down State Route 25. Take the Glen Jean exit off U.S. Route 19 north of Beckley, and follow the signs to Thurmond.
Grandview
To reach Grandview from Beckley follow I-64 East five miles to Exit 129 B. From Lewisburg follow I-64 West forty miles to Exit 129. From either exit, turn right and follow Route 9 North six miles to Grandview.
Camp Brookside Environmental Education Center
Camp Brookside Environmental Education Center is located at 309 North Mullens Road, Hinton, WV. Get off I-64 at the Hinton/Sandstone Exit (exit 139) and head south towards Hinton on Route 20 South. Follow Route 20 south for 5 miles. When you come to the small town of Brooks, turn right on North Mullens Road. Make a quick left just after crossing the railroad tracks and follow the dirt road to Camp Brookside.
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Read MoreThis post was last updated on February 24, 2022