Nestled into the new COVID-19 relief bill, passed on December 27, between extended unemployment benefits and stimulus checks for millions of Americans, was an unexpected bright spot—a new national park. Located in the southeastern part of West Virginia, New River Gorge has been managed by the National Park Service as a national river since 1978, but the state is hopeful that this new status will elevate it to a road trip-worthy locale for out-of-towners, and boost revenue for local businesses.
“Redesignation of the National River to a National Park and Preserve will shine a brighter light on West Virginia and all that it has to offer, and provide another catalyst for our tourism industry and local businesses,” said U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito in a statement. Capito originally proposed the bill in 2019 along with her colleague, Senator Joe Manchin, who added that, “this designation will increase the international recognition by highlighting West Virginia’s world-class beauty and resources."
Both Capito and Manchin met with dozens of business owners, local leaders, and outdoorsmen in the area to ensure that the new legislation was met with fervent support from the community. As a result, the New River Gorge National Park is also designated as a National Preserve, with 7,021 acres of scenic riverfront have been pinned for ultra-protected national park status and the remaining 65,165 acres carrying over current hunting and fishing access as a national preserve. Its dual-status makes it the first of its kind outside of Alaska.“This was truly a collaborative effort and one that we are proud of,” said the senators in a recent op-ed in The Register Herald, the local newspaper in Beckley, West Virginia, adjacent to the new park.
“The New,” as New River Gorge is called by frequent visitors, has long been a haven for outdoor recreationists from across the country. In the 1990s, rafting boomed in popularity, with as many as thirty companies guiding tours along the park’s 53 miles of free-flowing whitewater. One of the most popular stretches is the “Lower New,” a 13-mile gauntlet of Class IV to V rapids. Seasoned companies like Adventures on the Gorge run a number of more relaxed, family-friendly outings as well.
It’s not all about the water at the gorge, though. Rock climbers flock to the area, particularly in the spring and fall, to take on the park’s over 1,400 established routes on hard sandstone cliffs, ranging from 30 to 120 feet high. New River Climbing School hosts daily climbing and rappelling courses for the rock curious looking to try their hand at sending the gnar. Plus, The New’s Arrowhead section boasts 12.8 miles of Boy Scout–built mountain biking trails perfect for beginner to intermediate riders. Bike rentals (and local craft brews) are available at Arrowhead Bike Farm.
This new designation is also a signal that West Virginia is moving away from its prominence as a coal mining state and towards one of increasing conservation and recreation. From the tantalizing glow of evening fireflies to the famous steel arc of the New River Bridge and the exhilarating splash of chilly river water below, there are a thousand reasons to smile about our newest national park.
