New River Gorge National Park: 24 Hours Hiking and Exploring in West Virginia

[@leeinehopkins1799]

Me and my wife Ine have been watching and loving your videos with Pops and your family for sometime from the Netherlands. Our daughter is working and studying in Durham NC and we will visit her in the summer. On our drive back to New York, this National Park is on the list to visit! Many thanks for the wonderful videos. We’ll keep watching!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for watching the videos from the Netherlands, that is somewhere I have always wanted to go! I hope you have a great summer trip

[@lorisasser3219]

Yes, Josh, that kind of weather is completely normal in the South and the East. Glad you stayed safe!

[@velojayf]

And the Mid-west

[@GraceCook-g1l]

Did you hear a weather report. You may have experienced a microburst or straight line winds. Or a tornadic event. But the first two are more common. In spite of the storm WVA is an absolutely beautiful state. The food is really good too when you experience native cooking. I almost never ate at chains when I could find Mom and Pop restaurants. I miss those trips.

[@rhondaz356]

This was spellbinding. Nobody captures the highlights of these parks, or any of your destinations, as well as you do. I thoroughly enjoyed it. That weather was something else. Thanks a bunch, Josh. I'm glad you were able to accomplish most of your goals. 🏞🤠🌲👏🏻👏🏻

[@swimlilfizhy]

Thank you so much for the positive video of West Virginia. As someone born and raised here it means a lot to me. I’ve lived in Florida and California, both have great beauty and their ugly places. Just like West Virginia. Grew up in Beckley some I’m glad you got a glimpse of my hometown. I love this state and am thankful for visitors that appreciate the it.

[@karenhaley2198]

When you go back, be sure to fit in a visit to the Beckley Coal Mine. The tour is very well done and they also have a mining town to see.

[@ThroughMyLens]

I will, thanks for the suggestion!

[@marybethmccloy6447]

Josh, I'm so glad that you made it to WV, but I'm sorry you had to show up during one of the worst storms we've had in ages. (And, NO, those storms are not normal--- we have plenty of rain, but not all at once! There was a lot of damage throughout the state that week). I've never seen Babcock's river that full! If you come again, I recommend the fall when the leaves are beautiful. On the 3rd Saturday in October, basejumpers are allowed to jump off the bridge and it's quite the event.

[@LeaKraf]

Josh, you capture the NPs’ beauty like no other KZbinr does! Awesome video and insane storm!

[@beaubows]

Love how you kept positive during this trip! Good vibes 💯🙌🏽

[@sagerosevideography]

My fiancé and I went rooftop tent camping here last year! We did the bridge walk and was by far one of the most fun experiences of my life!

[@tg1600]

I went there this January. Everything was snow capped. To see the mill in snow was lifetime memorable experience. Highly recommended

[@timothyosborn1697]

The firs time I saw that bridge was when I took AMTRAK from Chicago to Wilmingon, DE in 1984. I was travelling thru and looked up and saw that bridge from the tracks along the river. What a sight!

[@alrichardson7027]

Hey, I've been to New River Gorge...Man it's SPECTACULAR!

[@ThroughMyLens]

It really is a beautiful park!

[@joshualanham9023]

I grew up very close to this park and went there several times. It has an amazing history and spectacular four season beauty. Go in the fall or around bridge day and you won't regret you choice.

[@BarbaraAndrulonis]

Our visit to New River Gorge NP, (including Babcock State Park and Hawk's Nest) was one of my favorite vacations. The weather was excellent (sorry that you had rainy weather) and the Bridge Walk was awesome. If you are ever in the area again Josh, you should definitely make time for it. Thanks for another informative video.

[@chrisross3631]

New River Gorge is by far the best hidden NP. We loved doing the bridge walk, and all the trails you highlighted. You did miss the white water rafting, which is one of the best in the country, but maybe next time!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Great suggestion, next time for sure! I would love to white water raft there

[@nikkik.8418]

Wv native! It's nice to see our state getting positive recognition! And it's great to see things that seem so common to us be appreciated for their beauty. It reminds me how truly beautiful WV really is.

[@ThroughMyLens]

It was such a stunning state, I can't imagine how it is in the fall!

[@nikkik.8418]

@@ThroughMyLens blackwater falls in the fall has been a goal of mine that I haven't checked off yet!

[@dianapearson1771]

That was a bad storm that affected the entire area!! Wow!! Still enjoyed the video!! I love watching you and when your Dad is with you!!!

[@travelertrome8449]

Josh - You are always upbeat and positive on your vlogs. If I had waited as long as you did without any notifications of the tour cancelations I would have been very upset. Cheers to your demeanor!

[@mindyourownbusiness579]

Come back for Bridge Day and watch the jumpers it’s always the third Saturday in October

[@JamieMueller]

We've done the bridge walk, it was awesome.

[@ThroughMyLens]

So glad you could do it!

[@michellewitt9397]

We had some crazy weather in the month of April! We love New River Gorge NP, I hope you get the chance to come back in the summer or fall. The trees are beautiful!

[@TR6C]

My wife and I were there a few years ago and loved it. If you go back you should check out the sandstone visitors center to see the falls and check out black water State Park. Love your videos. Keep it up.

[@brendadirksen5988]

I have done the Bridge Walk. It was a little scary to me but it was cool to do. The people rafting in the river at the time looked tiny to us from the bridge.Our guide was informative & made it enjoyable.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Oh wow, that would have been so cool to see!

[@miriammitchell9677]

Appreciate all you do. Thank uuu!

[@ThroughMyLens]

No problem!

[@JeffinBville]

I lived there *before* the bridge and tooled around that gorge all the time from Hinton, north. And, sorry you had stay in Beckley.

[@rx7386]

So glad to see you on the East Coast. I'm hoping after New River Gorge you make the short drive to Coopers Rock and Blackwater Falls.

[@JasonScottCarter]

I am originally from Oak Hill. Small feature in this video. Thanks for showcasing my home area and glad you enjoyed it.

[@hedycohen9804]

Thank you Josh for another great video. That was an unbelievably crazy weather event. Glad you were safe.

[@nikkiemberson5064]

We went in March 2023, it was fantastic!!

[@dawnhorine683]

We just did NRG this past weekend. We did Endless Wall to Diamond Point for sunrise and it was MAGICAL!!! Also, on Fayette Station Rd there is a trail called Bridge Buttress Trail. We did this for sunset and it was AMAZING! If you go back these are must do's! Also, next time go to the Sandstone area, it's cool too. We did Castle Rock to Turkey Spur Overlook, that was an amazing hike. It was foggy and the trails looked like a fairytale. Cathedral Falls was just a trickle for us because they hadn't had much rain, although it poured on us while doing Long Point Trail. West Virgina is so beautiful!

[@NancySaintMarie]

I appreciate your enthusiasm!

[@allisonnorfolk5188]

Yes, this weather is quite normal for West Virginia and Virginia, though more typically in the summer than the spring. I live in eastern Virginia and big storms will roll in, dump a ton of rain, have lots of wind and lightning, and then move on and within an hour or two clear skies will have returned.

[@WestVirginiasBigred271]

I live in Oak Hill and just watched this video. A tornado touchdown in Hico which is only a couple miles from the bridge. Ironically tornadoes are not common in this area. That was only like the second tornado that has hit in Fayette County that I know of or can remember. I'm 49 years old. I enjoyed watching your video. Sorry that your visit was interrupted by the storm. Most of Fayette County was without power for a couple of days.

[@kathimeadows7869]

My husband is from WV. Never went to new river gorge, we will be going there in the very near future. Only 3 hours from where we live. Thanks for sharing.

[@ThroughMyLens]

That's awesome, I hope you enjoy it!

[@truthtalks-7317]

I love your channel. I work with the power company and we were working in Beckley after the storm trying to restore power. West Virginia is truly wild. New River Gorge & Hawks Nest. I t was a great experience.

[@tnxjesus]

Wow im glad you did a video i was planning on it. Now no doubt ill be doing it

[@ThroughMyLens]

Awesome! I hope you enjoy it!

[@marariesmeyer8385]

Thank you. You did great at showing us the area.

[@paulnelson5314]

I had the pleasure in 1985, to visit and BASE jump off that beautiful bridge.

[@cindywestlake6278]

OK, You have inspired us to out this on our bucket list!! Thank you Josh! You do such a wonderful job of putting these videos together and helped us plan multiple vacations!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Very kind of you to say, I hope you can do the bridgewalk when you go!

[@cindywestlake6278]

@ThroughMyLens we are going to try to go this Fall😄

[@gandrjourneys]

Been loving the content recently Josh, all of the east coast content is giving us good ideas on where we should go next near us! Thanks for sharing.

[@MikeMike-K9ZamboTravels]

What a shame about the Bridge Tour! I took it last December and was really impressed with the experience and the tour guides. They gave plenty of time to explore and take lots of pictures. If you have the chance, you should definitely try it again during Bridge Day- Oct 19th 2024 when they open the bridge for BASE jumping!! All your videos are a must watch, thank you!

[@ThroughMyLens]

I will have to go back for that, that sounds awesome!

[@groverrobinsoniv8399]

Love New River Gorge NP. Glad you got to see. Yes, rain like that is normal in the South with changes that fast in the weather. I visited in May shortly after it became a NP and the hikes you did were my favorite Endless Wall, Long Point and Castle Rock. I hate you did not get to do the Bridge Walk. We did it and it was an incredible MUST DO. Just so unique.

[@WV3]

Great video of New River Gorge. I live about 10 minutes from Cathedral Falls and see it weekly. But I’m ashamed to say I’ve never walked the trails at the Gorge. I started watching your videos to see Route 66, Florida, and other beautiful places across this great country. And this vid showed some of the hidden treasures I take for granted in my backyard that the rest of the country is beginning to discover. So glad you enjoyed your time here and you’ll be in awe if you visit in the fall.

[@kristynafish3782]

That storm was insane. I live in WV and we rarely get tornados, but we had many tornados that day. It was very bazaar. We personally didn’t have power for five days. Thank you for doing such a good video about our National Park.

[@kayleebeare]

Boo, so sorry the weather messed up some of your plans! You adapted well though! And to answer your question, yes that weather is completely normal for the south. Pop up crazy storms. Thanks so much for sharing with us! Looking forward to my trip here next month, this was so helpful.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Wow! That is nuts to just have the storms come out of nowhere like that! I hope you have a great trip!

[@alliesyn]

This is my favorite KZbin channel. I’ve been all over Europe / Canada / the Caribbean & Jamaica but I’m chronically ill now. So my traveling days are paused. But gosh these adventures really help. ❤

[@violetbf3773]

I’m glad you were in your car during that crazy storm. Stay safe Josh! 🙌🏽

[@kathrynlebda780]

I have done the Bridge Walk and it is pretty awesome. You are much closer to the road and everytime a car drives over you it feels like an earthquake...which is kinda terrifying. You should totally head back and check out the rafting on the New River as well as Summersville Lake. Cute that you found the "Almost Haven" spot. That's a big West Virginia tourism campaign and you can find them all over the state!

[@ThroughMyLens]

I will have to go back! Yea I saw a few of them while in West Virginia, really fun to see

[@NoOverhead]

That weather was wild! And even crazier I’m here right now (May 5) and it’s so lush and green! What a difference a couple of weeks makes.

[@LittleTravelChannel]

Two parks you’d love if you liked the Castle Rock Trail - Red River Gorge and Pickett State Park. We have trail information on both on our website.

[@ThroughMyLens]

I will check out your site, thanks for the suggestion!

[@Vicki_and_JimC.]

Loved the video, especially because I've been there myself. In October they have jump day, where base jumpers go to jump off of the bridge, landing in the gorge. Love your videos ❤... Vicki

[@ThroughMyLens]

I am glad you have seen it as well! I would love to go during bridge day!

[@christinerolle3876]

Awesome job Josh.thanks for sharing will add this definetely on my bucket list. Cheers from sacramento,california

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for watching!

[@KelseyBarley]

My family enjoys watching your videos and we have used several of them to plan our cross-country trip last summer. We live in Beckley, WV and I really enjoyed your NRG video! I can't believe you were stuck under the bridge during that terrible storm. That day was the worst weather we have experienced for a while in our region. Please don't let the weather keep you from coming back to WV! We have one of the most beautiful states with lots of great state parks! The NRG is just one small piece of WV's beauty. When you come back, please visit Sandstone Falls in Hinton, WV. That is also included in the NP and there are great views of the water falls. Other beautiful places in WV that I love are Cass Railroad, Black Water Falls, Seneca Rocks, and Summersville Lake. WV is breath-taking in the summer and fall. The fall foliage cannot be beat in WV. Thanks for stopping by!

[@SuParker]

We were there the first week in May. Went to the over look at sunrise, lots of falls, including the ones you showed, and the Mill. The visitor center at New River Bridge is amazing. Would recommend visiting this area. ❤

[@nataliecruz1990]

Love your videos! Excited to hopefully see those super long in depth ones soon :)

[@CapricornGirl9]

I live in PA and visit that area frequently with my motorcycle. Thank you for sharing other spots to visit on my next trip down.

[@angelamrivera7365]

Nice to see you two, ! Missing your father. So use to see you and your father. Greetings, Biggggg Hugggggies. 🌲🌳🌴💛

[@ThroughMyLens]

We are getting ready to go on a big road trip together!

[@galindajohnson1574]

Thank you for visiting and filming my great state! If you were in the area around April 2, there was a tornado that touched down a few miles up from the bridge in a town called Hico.

[@davidhypes5228]

He drove through Lavista at 16:15 on his video, so he was definitely there then.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Oh wow, that is the day I was there, I had no idea!

[@stephaniepalmer3302]

Great video! Super helpful, we’re heading to New River gorge park next week!

[@realtymatters]

A very unique experience! Although the storm was so fierce but the instant waterfalls and raging waters were spectacular. The bridge, Grand Vies and Castle Rock sceneries are just amazing and grand. Thanks for shooting these videos and glad that you are safe.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Yea it was crazy to see the waterfalls after it! Glad you liked the video

[@prowrestlingisart6742]

Thurmond is like the East Coast Bodie!

[@rachelblack5733]

We’re going to elope to that place with our parents in June ❤ it looks so beautiful

[@gretahill7692]

I did the bridge walk in 2021 and it was great! When you go back to the park, make sure to visit the Sandstone falls area too! It was beautiful!

[@andreajohnson1796]

OMG , what an awesome beautiful site , its very beautiful and the rain...huh Thanks for sharing JOSH

[@MrJennmad10]

We did the bridge walk with our kids years ago and we still talk about it....they sent us out on tge walk with a 17 year old as our guide it was great but pretty big responsibility for a 17 year old lol ....he stopped us short so we could observe the 2 falcons that nest there. It was a clear beautiful day but at one point we could see clouds below us. The ppl river rafting looked so small from where we were. The bridge walk was a top highlight from all our travels ever!

[@Rab1dllama]

My wife and I went a couple years ago and had a great time. We did most of the same hikes you did. Instead of Thurmond we went to a different spot, I can't remember the name, but it was a coal mine that had been owned by Henry Ford. It was really cool to roam around there. Best of all, we went on two white water rafting trips down the river, which was so much fun. We got some great pizza in the town of Fayetteville at Pies And Pints. We want to go back just for that.

[@normiewoo787]

NRG is maybe my favorite National Park, though I've only visited 17 of them. The places you visited are among the highlights, but if you go back, check out Sandstone Falls and Kaymoor Miners Trail... and, if you have the stomach for it, do some whitewater rafting.

[@ThroughMyLens]

I will do all of those next time, thanks for the suggestion!

[@RonalynWentz]

We are going at the end of this month! Thank you so much for the ideas on what trails to do and the different spots to visit. Our main goal is to do the bridge walk.

[@christopherlands2706]

I missed the Endless Wall but did do a full day of white water rafting at New River Gorge last summer! Loved it!!! We live in North FL right on the border with GA and strong rain storms that come out of nowhere and clear skies right after are common during the summer months :)

[@amestoy1418]

Beautiful places, thanks for sharing it to everyone here.

[@BIODIVERSITYAndnature-Animals]

Very beautiful nature

[@christophercarl6708]

Im going there june 21,white water rafting and im super excited about it!!

[@noexcuses_beliefinmyself]

Thanks for sharing. We love new river gorge…awesome hiking , neat history and fabulous views. One of our fav hikes is kaymoor mine trail. 800 plus steps down the side..and back up but so worth it! Love that you went to cathedral falls! We got married at cathedral falls!

[@opheliamorrison7675]

The bridge walk was amazing! Please go back and try it! Bummer it was closed

[@kerimurphy4240]

Hi from Pennsylvania. Depending when you went to River Gorge National Park, several tornados were reported in WV. The severe weather outbreak was April 5-9, 2024.

[@stevepappas19]

If you make a return trip, make sure to visit Sandstone Falls in the southern end of the park.

[@elg3eco]

Your Videos are great and so informative

[@nickjacuby]

I went to the Chocolate Moose, played mini golf there too….challenging course. Also did Grandview at sunrise, it’s probably the best spot to see the sunrise in WV in general.

[@Elizabeth.F.]

Glad the storm did not hit when you were high up on the wall trail!!😨 It looked heavy like a Florida afternoon rain storm . Great videos always!

[@westzonal]

Great video, thanks for sharing. Never heard of this park before, perhaps one day I will visit it, Greetings from Germany Martin

[@jimfunchess]

Great video!

[@thetravelandhikingjournal]

I did the bridge walk in 2018 and it was amazing, I highly recommend it. You hiked a few trails that I missed when I was there. If I make it back there again, I'll definitely reference back to this video for those trails.

[@ThroughMyLens]

So glad you got to do it and you found some new trails. I hope to go back for the bridge walk as well!

[@steelpenguin7126]

I’ve done Bridge Walk a bunch of times and it’s soooo cool! I definitely recommend coming back to take the walk! Also, be sure to eat at Secret Sandwich Society, Pies and Pints, and Tudor’s Biscuit World! Adventures on the Gorge is another place to check out, they do all sorts of adventure activities like whitewater rafting and zip lining!

[@Nito-Almaguer]

Que gran Aventura! Me encanta tu entusiasmo a pesar de la cancelación del paseo del segundo día… Te seguimos desde México 🇲🇽 Saludos a tu familia y a Pops

[@XxNEWSOMExX]

I’m from Beckley…a few minutes down the road from the Chocolate Moose. You should definitely come back to visit in the Summer/Fall. White water rafting attracts many tourists on the New and Gauley Rivers. You can see them on the river from the Diamond Point lookout. There’s biplane tours. Bridge Day is in October and it attracts people from around the world to BASE jump off the bridge.

[@XxNEWSOMExX]

Also, there were confirmed touchdowns of tornados. That’s very rare for this area. That was the reason for all the storm damage.

[@jymnmeier3527]

This summer we are heading to The New River Gorge, and I was thrilled to see this "POP" up on my feed because every trip I have planned with tips from you and your great videos has led to perfection

[@ThroughMyLens]

So glad the videos have been so helpful! I hope you have a great time at the park! Oh wow, we didn't have hail, that would have been crazier for sure!

[@nida8744]

That storm was terrible. I was in Charleston when that happened and it was actually a tornado!

[@TCUsouthpaw]

I just left WV a couple of days ago and one thing I can say for certain is that if you’re going to visit the season matters. Going in the summer makes all the views lush green. My family is from Huntington and I visited from Texas last week. I recommend going in the summer and stopping to visit Cathedral Falls on the way to the gorge. Beautiful waterfalls with the side lined with wild raspberry’s. I will map out where we went on our route if anybody would like to know. Also Hawks Nest state park is a great spot to take pictures and see part of the bridge on the horizon!

[@Tailsnpaws]

Nice video but we miss Pops. He adds a lot to these vids that make us feel that we are there with both of you. Thank you for the scenic tour and all the info.

[@lisaboggess1558]

You need to stop at the Mystery Hole in Ansted. It’s close to Hawk’s Nest and is a quirky roadside attraction.

[@mixeddrinks8100]

very cool looking bridge, reminds me of the Cold Spring Canyon Arch Bridge near santa barbara. Bridges just look so grand from the bottom or side view.

[@VL-gs2wr]

Yes, storms like that pop up a lot.

[@barbaraarsenault1192]

Cool introduction video about this area.

[@andrewcotton4382]

Just missed you here too! Had a feeling this was next after Congaree. We had the same ideas on this trip. I went to the Smokys in the middle, and that massive storm knocked out the power for my hotel in Fayetteville. I almost skipped NRG all together but was so glad I didn't. Bridge walk was great but honestly I loved that mill the most. It was so picturesque!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Oh wow, I didn't go to the smokies but I went to Cuyahoga Valley, did you do that one too? I agree, the mill was so amazing!

[@andrewcotton4382]

I didn't on this trip but I did spend a day there on a Cleveland trip last year. Loved the Ledges Trail and Brandywine Falls. Took the train too and that was so-so imo. I look forward to seeing that video when it comes out! Not surprised you skipped the Smokies. I know you've been there since your video helped me plan that section, so thanks for that! And I'm glad you were safe in that storm. Falling trees are no joke. I saw a few fall at Congaree but none as close as the one near you.

[@KoreyNiese]

Great vid !

[@barbaramadson3538]

The New River actually ran along side my college campus in Virginia, We used to tube on the river. Do you think it's doable to do the highlights of the National Park in one day or do you really need 2?

[@elijahk357]

While that was a pretty bad storm, any Southerner or Easterner has been through tons of these, usually a couple times a year. In rural places like West Virginia, it's pretty common for an area to lose power for a while before things get cleaned up. I also noticed when I went to New River Gorge and the surrounding towns, they had definitely been building up the infrastructure to support all the tourists. Probably still getting used to weather stuff like this.

[@johnilles8980]

You forgot to address the most spectacular part of that area, in my opinion, and that is the whitewater rafting on the New river and the Gauly river. Most excellent!!!

[@chrismcelroy7915]

Southeast usually only has weather like that from early March til mid December.

[@DarkMatter727]

Going to these same spots next Tuesday, in what appears to be the same car lol. Looks like the inside of a honda civic sport, I am taking my sport hatchback on a nice long road trip from Florida to WV camping at babcock state park, and seneca rocks, for 4 days then heading off to Ky for 2 days and ending in Wisconsin to visit family for 2 weeks, then just driving home to Florida lol