3 Days in New River Gorge with Kids: The Perfect Family Itinerary
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The New river is the second oldest river in the world
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If you’re looking for the perfect 3-day New River Gorge itinerary with kids, you’re in the right place. I’ve put together three full days of activities that will help your family experience the best of New River Gorge National Park, from incredible hikes and scenic overlooks to the iconic Bridge Walk and outdoor adventures. If you’re wondering how many days in New River Gorge is enough, I recommend spending 3 to 4 days to explore the park and surrounding area at a comfortable pace. That said, you can absolutely experience many of the best things to do in New River Gorge with kids in just three days.
Be prepared for non-stop adventure in new river gorge national park
I’ve also included ideas to turn this into a 4-day New River Gorge itinerary if you have extra time. And if you’re only visiting New River Gorge for one day, each day in this guide works as a stand-alone plan, so you can choose the one that best fits your family. The planning is done for you.
So, let’s get into your family-friendly 3-day New River Gorge itinerary!
Table of Contents
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Obligatory photo at the national park sign
Check Into Accommodations
Diamond Point Overlook
Morning Hike
OR Endless Wall Trail
New River Gorge Bridge Overlook
Evening Option:
OR Thurmond Historic District
Relax at Your Accommodations
Optional Day Four: More Things to Do Near New River Gorge
READ NEXT: What to Do in New River Gorge National Park with Kids
Map of New River Gorge Itinerary
Use this interactive map to see what you’ll be doing in New River Gorge each day. You can open the map and select (or deselect) each day to see exactly where your 3-day New River Gorge itinerary will take you!
ace adventure resort is a great option for families wanting to be at the cusp of the action
Where to Stay
We have visited New River Gorge National Park twice and stayed in both a cabin at ACE Adventure Resort and an Airbnb in nearby Oak Hill. Both were great for completely different reasons.
We absolutely loved staying at ACE Adventure Resort. If your family wants to pack as much adventure as possible into your New River Gorge trip, this is where I would stay. The 1,500-acre resort has cabins ranging from rustic to more comfortable options, plus camping and RV sites. There are also tons of activities right on the property, including whitewater rafting, a massive waterpark, an aerial adventure course, playground, kayaking, paddleboarding, mountain biking, and more. We loved being able to spend our days adventuring and then come back to our cabin, make s’mores, and relax in the hot tub at night.
On our most recent trip, we stayed at an incredibly unique 1980s and early 1990s-themed Airbnb in Oak Hill. The entire house felt like stepping back into our childhood, complete with VHS tapes, Nintendo, vintage toys, a Blockbuster, and even an escape room built into the house. My kids were completely obsessed. Oak Hill was also a convenient home base for exploring New River Gorge National Park.
If you would rather camp inside New River Gorge National Park, there are nine primitive campgrounds scattered throughout the park. Camping is free and sites are first-come, first-served. These are primitive campgrounds, so expect limited facilities and no drinking water or hookups at most locations. If your family wants more amenities while still camping, ACE Adventure Resort also offers tent and RV camping.
For this 3-day New River Gorge itinerary, I recommend choosing accommodations near Fayetteville or Oak Hill so you can easily reach the park, Bridge Walk, hiking trails, and the other family adventures included in this itinerary.
Day 1: What to do in New River Gorge National Park
Sandstone Visitor Center
sandstone visitor center
Start your New River Gorge itinerary at the Sandstone Visitor Center, a great introduction to the southern end of the park. Inside, you’ll find hands-on exhibits that help kids learn about the New River, the surrounding Appalachian landscape, and the plants and animals that call the area home. My kids especially enjoyed the interactive displays, making this an easy and educational first stop before heading to Sandstone Falls.
CHECK OUT MY GUIDE FOR: The Best Hiking Gear for Kids
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Sandstone visitor center
sandstone visitor center
Explore Sandstone Falls
sandstone falls, new river gorge national park
From the Sandstone Visitor Center, head to Sandstone Falls, one of the most fairytale stops in New River Gorge National Park with kids. The Sandstone Falls Boardwalk is an easy, short walk of about ¼ mile that takes you through the riverside landscape to several views of the falls.
The boardwalk makes this a great stop for families with younger kids, and there are places where you can get off the boardwalk and explore the flat rocks along the river. My kids loved getting down near the water, so I definitely recommend bringing water shoes if your kids want to explore.
CHECK OUT MY GUIDE FOR: The Best Hiking Gear for Kids
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playing at sandstone falls
boardwalk at sandstone falls
Grandview
grandview has a small visitor center
After visiting Sandstone Falls, head north to the Grandview area of New River Gorge National Park. Grandview sits high above the New River and has some of the best views in the park. This is also where you’ll find several hiking trails, picnic areas, and the Grandview Main Overlook. For this itinerary, I recommend hiking the short Tunnel Trail and then stopping at the main overlook before continuing on.
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Tunnel Trail
Tunnel Trail is one of my favorite easy hikes in New River Gorge with kids. The trail is only about 0.6 miles and has some really fun features along the way, including tunnels through the rocks and huge rock overhangs. My kids loved exploring this trail, and because it’s short, it works really well on a day when you’ve already made several other stops around the park.
this is a very interesting geological hike!
Grandview Overlook
Incredible views of grandview at 1400 feet above the river!
Before leaving Grandview, walk out to the Grandview Main Overlook for one of the most iconic views over the New River Gorge. The overlook is only about 0.1 miles from the parking area and takes just a few minutes to reach, making it an easy stop to add to your New River Gorge itinerary. From the overlook, you’ll get a dramatic panoramic view of a massive horseshoe bend in the New River from 1,400 feet above the water.
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grandview offers an Incredible panoramic view of a massive horseshoe bend in the New River from 1,400 feet above the water
Endless Wall Trail at Sunset
End your first day in New River Gorge National Park with a sunset hike on the Endless Wall Trail. The full trail is about 2.4 miles, and I found this trail easier than I expected. Much of the hike is through the forest before reaching the incredible overlooks along the edge of the gorge.
There are now three parking areas for the Endless Wall Trail, so pay attention to where you park before starting your hike. If you hike Endless Wall as a loop, you’ll finish at a different trailhead and need to walk about 0.5 miles along the main road to get back to your car. This is what we did, and it wasn’t terrible. Jimmy and the kids waited at the end of the trail while I walked along the road to get the car.
The other option is to hike Endless Wall as an out-and-back. You can hike from the Fern Creek Trailhead to Diamond Point and then return the same way, making the hike about 2 miles round trip. This eliminates the walk along the road and puts you right back at your car when you finish.
Diamond Point has an incredible view across New River Gorge and would be especially beautiful around sunset. When we hiked Endless Wall, a storm rolled in incredibly fast just as we reached the first overlook, so we didn’t make it to the second overlook. Even with our hike cut short, the views were incredible.
Parking can fill quickly, so give yourself plenty of time before sunset. If you plan to stay at the overlook for sunset, bring headlamps because you’ll be hiking back through the forest after the sun goes down.
Day 2 in New River Gorge National Park
Day two in New River Gorge National Park starts with a morning hike to Long Point for one of the best views of the New River Gorge Bridge. After your hike, head to Canyon Rim Visitor Center to explore the exhibits and see the bridge from the overlooks before experiencing it from an entirely different perspective on the New River Gorge Bridge Walk. Afterward, spend the evening playing at ACE Adventure Waterpark or head to Thurmond Historic District to explore one of the most fascinating historic areas in the park.
Morning Hike: Long Point Trail
Start Day 2 with a hike to Long Point, one of my favorite views of the New River Gorge Bridge. I’ve actually hiked this trail twice with kids. The first time, we had five kids with us, all ages 10 and under, so I can confidently say this is a very doable family hike.
The Long Point Trail is about 3 miles round trip and is relatively easy for most of the hike, with a few steeper and rockier sections as you get closer to the overlook. Both times we hiked it, the kids did great.
The payoff is one of the best views in New River Gorge National Park. Long Point gives you an incredible straight-on view of the New River Gorge Bridge with the gorge stretching out below. There’s plenty of room to stop, take photos, and hang out for a bit before heading back.
Just keep younger kids close once you reach Long Point. The overlook has exposed cliff edges and no railings.
Plan about 1.5 to 2 hours for the hike, depending on your kids and how much time you spend at the overlook. From here, you’ll head toward Canyon Rim Visitor Center and get an entirely different perspective of the bridge you just saw from Long Point.
If you didn’t hike the Endless Wall Trail yesterday, you could do that this morning instead.
the 5 of us at long point in new river gorge National Park
Canyon Rim Visitor Center
canyon rim visitor center
After your hike, head to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, which is the main visitor center for New River Gorge National Park and one of the best places to learn more about the park. Inside, you’ll find exhibits about the history, culture, and natural landscape of the New River Gorge, plus a park store where you can grab souvenirs and National Park Passport stamps.
the view from the lower overlook
Be sure to walk out to the overlook behind the visitor center. There is an upper overlook that is easy to access, but I definitely recommend taking the stairs down to the lower overlook if your family is able. You’ll get an incredible up-close view of the New River Gorge Bridge and a completely different perspective from the view you just saw at Long Point.
the view from the upper overlook
This is also a great time for kids to pick up or work on their Junior Ranger books and earn their New River Gorge National Park Junior Ranger badge.
CHECK OUT MY GUIDE FOR: The Best Hiking Gear for Kids
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new river gorge national park junior ranger badge
new river gorge national park junior ranger badge
Bridge Walk
onE of the most unique experiences we’ve done in a u.s. National Park
Now it’s time for one of the coolest experiences you can have at New River Gorge: walking underneath the New River Gorge Bridge! The Bridge Walk takes you along a 24-inch-wide catwalk underneath the bridge, 851 feet above the New River.
Before heading out, you’ll get geared up in a safety harness and attached to a continuous safety cable for the entire walk. The tour moves at a relaxed pace with plenty of stops along the way, so you have time to take in the views, learn about the bridge, and look down into the gorge below.
you can see the river on both sides. the catwalk is only 24 inches wide
We did the Bridge Walk as a family, and this was easily one of the most memorable things we did during our trip. The views are incredible, but being underneath the bridge really gives you a sense of just how massive it is.
We were lucky enough to see the resident falcon that nests on the bridge!
Kids must be at least 8 years old AND at least 48 inches tall to participate in the Bridge Walk. The entire experience takes a little over 2 hours and includes about 1¼ miles of walking, so plan the rest of your afternoon around your scheduled tour.
I definitely recommend reserving your Bridge Walk in advance, especially if you’re visiting during a busy weekend or peak fall season.
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the best part is when they let you sit down and you can really Look how far down the river is
ACE Adventure Waterpark
After a full day of hiking and walking underneath the New River Gorge Bridge, spend the rest of the afternoon cooling off at the ACE Adventure Waterpark. We’ve visited the waterpark with our kids, and it’s such a fun way to end an adventure-packed day without having to plan another hike or sightseeing stop.
The waterpark is built on a spring-fed lake and is filled with giant inflatable obstacles, slides, climbing structures, and things to jump off of and into the water. There are also areas where you can swim, paddle, or just hang out by the lake while the kids play. For younger kids there is a splashpad and a playground right next to the lake.
If you’re staying at ACE Adventure Resort, this is especially easy to work into your itinerary since you can head straight back to your cabin afterward. Even if you aren’t staying at ACE, you can purchase a waterpark pass and spend a few hours here before calling it a day.
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It’s so fun seeing the different places from twilight
Explore the Thurmond District
If the weather is too cool for the waterpark or you’d rather keep exploring, head to Thurmond Historic District, a former railroad boomtown that once served as an important stop along the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. Today, the tiny town is preserved as part of New River Gorge National Park, and walking through it feels a little like exploring an abandoned town.
Getting there is part of the adventure. The drive winds down into the gorge and eventually narrows to a single-lane road before you cross the bridge into Thurmond. Once there, you can walk past the historic buildings and along the railroad tracks while trains still pass right through town. The restored Thurmond Depot has a small visitor center with exhibits about the town and its railroad history, as well as restrooms.
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Day Three in New River Gorge National Park
Day 3 is all about experiencing one of the things New River Gorge is most famous for: whitewater rafting! You’ll spend the day rafting the New River, then keep the evening easy with time to relax after a full day on the water.
Go White Water Rafting
Whitewater Rafting
rafting the new river alllll they way back in 2010 with my rotc detachment!
The first time I ever went whitewater rafting on the New River was in college, and we did the real deal. Big raft, big rapids, water flying everywhere. It was CRAZY and so much fun.
Years later, I came back to New River Gorge with my kids and discovered that whitewater rafting here doesn’t have to mean throwing your 6-year-old into a giant raft headed toward Class IV rapids. ACE Adventure Resort offers several different rafting trips, including a fantastic family-friendly option on the Upper New River.
the lunch options have improved greatly since 2021!
In 2021, I took my then 6-year-old daughter on ACE’s Upper New River Full Day trip. We shared a two-person inflatable kayak, called a “ducky,” and it was an absolute blast. It gave her the excitement of paddling rapids while still being an experience I felt comfortable doing with a young kid.
We returned in 2026, and this time my husband did the same trip with our 9 and 11-year-olds. Our 11-year-old paddled her own inflatable kayak while my husband and 9-year-old shared a two-seater.
my daughter crushing it on her own!
The Upper New River is ACE’s family-friendly rafting option, with Class I–III rapids mixed with calmer sections of river. The minimum age is 6, and kids ages 10 and older can paddle their own inflatable kayak. The full-day trip covers roughly 8–13 miles and includes lunch, plus time for swimming and playing along the river.
the day on the river is more than just white water - there is rock jumping and fun!
If your kids are older and your family wants bigger rapids, look at the Lower New River instead. ACE’s Lower New trips include Class I–IV+ rapids and are generally for ages 12+, although kids ages 10–11 may be able to participate in an oar-controlled raft by special arrangement. There are both full-day and 3–4 hour half-day options.
another ancient photo from my 2010 rafting trip in college!
For families with younger kids, though, I absolutely recommend the Upper New River Full Day trip. Between my college rafting experience and our two family trips, I’ve gotten to experience very different sides of rafting the New River, and the Upper New is such a fun introduction to whitewater for kids.
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the kids did rock jumping and rafting!
Spend the Afternoon Relaxing
Ace Adventure has a great onsite restaurant called The Lost Paddle, and they have delish woodfire pizza from Woody's Woodfired Pizza
Relax at Your Accommodations
After a full day on the river, don’t plan anything too ambitious for tonight. Head back to your accommodations, shower, change into dry clothes, and relax for a while before heading out for dinner. Fayetteville has several fun local restaurants, including Pies & Pints - Fayetteville, WV, the original location of the popular pizza restaurant and an easy choice with kids. If you want something a little more unique, Handle Bar + Kitchen at Arrowhead Bike Farm has a casual outdoor-adventure atmosphere, or head into Oak Hill for a classic small-town dinner.
other options at ace if you need a quick pick me up after rafting
If your family still has some energy after dinner, check what’s happening locally. Pinheads - New River Gorge in Oak Hill has bowling and food and makes an easy family night out. Even better, during its operating season, Starlite Drive-In in Oak Hill offers old-fashioned movies under the stars, with gates opening at 6 PM and movies beginning at dusk. Because the drive-in is seasonal and local events change throughout the year, check the schedule before your trip. Otherwise, there is absolutely nothing wrong with calling it an early night after a full day of whitewater rafting.
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the water park at ace adventure resort
Optional Day 4 in New River Gorge National Park
If you have an extra day near New River Gorge, there is plenty more to explore! Use Day 4 to dive deeper into West Virginia’s history, visit one of the beautiful nearby state parks, or head back into New River Gorge National Park for another hike. This is also a great flex day to revisit somewhere you loved or fit in anything you didn’t have time for during the first three days.
Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
beckley exhibition coal mine was very very fun
I’ll admit that I expected the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine to be something my train-loving 3-year-old would enjoy more than I would, but I ended up LOVING this experience. It was way more interesting than I expected and easily one of my favorite surprises near New River Gorge.
our tour guide is a 40-year coal mining veteran!
The highlight is the underground mine tour. You’ll board a “man trip,” the type of vehicle used to transport miners, and ride underground into a historic coal mine. Our guide was a 40-year veteran of the coal mines, and he was an incredible wealth of information. Hearing about the equipment, mining techniques, working conditions, and daily life directly from someone who spent decades working in the mines made the experience so much more interesting.
inside the mine and inside the bachelor shanty
Give yourself time to explore above ground too. Admission includes the recreated early 20th-century coal camp, where you can see a coal company house, superintendent’s house, school, church, and miner’s shanty. There is also the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia and Mountain Homestead. The grounds are really cool to walk around, and we thought the museum was very well done.
admission includes entry into the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia — a fun and interactive children’s museum
The Exhibition Coal Mine is currently open daily from April 1 through November 1 from 10 AM–5 PM. Admission is $22 for adults ages 18–54, $14 for children ages 4–17, and $18 for seniors 55+ and only $16 for military. Kids under 4 are free. Plan about 2 to 2½ hours for your visit and bring a sweatshirt or light jacket because the mine stays around 58°F year-round.
from going into an actual mine to seeing how coal miners of west virginia lived - this place is a hidden gem for sure!
Before you leave, stop in the gift shop and buy the coal miner cookies. Trust me. They are SO good.
Beckley, WV is also home to one of the Almost Heaven swings. It’s located at the Tamarack Market, so we stopped there for a family photo and then grabbed coffee and lunch in the market after our coal mine tour. Between the mine, museum, swing, and lunch, you could easily make Beckley a half-day stop during your New River Gorge trip.
READ NEXT: What to do in New River Gorge National Park (West Virginia)
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tamarack market in beckley was having a fall market when we went, so we - obviously - got hot dogs and face paint
Babcock State Park
Enjoying the views of the olympic national park rainforests
We originally stopped at Babcock State Park because we wanted to find another one of West Virginia’s Almost Heaven swings, but we ended up staying for almost two hours.
The 4,127-acre state park is about 20 miles southeast of the New River Gorge Bridge and is home to Glade Creek Grist Mill, one of the most recognizable places in West Virginia. Although the mill looks historic, the current structure was completed in 1976 as a working replica of Cooper’s Mill, which once stood nearby. It incorporates parts from three historic West Virginia mills and still operates today.
Definitely take some time to walk around the mill and waterfall because this is a gorgeous place for family photos. But what kept us at Babcock much longer than planned was the water. My kids ended up swimming and playing while we relaxed, and what I thought would be a quick photo stop turned into almost two hours at the park.
If you have more time, Babcock has more than 20 miles of hiking trails, fishing, picnic areas, geocaching, and seasonal boating on Boley Lake. The one-mile Lake View Trail is an easy option if your family wants to add a short hike without committing to another big adventure.
There is no general admission fee to visit Babcock State Park, making this an easy addition to your New River Gorge itinerary. Some facilities and activities are seasonal, so check the current park information before visiting. Even if you only plan to stop for the Almost Heaven swing and Glade Creek Grist Mill, I’d leave some extra time here. We certainly ended up needing it.
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Take Another Hike in New River Gorge National Park
If your family would rather spend your extra day inside New River Gorge National Park, go hiking! The park has more than 40 trails ranging from short, easy walks to challenging full-day hikes, so there are plenty of options beyond the trails included in this three-day itinerary. You can choose a hike based on what your family wants to see, whether that’s another gorge overlook, waterfalls, historic coal-mining ruins or simply an easy walk through the forest.
Rather than listing every trail again here, check out my Things to Do in New River Gorge with Kids guide, where I break down my favorite family-friendly hikes and everything else you can do throughout the park. Pick one you haven’t already completed during this itinerary and make Day 4 as easy or adventurous as your family wants it to be.
This three-day New River Gorge itinerary will take you through some of the best experiences in and around New River Gorge National Park. From hiking to incredible overlooks and walking underneath the New River Gorge Bridge to whitewater rafting, exploring West Virginia’s coal mining history, and discovering historic towns, there is plenty here to keep the entire family busy. If you only have two days in New River Gorge, pick and choose the days that work best for your family and create your own adventure!
READ NEXT: What to Do in New River Gorge National Park with Kids for even more things to do, family-friendly hikes, where to stay, and tips for planning your visit.
What if You Only Have One Day in New River Gorge National Park?
If you only have one day in New River Gorge, you can still see a lot! Each day in this itinerary can stand on its own, so choose the one that best fits your family. If this is your first visit, I would focus on the Canyon Rim area, see the New River Gorge Bridge, and choose one of the park’s iconic hikes. If you have older kids, you could also add the Bridge Walk for a completely different way to experience the gorge.
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Plan the perfect 3-day New River Gorge itinerary with kids, including family-friendly hikes, scenic overlooks, the New River Gorge Bridge, whitewater rafting, historic sites, and nearby West Virginia attractions. This guide shares practical tips on what to do each day, where to stay, and how to make the most of three days in New River Gorge National Park with kids.