# New River Gorge: 3 Days of Bridge Views, Rail Ruins and Rim Trails

Source: https://driftkin.app/trips/new-river-gorge-3-day-bridge-rim-and-rails · Fact-checked against official sources · Updated 8 Oct 2026

**Quick answer:** This is a 3-day New River Gorge National Park & Preserve itinerary. Day 1: Gorge Rim and the Bridge; Day 2: Down the Gorge and Into Thurmond (Fri-Sun); Day 3: Grandview Rim and Sandstone Falls. Best months: May to June and September to October. Difficulty: moderate. Budget: $$.

Cliff-edge overlooks, a coal-and-rail ghost town and the New River's biggest waterfall

Three days on America's newest national park: cliff-top trails and the famous bridge near Fayetteville, a steep Friday-to-Sunday descent to the Kaymoor coke ovens and the ghost town of Thurmond, then Grandview's rim and Sandstone Falls. Free entry, primitive campgrounds, and a rafting base camp for lodging.

- National park: New River Gorge, WV
- Length: 3 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Budget: $$

## Highlights

- Endless Wall cliff-edge trail and Diamond Point overlook
- Canyon Rim overlooks and Long Point views of the New River Gorge Bridge
- Fayette Station Road drive beneath the bridge
- Kaymoor Miners Trail descent past a coal mine site to the coke ovens (Fri-Sun)
- Thurmond, a preserved coal and railroad boomtown
- Grandview Main Overlook and Castle Rock Trail
- Sandstone Falls boardwalk on the New River's largest waterfall

## Why visit New River Gorge

The gorge the New River has carved through West Virginia snaps into focus the first time you stand at its rim. This plan uses that rim, the river below it and the industrial ruins scattered along the way to build three days that feel varied rather than repetitive.

Day one is the bridge day, and it starts at Endless Wall, where a trail zig-zags along the cliff edge with vista after vista; the plan walks the roughly two-mile round trip to Diamond Point. From there it is a few minutes to Canyon Rim Visitor Center for the boardwalk overlooks of the New River Gorge Bridge, then a sandwich in Fayetteville, an afternoon at Long Point with its head-on bridge view, and an evening drive down Fayette Station Road, which passes directly beneath the span.

Day two heads down into history. The Kaymoor Miners Trail is short but punishing, dropping about 900 feet in a mile past the mine site and down hundreds of wooden steps to the coke ovens near the river. Its upper section is typically open only Friday to Sunday in the fall, so plan this as a weekend day (Thurmond's depot is also typically open only weekends in September and October). After a picnic, the road to Thurmond winds to a town that was once a shipping hub for coal; its railroad operation ranked first in revenue in 1910. Today the depot, commissary and bank buildings stand beside the working tracks, and the ruins of the Lafayette Hotel sit up the block. Dunloup Falls makes a fitting last stop on the drive out.

Day three goes south. Grandview is the highest point in the park, with a horseshoe bend of the New River about 1,400 feet below and the rocky Castle Rock Trail beneath fortress-like cliffs. From there the plan runs to Sandstone, where the visitor center offers picnic tables and exhibits, the overlook shows Sandstone Falls from about 600 feet above, and a quarter-mile accessible boardwalk puts you among the falls themselves, the largest on the New River at about 1,500 feet across.

A few things make this easy to plan: the park charges no entrance fee, camping in the park's primitive campgrounds is free and first-come, and the rafting outfitters around Lansing provide lodging for those who want a real bed. Bring layers, sturdy shoes and a picnic. Because the Kaymoor trail's upper section is typically closed Monday to Thursday during rehab work, put Day 2 on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday; the tips give a weekday swap.

## New River Gorge 3-day itinerary, day by day

### Day 1: Gorge Rim and the Bridge

Cliff-edge walking on the Endless Wall trail out to Diamond Point, the bridge overlooks at Canyon Rim, lunch in Fayetteville, the Long Point view and a late-day drive under the span. Everything is within about 15 minutes of Fayetteville, so there is almost no backtracking.

#### Endless Wall to Diamond Point (about 2 miles round trip) (8:00 AM)

Start where the gorge is most theatrical: a forest walk that crosses Fern Creek and then zig-zags along the cliff edge, with one vista after another. It is a moderate walk, and the overlook at Diamond Point is a natural turnaround, which makes a popular out-and-back of about two miles round trip from the Fern Creek trailhead parking area. Go early; the trail-running page warns the narrow path gets crowded with other hikers later in the day.

The full Endless Wall Trail is 2.4 miles one way and continues to the Nuttall end, but that would need a half-mile road walk or a second car to get back, so this plan turns around at Diamond Point. No elevation gain is published for the shorter out-and-back, so none is claimed. Stay well back from the unfenced cliff edges.

- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time needed: About 2 miles round trip to Diamond Point and back; time is a planning estimate

Place: Endless Wall Trail (Fern Creek trailhead) · https://www.nps.gov/places/endless-wall-trail.htm

#### Canyon Rim Visitor Center and Bridge Overlooks (10:15 AM)

Only a few minutes from the trailhead, this is the park's front porch for the New River Gorge Bridge. Pick up a map, watch the park film and browse exhibits, then walk the wooden boardwalk to the overlooks for the classic straight-on view of the bridge and river below. No hiking trails start here; the walk is short and easy.

- Best time: Any time; morning light is quieter
- Time needed: Overlooks are 0-30 minutes on their own; allow more for exhibits and the film

Place: Canyon Rim Visitor Center · 162 Visitor Center Road, Lansing, WV 25862 · Hours: Daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM · https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/crvc.htm

#### Lunch at Secret Sandwich Society (11:30 AM)

A short hop into Fayetteville gets you a sandwich-focused menu. The restaurant's own site says it uses premium beef, pork, deli meats and all-natural chicken breast and also serves cocktails and beer. The site asks diners to be mindful of neighbors and park in front or on Court Street.

Place: Secret Sandwich Society (Fayetteville) · 103 Keller Avenue, Fayetteville, WV 25840 · Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm (official site, retrieved 2026-09-29) · https://secretsandwichsociety.com

#### Long Point Trail to the Bridge Overlook (1:00 PM)

Long Point is the payoff for a quiet afternoon: a trail through field and forest to a rock outcrop with a panoramic view of the gorge and the New River Gorge Bridge. Most of the trail lazily descends, with one steep section just before the point, so the return is a gentle uphill. The route is 1.6 miles one way (about 3.2 round trip). No elevation gain is published, so it is typed as an activity here. Use caution: the cliff edges at the point are unprotected. Mountain bikes are banned on the last 0.2 miles.

- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time needed: 3.2 miles round trip (1.6 mi one way); time is a planning estimate

Place: Long Point Trail · https://www.nps.gov/places/long-point-trail.htm

#### Fayette Station Road Late-Afternoon Drive (4:15 PM)

End the day by dropping to river level. This 8-mile one-way route runs from Canyon Rim Visitor Center down a series of hairpin turns, passes directly under the New River Gorge Bridge, goes through the old town sites of Fayette and South Fayette, crosses the Tunney Hunsaker Bridge and climbs out the other side. A parking area a tenth of a mile past the bridge gives an up-close look at Fayette Station Rapid. It takes about 45 minutes.

- Best time: Late afternoon
- Time needed: 8 miles one way, about 45 minutes, longer with stops

Place: Fayette Station Road (starts at Canyon Rim Visitor Center) · 162 Visitor Center Road (Canyon Rim Visitor Center, the route's starting point), Lansing, WV 25862 · https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/scenic-drive-on-fayette-station-road.htm

#### Stay: Adventures on the Gorge (Lansing)

This private resort near the bridge offers a range from rustic bunk cabins with shared bathrooms (linens not included) to hotel-style and loft cabins, glamping tents, RV and tent sites and vacation homes, plus on-site rafting, ziplines and dining. It puts you a short drive from the Day 1 and Day 2 starting points. The resort site does not publish rates on the pages reviewed, so price is not listed here.

Place: Adventures on the Gorge · 219 Chestnutburg Road, Lansing, WV 25862 · Hours: Check-in 4:00 PM; check-out 10:00 AM (official site) · https://www.adventuresonthegorge.com

### Day 2: Down the Gorge and Into Thurmond (Fri-Sun)

A steep morning descent on the Kaymoor Miners Trail, a picnic, and the historic town of Thurmond, with Dunloup Falls on the way out. Plan this day for a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, when the upper Kaymoor trail is typically open; Saturday or Sunday also catches the Thurmond Depot visitor center in fall. On a Monday-Thursday, see the weekday swap in the tips.

#### Kaymoor Miners Trail to the Coke Ovens (8:30 AM)

Today is the leg-burner, and it works best Friday through Sunday: the upper trail (Kaymoor Top to the mine site) is typically closed Monday-Thursday during its rehab season, so check current dates. The trail drops steeply from the rim through forest, with rocky stairs and switchbacks. There is a gorge viewpoint 0.2 miles down, and the Kaymoor mine site sits 0.5 miles down. Below it, wooden stairs (821 steps) continue toward the coke ovens near river level. The whole trail is 1.0 mile with a 900 ft descent. Do not walk on the active railroad tracks at river level; they are private property.

The data below are for the round trip to the coke ovens, about 2 miles, with roughly 900 ft to climb back out (taken as equal to the listed descent figure). If your legs say stop early, turn around at the mine site (0.5 mi one way).

- Distance: 2 mi
- Elevation gain: 900 ft
- Difficulty: Strenuous

Place: Kaymoor Miners Trail (Kaymoor Top) · https://www.nps.gov/places/kaymoor-miners-trail.htm

#### Pick Up a Picnic in Fayetteville (11:30 AM)

Thurmond has no automotive services, and the town is small, so buy sandwiches and water in Fayetteville before you leave. Eat on a bench near the depot or on the drive.

#### Thurmond Historic District Walking Tour (1:00 PM)

Thurmond was a coal-and-rail boomtown in the early 1900s; its C&O operation was first in revenue receipts in 1910, and its banks were among the richest in the state. Today the depot, commissary, bank, engine house and the ruins of the Lafayette Hotel line up along the tracks, and the walking tour has numbered stops. The restored Thurmond Depot serves as a visitor center that is typically open daily in summer and weekends only in September and October (see the tips for current dates). The road in is WV Route 25 from the Glen Jean exit, seven miles of narrow, winding road that is not recommended for RVs and trailers.

- Best time: Saturday or Sunday in fall, when the depot visitor center is typically open
- Time needed: Self-guided; about 2 hours

Place: Thurmond Historic District · 254 River Crest Road, Thurmond, WV 25936 · Hours: Grounds open daily; Thurmond Depot Visitor Center 10 AM - 5 PM when open, typically daily in summer and weekends only in September-October · https://www.nps.gov/places/thurmond-historic-district.htm

#### Dunloup Falls Roadside Stop (3:30 PM)

On the way back up the road from Thurmond, pull off for Dunloup Falls, where Dunloup Creek drops about 20 feet off a shelf of sandstone. It is stop 5 of the park's waterfall tour, and lucky visitors may see a coal train on the tracks just above the falls. Flow depends on recent rain.

- Best time: After rain
- Time needed: Roadside stop

Place: Dunloup Falls · https://www.nps.gov/places/dunloup-falls.htm

### Day 3: Grandview Rim and Sandstone Falls

Early views at Grandview (leave Fayetteville about 7:00 AM; mapping tools show roughly 50 minutes), the Castle Rock loop, then south to Sandstone for a visitor center picnic and the falls from above and from the boardwalk.

#### Grandview Main Overlook (8:00 AM)

Grandview is the highest point in the park, with a view down into a horseshoe bend of the New River about 1,400 feet below. The overlook is open year-round and sunrise is a big draw; in warm months you may spot rafters far below. Get there early, before the walks.

- Best time: Sunrise or early morning
- Time needed: 15 minutes; more for photos

Place: Grandview Main Overlook · https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/grandview-main-overlook.htm

#### Castle Rock and Grandview Rim Loop (8:45 AM)

Castle Rock is described as the most unique and fun trail here, and also strenuous. It runs 0.6 miles from near Main Overlook beneath fortress-like rock walls with exposed coal seams, on uneven rock steps about 3 feet wide with the gorge just off to one side. Turn left at the junction with the Grandview Rim Trail and you return to the parking area for about 1.1 miles in total, a great one-mile-scale loop under the overhanging cliffs and past the rim views. Add Turkey Spur for about 3.2 miles total. Skip Castle Rock in rain, ice or snow. No elevation gain is published, so this is typed as an activity.

- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Time needed: Loop about 1.1 miles; with Turkey Spur about 3.2 miles

Place: Castle Rock Trail and Grandview Rim Trail · https://www.nps.gov/places/castle-rock-trail.htm

#### Sandstone Visitor Center and Picnic Lunch (11:15 AM)

A green-design building with exhibits on the New River watershed, a park film, a native plant garden, picnic areas and a bookstore. It is open daily 9-5. Eat the picnic you brought here before the second half of the day.

- Time needed: About an hour with lunch

Place: Sandstone Visitor Center · 330 Meadow Creek Road, Sandstone, WV 25985 · Hours: Daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day · https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/sandstone.htm

#### Sandstone Falls Overlook (12:30 PM)

A short gravel walkway descends from the parking lot to a view of the falls and river about 600 feet below. The overlook is 3 miles south of I-64 exit 139 on WV 20, and it is the high-flyer's perspective before you go down to river level.

- Time needed: 0.1 mile walkway

Place: Sandstone Falls Overlook · https://www.nps.gov/places/sandstone-falls-overlook.htm

#### Sandstone Falls Boardwalk (1:30 PM)

The largest waterfall on the New River spans about 1,500 feet, split by islands into drops of 10 to 25 feet. A quarter-mile accessible boardwalk crosses two bridges to island observation decks; the boardwalk crosses a rare Appalachian riverside flatrock plant community. The park's page gives the drive down the mountain from the overlook as about 25 minutes; mapping tools show closer to 35.

- Difficulty: Easy
- Time needed: 0.25 mile boardwalk plus a 0.25-mile optional loop; about 30 minutes

Place: Sandstone Falls Boardwalk · https://www.nps.gov/places/sandstone-falls-boardwalk.htm

## Where to stay near New River Gorge

### Stay: Adventures on the Gorge (Lansing)

This private resort near the bridge offers a range from rustic bunk cabins with shared bathrooms (linens not included) to hotel-style and loft cabins, glamping tents, RV and tent sites and vacation homes, plus on-site rafting, ziplines and dining. It puts you a short drive from the Day 1 and Day 2 starting points. The resort site does not publish rates on the pages reviewed, so price is not listed here.

Place: Adventures on the Gorge · 219 Chestnutburg Road, Lansing, WV 25862 · Hours: Check-in 4:00 PM; check-out 10:00 AM (official site) · https://www.adventuresonthegorge.com

### Hawks Nest State Park Lodge (Ansted)

West Virginia state park with lodge rooms and other stays, a nature museum, jetboat rides and hiking trails on 270 acres; an on-site restaurant is listed. It sits north of the main Fayetteville hub, on the way in from the Charleston side. Rates were not published in the retrieved page; book via the state reservation system.

Place: Hawks Nest State Park · 49 Hawks Nest Park Rd, Ansted, WV 25812 · https://www.wvstateparks.com/park/hawks-nest-state-park/

### Meadow Creek Campground (NPS, free, first-come)

A primitive campground on the New River about one mile from Sandstone Visitor Center with 17 sites in an open field (tent-focused). No drinking water or hookups; limited restrooms. There is no camping fee and sites are first-come, first-served (group site can be reserved by phone). Trains can be heard, and the low-grade railroad crossing is not suitable for long RVs. It is best paired with Day 3 in the south.

Place: Meadow Creek Campground · 774 South Riverside Road, Sandstone, WV 25977 · https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/camping.htm

### Stone Cliff Campground (NPS, free, walk-in tent)

Tent-only, walk-in campground near Thurmond: 7 sites, 5 on a sandy beach of the New River and 2 in the forest; no car or RV camping. First-come, first-served, no fee, no reservations. Convenient for Day 2.

Place: Stone Cliff Campground · Stone Cliff Campground, Thurmond, WV 25963 · https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/camping.htm

## Where to eat in Lansing

### Smokey's Gorge breakfast (Adventures on the Gorge)

The resort's restaurant serves Appalachian-inspired cuisine with gorge views and is open to the public per its page. Breakfast is listed Friday-Monday 6-10 AM (pre-paid buffet listed at $16 adults/youth 10+, $14 children under 9 as of 2026-09-29); the bar is open Fri-Sat 6 PM-12 AM.

Place: Smokey's on the Gorge · 219 Chestnutburg Road, Lansing, WV 25862 · Hours: Breakfast Fri-Mon 6-10 AM; bar Fri-Sat 6 PM-12 AM (official site) · https://www.adventuresonthegorge.com/dining/smokeys-gorge

## New River Gorge travel tips

**Getting there.** The park is spread along about 53 river miles of the New River; this trip is based near Fayetteville (Canyon Rim / Lansing area) and reaches the Thurmond and Grandview/Sandstone sections by car. Entry to the park is free and there are no entrance fees (feespasses record). Camping in the park's primitive campgrounds is free, first-come, first-served with no reservations.

**Driving times (mapping estimates).** Fayetteville to Grandview roughly 50 minutes; Grandview to Sandstone Visitor Center about 25 minutes; Sandstone Falls overlook to boardwalk about 30-35 minutes (the park's page says 25); Sandstone Visitor Center back to Fayetteville about 55 minutes, or about 1.5 hours from the Sandstone Falls boardwalk via River Road and Hinton. RVs and trailers are not advised on WV Route 25 to Thurmond.

**Permits and reservations.** No permits or timed entry are listed for the day-use sites here. Backcountry camping requires no permit but is not allowed within 100 feet of trails (park Camping page). Parking lots at popular trailheads fill quickly, so have a backup hike (park Hiking page).

**Seasons and crowds.** Spring rhododendron bloom (around May), summer swimming and rafting, and fall color make May-June and September-October the strongest months. Commercial rafting on the New typically runs April-October; the Gauley River's main season is early September through mid-October. Go early to Endless Wall.

**Day 2 timing and weekday swap.** The upper Kaymoor Miners Trail is typically open Friday-Sunday only during its rehab season (through mid-to-late November; check current dates), and the Thurmond Depot visitor center is typically weekend-only in September-October. Best: make Day 2 a Saturday or Sunday. If your dates are Monday-Thursday, skip Kaymoor and spend the morning on a longer Long Point walk or the Fayette Station Road river-level stops, then follow the rest of Day 2 (the Thurmond grounds can be walked any day; only the depot is limited).

**Safety.** Cliff edges at Long Point and Endless Wall are unprotected. Castle Rock steps are uneven; skip in rain, ice or snow. Stay off the active railroad tracks at river level near Kaymoor.

**Current conditions (as of 2026-09-29, from the park alerts feed; check before you go).**
- Canyon Rim Visitor Center: paving work on US 19 may close the entrance from Rt 19 periodically (started Sept 15); visitors can use the next road north (Lansing Edmond Road), then Fayette Station Road.
- Kaymoor Miners Trail: the upper section (Kaymoor Top to the mine site) is closed Monday-Thursday from June 15 through November 19 per the alert (the place page lists June 30-November 14; the later date is used here); open Friday-Sunday. Schedule Day 2 accordingly.
- Thurmond Depot Visitor Center: weekends only (Sat/Sun 10 AM-5 PM) September 8-October 25, 2026, and closed October 31, 2026 through May 26, 2027.
- Sandstone Visitor Center: 9:30 AM-5 PM daily through October 31, 2026 under an exception labelled 'Highway Ramp Closure'; the record does not say which ramp, so allow extra time for the approach and confirm with the park.
- Church Loop Trail (Thurmond area): temporarily closed for downed trees.
- Burnwood group campground and Burnwood trailhead restrooms: closed October 5 through mid-November.
- Rend Trail: closed through December 2027 for improvements.
- The Grandview visitor center is seasonal; confirm before relying on it.

## New River Gorge trip FAQ

**How many days does this New River Gorge itinerary take?**

3 days to cover New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. Day 1: Gorge Rim and the Bridge; Day 2: Down the Gorge and Into Thurmond (Fri-Sun); Day 3: Grandview Rim and Sandstone Falls.

**When is the best time for New River Gorge?**

The best months are May to June and September to October.

**What are the highlights of this New River Gorge itinerary?**

Endless Wall cliff-edge trail and Diamond Point overlook; Canyon Rim overlooks and Long Point views of the New River Gorge Bridge; Fayette Station Road drive beneath the bridge; Kaymoor Miners Trail descent past a coal mine site to the coke ovens (Fri-Sun); Thurmond, a preserved coal and railroad boomtown.

**Where should you stay for New River Gorge?**

This itinerary suggests Adventures on the Gorge, Hawks Nest State Park, Meadow Creek Campground and Stone Cliff Campground. Check current rates and availability before you book.

**Where should you eat on this New River Gorge trip?**

Places this itinerary uses or suggests include Secret Sandwich Society (Fayetteville) and Smokey's on the Gorge. Opening hours change, so confirm before you go.

## Sources

- [National Park Service: nps.gov/neri](https://www.nps.gov/neri/index.htm)
- [NPS: Hiking at New River Gorge](https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/hiking.htm)
- [NPS: Endless Wall Trail](https://www.nps.gov/places/endless-wall-trail.htm)
- [Secret Sandwich Society official site (Fayetteville location)](https://secretsandwichsociety.com/)
- [NPS: Long Point Trail](https://www.nps.gov/places/long-point-trail.htm)
- [NPS: Fayette Station Road](https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/scenic-drive-on-fayette-station-road.htm)
- [Adventures on the Gorge official site](https://www.adventuresonthegorge.com/)
- [AOTG: Rustic Cabins](https://www.adventuresonthegorge.com/lodging/rustic-cabins)
- [NPS: Kaymoor Miners Trail](https://www.nps.gov/places/kaymoor-miners-trail.htm)
- [NPS: Thurmond Historic District](https://www.nps.gov/places/thurmond-historic-district.htm)
- [NPS: Waterfall tour](https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm)
- [NPS: Grandview Rim Trail](https://www.nps.gov/places/grandview-rim-trail.htm)
- [NPS: Castle Rock Trail](https://www.nps.gov/places/castle-rock-trail.htm)
- [NPS: Sandstone Falls Overlook](https://www.nps.gov/places/sandstone-falls-overlook.htm)
- [WV State Parks: Hawks Nest State Park](https://www.wvstateparks.com/park/hawks-nest-state-park/)
- [NPS: Camping](https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/camping.htm)
- [Smokey's on the Gorge official page](https://www.adventuresonthegorge.com/dining/smokeys-gorge)

Distances and drive times are typical figures without live traffic; toll amounts are estimates. Confirm opening hours, fees, permits and closures with the park or business before you go.

Plan this trip in the DriftKin app: https://driftkin.app/trips/new-river-gorge-3-day-bridge-rim-and-rails