The visitors center provides an orientation to the New River Gorge National River, and rangers are available to help visitors plan their time in the park. The New River Gorge National River was established in 1978 to preserve and protect 53 miles of the New River as a free-flowing waterway. Located about 45 miles downstream from Bluestone Lake. The park and the surrounding area are rich in cultural and natural history and have abundant scenic and recreational opportunities such as whitewater rafting, fishing, rock climbing, kayaking. Miles of trails within the park offer an excellent means to discover the New River Gorge history, plant life, and animal life.
Trails feature waterfalls, old coal towns geological formations, and scenic views of the gorge.
The water drops through the gorge at a rate of 17 feet per mile and the water's roar may be heard from the ridge tops even a mile away. New River Gorge Bridge, the world's highest steel-arch bridge spans the gorge in the vicinity of Ansted, WV and Grandview State Park near Beckley. Today, the New River Gorge National River is attended by the National Park Service with major visitors centers at the lower and upper ends of the New River Gorge. Sandstone Falls, scenic overlooks, picnic areas, hiking trails and of course, the great whitewater rafting await discovery in the mighty gorge. A mighty statue of the heroic steel drivin' man, John Henry, looks down on West Virginia Route 3, just a few miles east of the town of Hinton.