Winter Activities at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a great family travel destination. While the temperatures are still cold, bring your family to the national park for winter-friendly activities. Located in southern West Virginia, New River Gorge is the country’s newest national park.

The park is set on 70,000 acres of land in the Appalachian Mountains, along 53 miles of West Virginia’s New River from Bluestone Dam to Hawk’s Nest Lake. With less visitors than in the summer months, winter is the perfect time to visit the park. Take advantage of these activities on your next trip.

© Adventures on the Gorge

Save on Lodging

Adventures on the Gorge offers visitors up to 50 percent off lodging through April 1. The resort’s grounds feature a restaurant, conference center and outdoor decks for birdwatching and photography. With little light pollution, it’s a great spot for stargazing. Cabins range from one-bedroom to seven-bedroom options. All cabins have private outdoor spaces with some offering hot tubs.

Zip Line Through the Forest

TreeTops Canopy Tour features 10 different zip line routes at Eastern Hemlock Forest. The year-round guided zip line experience brings travelers over the lush forest below.

Winter Hiking

Put on your warm layers and head out for a winter hike. The park offers numerous trails throughout with options for all skill levels. Popular trails include Wild Rock Trail, Grandview Rim Trail, Long Point Travel and Canyon Rim Boardwalk.

© Adventures on the Gorge

Aerial Obstacle Course

Enjoy a challenging adventure workout at TimberTrek Adventure Park. The aerial obstacle course offers increasingly difficult obstacles including rope ladders, zip lines and swinging bridges.

Visit a Ghost Town

Located at New River, Beury and Thurmond, West Virginia, were mining boomtowns in the 1870s before declining in the 1930s. Today, visitors can hike throughout the towns and see the remnants of the various buildings.