State and national parklands
throughout the New River Gorge area provide plenty else
to do during your whitewater rafting trip -- hiking,
biking, fishing, and rock climbing. Natural areas,
historic sites, and museums may be found throughout the
New River Gorge region.

Babcock State Park
Among Babcock's recreational features are a swimming pool, horseback riding, extensive hiking and cross-country ski trails, a seasonal interpretive program and Boley Lake, a 19-acre impoundment for boating and fishing. Adjacent to the park, Camp Washington Carver offers a wide range of weekend dinner theater productions, concerts, dances and do-wop nights that further enhance Babcock's recreational program.

Hawks Nest State Park
Nestled in the heart of whitewater rafting country, Hawks Nest State Park encompasses 276-acres bordering a rugged section of the New River Gorge National River.

Carnifex Ferry State Park
The site of a major battle during the Civil War, Carnifex Ferry Battlefield preserves an integral part of the historic heritage of West Virginia. Hiking trails to scenic overlooks, picknicking, game courts and a playground are also featured at this historical site.

Grandview
Grandview became part of New River Gorge National River in 1990, after more than 50 years as one of West Virginia's most popular day use state parks. The park is well known for its spectacular views of the New River and beautiful rhododendron.

Canyon Rim Visitors Center
With an estimated 600,000 visitors each year, the center provides the park with a nationally recognized facility, revealing the beauty of New River Gorge National River to the nation and the world.

Thurmond Visitor Center
Once among the greatest railroad towns along the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, Thurmond recaptures the days when steel rails, steam, and coal were the major themes in our nation's history. The historic Thurmond Depot has been restored to serve as a park visitor center. Exhibits and historic furnishings bring the golden days of railroading back to life.

New River Gorge National River: Park Map

Pipestem State Park
A windswept plateau in south-eastern West Virginia provides the setting for this park's astonishing array of accommodations and recreational facilities, and the unique name for the resort is taken from the native pipestem bush whose hollow, woody stems were used by nine different Indian tribes in the making of pipes.

Hinton Visitor Center
The Hinton Visitor Center is the southern-most of the New River Gorge National River visitor centers. It is located three miles south of the park boundary on State Routes 3 and 20, across the river from the town of Hinton.

Sandstone Falls
A part of the New River Gorge National River, Sandstone Falls features an accessible boardwalk crosses two bridges leading to islands and observation decks below the falls. It is a popular fishing spot for smallmouth bass and catfish; a West Virginia fishing license is required.

New River Gorge National River: Park Map