Ep. 276: New River Gorge | National Park West Virginia hiking camping history

Southern West Virginia's New River Gorge is perhaps best known for this bridge that conveys US Route 19 across the New River, one of the highest vehicular bridges in the world. The bridge, however, is just a fraction of the intrigue of the New River Gorge, which just became a U.S. National Park in 2020. The park is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities. It's home to some of the country's best whitewater rafting, and is also one of the most popular climbing areas on the East Coast. It's also home to historic timbering and coal mining operations that helped fuel American industry, which we'll explore throughout this entire Grand Adventure. In addition to hiking to a coal mine while camping at Lake Stephens County Park near Beckley, we'll also visit some beautifully historic architecture at The Greenbrier.
Filmed: September 11-17, 2022
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:48 New River Gorge Bridge
2:51 Fayetteville & Glen Jean
3:41 Thurmond Historic District
7:50 SPONSOR: RV Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding
9:56 Thayer & Prince
11:45 Grandview
12:19 Sandstone Falls
13:50 Hinton
14:56 Nuttallburg
20:40 Nuttall Mine
26:56 The Greenbrier
29:35 Lake Stephens County Park Campground
32:52 Wrap-up and what's next
FOR MORE INFORMATION
* New River Gorge National Park & Preserve www.nps.gov/neri
* The Greenbrier www.greenbrier.com/
* Lake Stephens County Park raleighcountyparks.org/lake-s...
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We're based in Salt Lake City, Utah during the winter months, and invite you to come along as we travel all around the U.S. My wife Patricia and I, and dog Zoe are avid boondockers, so while you'll occasionally find us in RV parks or even dry campgrounds, we're usually camped in some of the most remote and beautiful spots that you could ever pull a travel trailer into. We've now transitioned from "long-timing" for six months a year, to living and traveling in our RV full-time.
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#RV #travel #camping #newrivergorge #westvirginia #RVlife #RVliving #GrandAdventure #nationalpark

[@GrandAdventure]

Visit our sponsor rvmattress.com/grandadventure to get 20% off your purchase of a new quality RV Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding with the promo code "grandadventure"!

[@user-im4sw5rl7m]

Some of the very best smallmouth bass fishing I ever been around.

[@mitchsmolow6268]

I've been kayaking the New, Gauley, and other rivers in that watershed for over 20 years. I've driven or paddled by many of the places you name without ever knowing their history. Thanks for the lesson, it was meaningful to me.

[@GrandAdventure]

You're most welcome Mitch! We're thrilled that we were able to share something new with someone so familiar with the area.

[@kimwilkins1500]

I was born and raised in WV and lived and graduated High School in the southern most county of McDowell (home of the Rocket Boys) where coal mining was in its heyday in the 70s. Your were in my old stomping grounds. We are full timers and currently staying in wonderful state of WV in the Eastern Panhandle, close to kids and grandkids, until we leave for FL in December. Loved hearing the history and seeing the sights, Mark! Thank you!

[@GrandAdventure]

You're most welcome Kim, thanks for watching! Your old stomping grounds is a beautiful place indeed.

[@leighmcqueeney9848]

It never ceases to amaze me how you can pack your videos with facts whilst making them 100% entertaining. Cheers from Turkey Bayou Il. The 2 Tasmanians

[@GrandAdventure]

Cheers to you Leigh! Thank you, and thank you also for making me look up Turkey Bayou.

[@gypsymountaineers3215]

Thank you so much for this beautifully done video, Marc! Me and Jim LOVED it! You do such a good job with history and showcasing the best of what can be found wherever you travel. You did us proud! ❤

[@GrandAdventure]

Glad you enjoyed it Jim and Sue, thank you so much!

[@timaz1066]

I love the history that you put into your videos Mark. It’s sad that our government is trying to kill all of the coal oil and gas industry. Thanks again for another great video.

[@GrandAdventure]

You're most welcome Timaz, and thank you as always!

[@forester057]

Criminal actually. When they succeed millions will die of cold, starvation etc etc. The idiots don’t deserve the power they are given.

[@Don-md6wn]

Timaz, if you want to see sad, look at all of the butchered mountaintops and early deaths from mine collapses and black lung disease in West Virginia. I have no idea how any thinking person could think West Virginia's terrible economic plight is going to be fixed with coal mining. Your brain has been polluted by right wing politics.

[@edwardlulofs444]

I haven't been there since the 80s. It certainly deserves to be a national park and I'm glad to hear about it. Thanks

[@GrandAdventure]

We agree Edward, thanks for watching!

[@madonnaknowles1180]

My family lives in Oak Hill. Love the Gauley River and parks. 😊😊

[@GrandAdventure]

It's a beautiful area, Madonna. Thanks so much for watching!

[@scotty92028]

Totally awesome❣️

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks Scott!

[@lorih379]

Really beautiful area the bridge, that amazing hotel, every time I watch one of your videos I want to go there!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Lori!

[@willbygosh4887]

Our newest National Park!

[@GrandAdventure]

Indeed.

[@davidmccartney7577]

New River flows north and it’s the oldest river in America and the second oldest in the world. It’s head waters start in Todd NC as the North and South Fork New River forming the New River. The New River is what flows into and forms Clayton Lake “Dam” in Radford VA😉

[@GrandAdventure]

Great factoids David! Thanks for sharing that.

[@davidmccartney7577]

@@GrandAdventure Sorry to disappoint you sir but, that’s 100% facts. I lived on it🧐

[@GrandAdventure]

@@davidmccartney7577 you're not disappointing me one iota. Enjoyed reading it.

[@davidmccartney7577]

@@GrandAdventure I wasn’t trying to steal your fire! I just thought since you were talking about something I had knowledge on I’d share it with your audience so they’d get the history of the River that formed the gorge. I’ll unsubscribe so I won’t step on your toes again🥴

[@pclouse07]

I’ve wanted to know more about this National Park. I so loved the hiking trails and will be sure to find my way to them when we visit. Cape Hatteras is also someplace I’ve always wanted to go (I LOVE NAtional Seashores!) So we will be watching for next weeks episodes! We can just follow you around the country and hit every National Park, Lake, River and seashore we’ve ever wanted to see! Thanks for the great tips on campgrounds and more! Appreciate your sharing!

[@nationalparksprincess3216]

Hi Mark, It's me ( Donaleanne ) I really enjoyed this episode of our newest National Park, you gave such a great overview and history. You really show all the park has to offer, it's still on my list so I appreciate how you go over so much in your video.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much Donaleanne! Wonderful to hear from you again, safe travels to you.

[@TomSpurlock]

Nice one Marc. We visited the New River Bridge area last year in April. You saw and learned a lot more than we did. Thanks for the history lesson.

[@GrandAdventure]

Our pleasure Tom, for we loved learning about it as we went.

[@thetraveltrailerguy]

Another great video, thank you and safe travels

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Michael, and same to you!

[@brianleonard6885]

❤❤❤❤ Bravo 👏 Video .. I love my state WV and you did a wonderful job with this 👏.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so very much, Brian! We had a wonderful stay.

[@Serf_dumb]

Accidentally discovered the national park 2 years ago as I crossed the New River Gorge Bridge on my way to Ace Adventure Resort. As you rightly said, it appears unassuming and I wouldn't have thought to stop were it not for a scenic overlook sign that alerted me to a magnificent gem of an area.

[@GrandAdventure]

It's a pretty special place, isn't it? Thanks as always for watching!

[@Serf_dumb]

@@GrandAdventure it certainly is and can't wait to go back! As always, I eagerly look forward to your content 😃

[@brookeshaffer4377]

What a pretty area!Thanks for showcasing this Marc🌟Take care.See ya next time👍

[@GrandAdventure]

See ya then, Brooke.

[@joyces3550]

Wonderful video Marc, thanks

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you as always Joyce!

[@craftytraveler9238]

Thanks for the video. lots of interesting places and beautiful scenery. I won't be staying at that campground.

[@GrandAdventure]

Our pleasure CT, thanks so much for watching!

[@gregevans1804]

Great adventure really enjoyed this video 😊

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Greg!

[@gina50gina]

What a gorgeous area full of life. The history in those old ruins is palpable. What a feeling that must have been!

[@GrandAdventure]

Especially being the only one at Nuttallburg, Suzane, so no distractions from the present day. That was a truly special experience.

[@gina50gina]

@@GrandAdventure That had to be a rare and enriching experience ❣️

[@Don-md6wn]

There is a beautiful and very easy hike in this area called the Endless Wall Trail. It's out and back, 2.4 miles each way with less than 500 feet of elevation gain. The trail is along the canyon rim with spectacular views of the canyon and the New River Gorge bridge.

[@GrandAdventure]

Great tip, Don. Thank you for that!

[@Don-md6wn]

@@GrandAdventure I hiked and photographed it early one morning in October, 2016 when the valley was in clouds to just below the bottom of the bridge. If you're ever back in West Virginia, the area around Davis with Blackwater Falls State Park, the Dolly Sods Wilderness, Seneca Rocks and Cranberry Glades has a lot of great scenery and hiking. It's higher elevation and colder than the New River Gorge area. Their fall color season is usually the last week of September into early October. But that area is sparsely populated, no hip restaurants and microbreweries like in Fayetteville.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@Don-md6wn more great tips, thanks! I remember Dolly Sods, for a friend of mine wrote a piece about backcountry skiing up there for a ski magazine that I edited back in the early 2000's. It looked gorgeous.

[@STF68]

Hiking the mountains of WV in Crocs! You fit right in! 😂

[@GrandAdventure]

😄

[@GimpyCamper]

Great information as usual

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you as usual, Barratt!

[@jwrappuhn71]

Excellent vid Marc.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks so much as always!

[@travelingmertonandsue]

We have driven through West Virginia multiple times. Looks like the next time we need to take a breath, stop, and do some exploring. Thanks for the share marc! >Merton 😎✌👌

[@GrandAdventure]

It's worth a stop, Merton, and we have a whole lot more there that we want to explore, too. Thanks so much for watching!

[@TeacherCarlsTravels]

I greatly appreciate this video, not only for the views, and the historical background, but for your effort of taking the hike to the coal mine. I know it's not just the sometimes steep and difficult climb, but the fact that you set-up the camera, backed-up and retraced your steps for the camera shots. Thanks.

[@GrandAdventure]

We had a blast doing it, Carl! Like everything, though, any time you film it takes 3x as long to complete. 😄

[@laughingram7287]

That is a super high bridge; funny the perspective from on top compared to underneath. Many people driving across have no idea. The Nuttall mine was very interesting. I’m glad you didn’t get hurt while being up there all by yourself. TheGreenbrier was very impressive. It reminds me of the Coronado Hotel in San Diego. Thanks Marc! Ram 👍🏼👍🏽

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks Ram! Yup, the different perspectives on that bridge are absolutely remarkable.

[@LeslinAdventures]

ThNks for the info mark. Will definitely visit there soon 🔜

[@GrandAdventure]

Have fun when you do, for it's a fascinating place. Thanks for watching!

[@najruqwi7008]

Great tour 👍

[@GrandAdventure]

Glad you enjoyed it Naj, thanks as always!

[@donanderson4756]

Nicely done vidoe. You have convinced to visit this area.

[@GrandAdventure]

We're very happy to hear that, Don. It's definitely worthy of a visit. Thank you very much, and thanks for watching!

[@judystreich7333]

Very interesting, thanks

[@GrandAdventure]

You're most welcome Judy, thanks for watching!

[@bradansworld]

Your nuttelberg footage brought back memories for me of hiking there years ago. It had that eerie quiet ghost town feel then so hopefully you got the same thrill being there I did!

[@GrandAdventure]

I absolutely did, Sammy. That's what made it so special. Happy to bring you back!

[@lindaborgert589]

Grew up an hour from here in Charleston. We always stopped at Hawk’s Nest to eat on the way to my Grandmother’s. “Hinton’s (Hinting) up the River” was what my Dad would say.

[@GrandAdventure]

Happy that we could bring you back for about a half hour or so, Linda! Thanks for sharing great memories.

[@ShawnPatterson402]

That was a brilliant episode. Clearly a beautiful area, and so much to see. It is on our list of future destinations for sure. I have to agree with you that the campground looked a tad weird. But hey, that is the beauty of travelling with an RV, tomorrow you can pull it somewhere else. As always, safe travels.....

[@GrandAdventure]

So true, Shawn. Thank you very much, and safe travels to you as well!

[@ricksplace55]

I also live the historic buildings and local sceneries Great job on the video. Beautiful

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Rick! We appreciate that you watched.

[@gerrysherman2007]

We visited the area last Fall and stayed at Sommersville Lake. Lovely Army Corps of Engineers campground.

[@GrandAdventure]

We've heard great things about that lake, Gerry. Next time for sure.

[@mark98070]

Another awesome video!! Thanks Mark

[@GrandAdventure]

We appreciate that as always, Mike. Thank you!

[@JasonScottCarter]

Grew up in that area. Miss it now I moved away. Glad to see you enjoyed it. So much more than one video worth. I encourage everyone to go visit for yourselves.

[@GrandAdventure]

That's great advice, Jason. Thanks so much for watching.

[@cpwatching5647]

Nice place well done!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks as always CP!

[@moretoliving2236]

I remember when this NP was being discussed and many people were having all sorts of split opinions on the matter. For one Shenandoah National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway, Seneca Rocks and all these other places are already there and people generally gravitate towards all that. We did a few camping trips to the area (in fact we rented an rv, I submitted a video to rental place and they gave us a $500 voucher so we rented another rv) That was back in the day when I had my little teardrop trailer. I think it will take quite a bit of time for that area to gain traction considering other options in the area provide anything from giant caves to giant natural bridges and more. Time will tell.

[@GrandAdventure]

What makes this one really different is that it's comprised of multiple separate parcels, rather than one homogenous national park.

[@markrizzuto8751]

This is perfect since we are planning a trip to WV in 2023, you did a great job and thanks for the insight on the campground. I’m surprised to see you on the east Coast

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks Mark! This is only our second swing east in the RV ever, but we're enjoying ourselves. I do miss our boondocking, though.

[@dianestevenson2630]

Another fantasist video. I went to West Va when I was in college and loved it. It is such a beautiful state. Thanks for sharing more of the state with us.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks for watching, Diane! Great to hear from you as always.

[@MellowNomadicAdventures]

You create awesome videos!! I see why you have 74k subscribers! I love going to the New River Gorge! It’s gorgeous there! Thanks for sharing!!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so very much MNA!

[@ervinslens]

Gorgeous work friend, majestic place. Your shots are majestic!🔥🔥

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much!

[@SevenBears1]

That's quality viewing. Great angles great lighting of points of interest. Hard to pick a favorite part. I paused video to look at foundation masonry. Thanks GA

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank YOU J!

[@Thesaltymedic36]

We made that same loop you did. I was disappointed in the Greenbrier. I took the tour and the information was neat but not a lot of the Cold War stuff, only in a few rooms on the tour. It is a nice area though. I thought it was interesting how they built it there due to wind direction in case of a nuclear attack. The interstate was a runway, rail was there and you could drive there to escape and how the railroad laundries all the money to build it and operate it for decades. No wonder why they had great benefits back then 😂 Great video 👍🏼

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks TSM! I felt a bit out of place at The Greenbrier -- not only being hopelessly underdressed, but it's just not the type of scene that we seek out. It started out at the gate shack: "Oh, you're not checking in? Well then, feel free to turn around, park across the road and take a shuttle bus." I would've loved to have seen the bunker but our timing (visiting late afternoon midweek after work) didn't work for that.

[@Thesaltymedic36]

@@GrandAdventure yeah we took the shuttle too LoL. You didn’t miss much.

[@KiltedVeteran]

Love New River Gorge. My grandma lives minutes from it and I enjoyed camping there when I lived in WV well before it was a national park. My grandma said we had a relative who used to be mayor of Fayetteville (can't remember which relative). Remember, Bridge Day is on October 15th. It's a pretty cool event. Last but not least, WVU > Marshall 😄

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks for sharing that Anthony! Cool family history. We wish we were there for Bridge Day this weekend -- we have some friends going, but we're now down in GA.

[@daviscrt]

great video. LOL you definitely didn't have the right shoes for sure. l would do the same. you're all ready there. beautiful part but definitely a real bad design. thanks again Don

[@GrandAdventure]

Wrong shoes but the highlight of our visit, for me anyway. From what I could tell the county is actually building another campground loop on an adjacent peninsula, here's hoping that they get that one right.

[@gorrdd]

Thanks Marc. Loved the write-up below the caption title. I was there for some white water rafting back in mid eighties. I'll be interested to see what the National Park system has done in terms of improvements. Gord

[@gorrdd]

Marc, At the opening scene of the park, I immediately went, "Ooooh sardines... this must be Little Sardinia!"💨🤣 Loved the content though. You covered so many things with such great images. I was wondering how the poison ivy greeted your ankles along the path up to the mine entrance. Yup... just not enough kud-zu, sumac, and poison ivy in West Virginia. It's all about negotiation... I guess. I had never seen the Greenbriar before. Heard of it many times, but didn't realize it was that immense. It's clear that the National Park Services hasn't put much money into this installation. Looking forward to next week's adventure on the east coast. Gord

[@GrandAdventure]

Give 'em time, Ford. It's also a very disjointed park, with many separate units separated by miles. I somehow escaped the poison ivy, although I was on the lookout for the dreaded three leaves. Glad that you enjoyed it! Thank you.

[@gorrdd]

@@GrandAdventure Thanks Marc. As more parks open up and offer better spacing, things will likely change out of necessity. Yeah, if the PI doesn't overhang the path, you will be ok. Thing is, with all the setup of shots of you walking up the path, you had to be getting close to it. Did you get the fog in the mornings in the gorge? I always love the history lesson you provide. Makes the whole thing so engaging. Always worth a second watch to get all the details. Gord

[@GrandAdventure]

@@gorrdd I kept a sharp lookout as I grew up with poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac (the trifecta from hell) in coastal Connecticut. Regrettably we never got to savor hanging fog in the Gorge.

[@mccarthy7566]

Great video Marc!! How did you find all of those places? I saw park information signs in your video; I hope that since becoming a National Park the history and area has become easier to explore. BTW, did you take in any antique stores? I find that area to have an abundance of cool old mining/Appalachia type of antiques you don't find any where else.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks Pete! It was a mix of Googling, the NPS map, and some time with other maps that led us to those spots. Still, information remains sparse so you have to do a bit of research. We didn't make it to any antique stores although they were aplenty.

[@simplelife5861]

How would you rate the difficulty of the hike to the mines? Awesome video!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you! Steep and some loose stuff, but relatively short so I'd give it a "moderate".

[@joemiles6917]

Too bad you didn't get to see the Cass Scenic Railroad in WV.

[@GrandAdventure]

Not to worry, Joe, for we'll be back. We were sort of making a beeline for the coast.

[@gypsymountaineers3215]

We took our son’s family to Cass on August 4 and rode to the top. Expensive but I love that train ride so much! ❤

[@joemiles6917]

@@gypsymountaineers3215 We did that years ago. I want to go back again sometime.

[@TLG78]

Thinking about going to this park in March. Have any idea about a campground besides the one you stayed?😂 It for sure looked like a tight messy place to park a 33 ft fifth wheel. I’m in central KY so it would only be a five or six hour drive for us.

[@GrandAdventure]

We certainly can't in good conscience recommend where we stayed, Terry. There are a number of dry campgrounds within the new National Park that are free and FCFS. I like what I've seen from others of the Army Road campground. Otherwise, truth be told we really didn't look at the other options while we were there.

[@TLG78]

@@GrandAdventure thanks Mark. I’ll shop around. I appreciate your show so much.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@TLG78 and we appreciate you and all of our viewers. Thank you for being there!

[@TheWolfPackFam]

excellent video! Where did you camp?

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you! Right at the County campground shown at the end of the video.

[@TeacherCarlsTravels]

Aren't there boondocking opportunities in the area?

[@GrandAdventure]

There are, Carl. However, most were down some really tight roads, and all had too much tree cover for us to use Starlink to work for the week.

[@forester057]

A constructive criticism (no response expected). Your mic can pick up your voice just fine without yelling. Yelling just blows out the mic which is very uncomfortable to listen to like my speakers are blowing out. Love your vids, but yelling into the mic makes it hard to listen to.

[@GrandAdventure]

Appreciate your feedback. I'm not a quiet guy. ;) However, there are times like this episode that our mic gain was set too high