The Stonewall Cottage
Sightseeing
Obviously, the bridge is a must see on your trip to our newest national park! There is a nice short hike from the main Visitors Center in Fayetteville that offers good photo opportunities. Consider doing the Bridge Walk (available through many local outfitters-ask for details at the visitors center) for a more up close and personal tour of the bridge from the catwalk almost 900 ft up! (It's safe, of course!) Come back the 3rd Saturday in October to experience Bridge Day: the only day the bridge is closed to traffic to make way for BASE jumpers! Come join in on the fun and watch these exciting adrenaline junkies for an unforgettable experience!
16 locals recommend
New River Gorge Bridge
New River Gorge BridgeObviously, the bridge is a must see on your trip to our newest national park! There is a nice short hike from the main Visitors Center in Fayetteville that offers good photo opportunities. Consider doing the Bridge Walk (available through many local outfitters-ask for details at the visitors center) for a more up close and personal tour of the bridge from the catwalk almost 900 ft up! (It's safe, of course!) Come back the 3rd Saturday in October to experience Bridge Day: the only day the bridge is closed to traffic to make way for BASE jumpers! Come join in on the fun and watch these exciting adrenaline junkies for an unforgettable experience!
Before the New River Gorge Bridge was built in 1977, travelers had to take this road down into the gorge and up the other side, a trip that (today) takes about 40 minutes. Driving this 100 year old road is a way to travel back in time to when coal was king and towns dotted the area. Today, what remains is miles of scenic beauty! This drive is accessed just east of the main visitors center in Fayetteville. Download the Fayette Station Road Audio Tour from the nps website to enhance the experience. Be careful, though, this road is narrow and full of hairpin turns. It's not suitable for RVs or trailers.
6 locals recommend
Fayette Station Road
Fayette Station RoadBefore the New River Gorge Bridge was built in 1977, travelers had to take this road down into the gorge and up the other side, a trip that (today) takes about 40 minutes. Driving this 100 year old road is a way to travel back in time to when coal was king and towns dotted the area. Today, what remains is miles of scenic beauty! This drive is accessed just east of the main visitors center in Fayetteville. Download the Fayette Station Road Audio Tour from the nps website to enhance the experience. Be careful, though, this road is narrow and full of hairpin turns. It's not suitable for RVs or trailers.
A 35 minute drive from The Stonewall Cottage is Babcock State Park, another must-see location in the area, especially in the fall! The Glade Creek Gristmill is a photographer's dream, and there are miles of hiking/biking trails and plenty of fishing opportunities!
57 locals recommend
Babcock State Park
486 Babcock RdA 35 minute drive from The Stonewall Cottage is Babcock State Park, another must-see location in the area, especially in the fall! The Glade Creek Gristmill is a photographer's dream, and there are miles of hiking/biking trails and plenty of fishing opportunities!
Just north of Fayetteville is Hawk's Nest State Park, a cool place to check out for more hiking opportunities...and there is an aerial gondola that you can ride down to the river!
55 locals recommend
Hawks Nest State Park
49 Hawks Nest RdJust north of Fayetteville is Hawk's Nest State Park, a cool place to check out for more hiking opportunities...and there is an aerial gondola that you can ride down to the river!
Thurmond's current population is 5, but once this was a booming coal town fed by the C&O railroad. Today, freight trains frequently pass through the tracks here providing an eerie reminder of days gone by. Many of the original buildings remain, including the Thurmond Depot, which is now a Visitors Center. Thurmond is also famous for the worlds longest poker game, lasting 14 YEARS which took place at the Dun Glen hotel across the river from the remaining structures. This is a very unique place to check out and there is a beautiful waterfall on Thurmond Rd.
22 locals recommend
Thurmond
Thurmond's current population is 5, but once this was a booming coal town fed by the C&O railroad. Today, freight trains frequently pass through the tracks here providing an eerie reminder of days gone by. Many of the original buildings remain, including the Thurmond Depot, which is now a Visitors Center. Thurmond is also famous for the worlds longest poker game, lasting 14 YEARS which took place at the Dun Glen hotel across the river from the remaining structures. This is a very unique place to check out and there is a beautiful waterfall on Thurmond Rd.
If you're visiting in winter you need to check out Winterplace for the area's best snow skiing, snowboard and tubing!
69 locals recommend
Winterplace Ski Resort
Flat Top Mountain RoadIf you're visiting in winter you need to check out Winterplace for the area's best snow skiing, snowboard and tubing!
Kids need a break from hiking? Take them to Mountain State Mini Golf in Beckley. Their course is very unique...it's reminiscent of Hillbilly Golf in Gatlinburg. There is also hand dipped ice cream and a coffee shop on site, as well as an indoor climbing gym. This place has it all for an after-dinner excursion!
7 locals recommend
Mountain State Miniature Golf
1818 Harper RdKids need a break from hiking? Take them to Mountain State Mini Golf in Beckley. Their course is very unique...it's reminiscent of Hillbilly Golf in Gatlinburg. There is also hand dipped ice cream and a coffee shop on site, as well as an indoor climbing gym. This place has it all for an after-dinner excursion!
North of Fayetteville is Summersville Lake, a really relaxing area for kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, cliff jumping....whatever water activities you'd like!
69 locals recommend
Summersville Lake
North of Fayetteville is Summersville Lake, a really relaxing area for kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, cliff jumping....whatever water activities you'd like!