13 Mar New River Gorge Bridge Overlook in West Virginia

The last stop on the first day of my road trip from Pennsylvania to California with friends was the New River Gorge Bridge overlook in West Virginia. This day also included stops at the Monongahela Incline in Pittsburgh as well as Falls of Hills Creek Waterfall Trail. Unfortunately, we did not have time to engage in other activities in the area, such as the bridge walk or white water rafting. However, it was well worth the time to stop near the visitors center and walk the boardwalk to the two overlooks.  

Contents:

1) Location of New River Gorge Bridge Overlook

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

3) The Best Time to Visit

4) Quick Facts

5) Overlook Information

6) Recommended Items to Bring

7) Additional Attractions in the Area

1) Location of New River Gorge Bridge Overlook

The New River Gorge Bridge Overlook is located in Lansing, West Virginia. It is accessed from the same parking lot as the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. For reference, it is approximately one hour southeast of Charleston, West Virginia and two and a half hours northwest of Roanoke, Virginia. 

A nearby activity is exploring the Lost World Caverns in Lewisburg. Stop here to see a variety of stalagmites and stalactites. 

Parking

Visitors can park in the lot by the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and then follow signs for the boardwalk leading to the two overlooks. 

Nearby Lodging

First, you can always check out lodging options within the national park, whether that be cabins or an airbnb. Second, you can look into options within neighboring towns, such as Summersville or Oak Hill.

Nearby Airport – New River Gorge Bridge Overlook

There are a few nearby regional airports. However, the closest international airport is the West Virginia International Yeager Airport. It is approximately one hour and 10 minutes northwest of the overlook. Furthermore, there is no public transportation available from the airport to the overlook, so you will need to either rent a car or utilize a ride share service such as Uber. 

New River Gorge entrance sign

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

The trail to the New River Gorge Bridge Overlook begins from the parking lot for the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. However, the visitor center and parking lot are only open from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily. They then close the gate to the parking lot during closed hours so visitors are not able to enter. This means that the overlook is also closed when the visitor center is closed.

Furthermore, the visitor center and thus the overlook are open year round. 

Entrance Fee

Even though New River Gorge is a national park, there is no entrance fee. Amazing, right? You can thus visit the overlook at no cost. However, you might want to spend a few dollars on souvenirs when you check out the nearby gift shop. 

Boardwalk leading to the New River Gorge Overlook

3) The Best Time to Visit – New River Gorge Bridge Overlook

If you would like to avoid peak crowds, then plan to visit the overlook in the early morning right after it opens at 9:00am or in the evening right before it closes at 5:00pm. The majority of people tend to visit in the late morning and afternoon.

Best Season to Visit

Just about any season is a good season to visit the New River Gorge Bridge Overlook, though I would argue the best seasons are spring, summer, and autumn. First, spring starts to bring warmer temperatures as well as the blossoming of the trees. Second, summer brings beautiful weather and the chance to engage in other nearby activities such as white water rafting. Third, autumn brings the changing colors of the leaves, which provides a magnificent view from the overlook. 

While the bridge and overlook also look beautiful in winter, they can be more difficult to access. There is a flat boardwalk to the first overlook, so you might be able to conquer that in winter even if there is snow or ice on it. However, the pathway to the second overlook traverses down approximately 150 stairs. It will be quite difficult to walk down the stairs if they are covered in snow and/or ice. 

Estimated Visit Time

Plan for around 30 minutes to an hour and a half to visit the overlook. First, you need 30 minutes if you only plan to walk on the path to the two overlooks. The path is approximately 0.6 miles (~one kilometer) long and takes 15 minutes to complete. However, you need to add in a few minutes for pictures and enjoying the scenery. 

Second, you need up to around an hour and a half if you plan to also check out the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. The visitor center has a gift shop as well as informative exhibits and a short film. 

View of the bridge on a sunny day

4) Quick Facts

1. The New River Gorge Bridge Overlook is located in Lansing, West Virginia right next to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center.

2. Opening hours for the visitor center and also the overlook are 9:00am to 5:00pm daily. 

3. There are two overlooks available: an upper overlook as well as a lower overlook. 

4. From the overlooks you can see the New River Gorge Bridge as well as the New River below.

5. Other attractions in the area include white water rafting, the bridge walk, and a scenic drive.

View of the bridge on a cloudy day

5) New River Gorge Bridge Overlook Information

There are two New River Gorge Bridge Overlooks just past the visitor center. The trail for the two overlooks is 0.6 miles (~one kilometer) long round trip. Furthermore, it has an elevation change of approximately 90 feet and takes an average hiker 15 minutes to complete. 

First, find a panoramic side view of the bridge at the top overlook. This overlook is accessible as the boardwalk is flat and allows for wheelchairs. Second, walk down approximately 150 steps to see the bridge arch from a better angle at the bottom overlook. However, keep in mind that you will then need to walk back up the 150 stairs to return to the top. 

My Experience

When we visited in August on our road trip, it was quite foggy. We could barely see the bridge in the distance. However, I will say the fog made the walk to the overlook absolutely beautiful. I felt as though I was walking through an enchanted forest. Additionally, I have visited again since then and enjoyed sunny weather. On that day I had a clear view of the bridge in all its glory. 

For another view of the bridge as well as panoramic views of the surrounding scenery, head to the nearby Endless Wall Trail.

View of the bridge through a couple of trees

6) Recommended Items to Bring

For additional recommendations on what to pack for travel, check out my travel accessories for men and travel essentials for women.

1. Water bottle: Be sure to bring water with you while visiting the overlooks. Water is even more important if you are visiting in the summer, for the heat can make you become dehydrated real quick. For example, I always carry around my Yeti water bottle.

Hygiene

2. Sunscreen: While this might not be as important on a cloudy day, it will be on a day full of beautiful clear skies. Walking around even for just 30 minutes can lead to sunburn if you have fair skin.

3. Bug spray: Let’s be honest – mosquitos, gnats, and any other little type of fly can ruin an experience. You cannot truly enjoy an attraction if you are swatting away bugs from your face the whole time. Therefore, be prepared with bug spray or a mosquito repellent bracelet.

Hiking Items – New River Gorge Bridge Overlook

4. Hiking shoes: A pair of hiking shoes will come in handy as you walk along the boardwalk and down the approximately 150 steps to the bottom overlook.

5. Optional – crampons: These are only necessary in the winter months if there is snow or ice along the trail. Crampons are spikes that attach to the bottom of shoes.

7) Additional Attractions in the Area 

Some of the activities available in addition to the New River Gorge Bridge Overlook include white water rafting, walking underneath the bridge, and driving along a scenic road. What’s more, every year there is Bridge Day, which is a celebration including food, drinks, rappelling, and base jumping. 

White Water Rafting

Tour booking for the Upper New River Gorge: Upper New River Whitewater Rafting Trip.

Tour booking for the Lower New River Gorge: Lower New River Whitewater Rafting Trip.

I went white water rafting in the New River Gorge lower river a couple of years ago, and it was an incredible experience. With pride, I can say we did not tip over our raft at any point. However, not everyone in our rafting group can say the same.

Beginners or those feeling slightly nervous should consider rafting in the upper portion of the river. The water is classified as Class I to Class III rapids, which means it has a fair amount of calmer spots. In contrast, the lower section of the river has Class III to Class V rapids. Prepare to get wet, hold on tight, and have the adventure of a lifetime. 

Another location in West Virginia that offers whitewater rafting tours as well as whitewater tubing tours is the small town of Harpers Ferry. Why not make a day trip to Harpers Ferry? You can explore the town, hike the Maryland Heights Trail, and take an adventurous ride down the river.

Whitewater rafting down the New River Gorge

Bridge Walk

Have you ever thought to yourself: I want to walk underneath a bridge over 800 feet (~244 meters) in the air? Well, then I know the perfect activity. The bridge walk allows visitors to walk on a catwalk approximately 25 feet (~8 meters) underneath the New River Gorge Bridge. Furthermore, it is two feet (~0.6 meters) wide with a railing. Still not sure? All participants are secured to the bridge with a safety cable. 

The tour lasts approximately two to three hours, and you can book online at bridgewalk.com.

Scenic Drive

Fayette Station Road is the main scenic drive for the New River Gorge Bridge and surrounding area. Drivers will encounter two-way as well as one-way portions of road. It winds by and under the bridge as well as beside the water. Moreover, drivers begin the scenic road shortly past the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and drive to Fayetteville or vice versa. The entire drive takes approximately 40 minutes. However, plan for more time if you stop to take pictures and appreciate the views. 

As a note, you should generally not attempt this drive in hazardous weather conditions, especially in the winter season.

Bridge Day – New River Gorge Bridge Overlook

Get ready for a day of celebration. Bridge Day boasts all kinds of foods, drinks, and activities. The first Bridge Day occurred in 1980. Thousands of people walked across the bridge and two individuals parachuted onto the bridge from a plane above. Bridge Day has lived on every since, for it occurs annually on the third Saturday of October.

More recently for Bridge Day, thousands of visitors walk across the New River Gorge Bridge to watch as professionals base jump from the bridge. Additionally, some people rappel from the bridge to the ground. Visitors can enjoy the entertainment while grabbing some food…and maybe also something sweet like a funnel cake. 

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The next day of our road trip extended into North Carolina: Cameron Barnstormer Murals.

We then checked out a natural waterslide, also in North Carolina: Sliding Rock – Natural Waterslide.