Adventures on the Gorge ResortĪdventures on the Gorge also has several lodging choices for you to choose from, including campsites, glamping, and cabins in the woods. They also have various lodging options on their property, which is about a twenty-minute drive south of Fayetteville. Lafayette Flats Building in Fayetteville Ace Adventure ResortĪce is one of the main providers of guided whitewater trips down the river. The stairs did not bother us, but it’s worth noting for those who might feel otherwise. And the building does not have an elevator. Potential guests should be aware that the rooms are on the second and third floors. The suite had a large and comfortable bed and bedroom, spacious kitchenette and dining area, modern bath and appliances, and engaging, quirky artwork throughout. Our stay there was nothing short of perfect. We chose to VRBO one of the four rooms at the Lafayette Flats in Fayetteville for several nights. Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals The park has no lodging or camping within its borders, but there are plenty of places to stay nearby. With whitewater rafting being one of the most popular activities in the park, spring is when visitation begins to increase. Usually, mid-to-late October is peak fall color season. Fall is also a great time to see the trees turning colors. The weather was mild, and the crowds were thinner than in the summer months. We visited the park in mid-October, which seemed ideal for us. It’s a year-round park, but summer is busiest when crowds come to raft and kayak the river’s world-class rapids. New River Gorge Bridge – photo take from the Tunney Hunsaker Bridge When to go? As other points of reference, it’s about a four-hour drive from Columbus, Ohio, two-and-a-half hours from Morgantown, West Virginia, and three hours from Roanoke, Virginia. The park sits in the southern third of West Virginia, about an hour southeast of the capital of Charleston. Not only is it an engineering marvel - the bridge reduced the previous 45-minute drive to cross the river down to 45 seconds - but it’s also a breathtaking sight to see. It serves as the park’s visual centerpiece. The bridge sits 876 feet above the river, and is a mere stone’s throw away from the quaint town of Fayetteville, WV. First protected in 1978 as a national river, it was declared a national park in December 2020.Īlso in 1978, the New River Gorge Bridge was completed. The river is one of the oldest in the world it’s older than the Appalachian Mountains. It protects and celebrates a 53-mile stretch of the New River and its jaw-dropping gorge. New River Gorge National Park is the newest U.S. Or, listen to our podcast episode about the park right here. Thinking about visiting New River Gorge National Park and Preserve? Use our three perfect days itinerary as a starting point for your planning.