New River Gorge National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

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New River Gorge National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

By Shaka Guide Apps

Free cancellation available

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Features

Free cancellation available
9h
Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation

Overview

Welcome to the adventure playground that is New River Gorge National Park! I'm your audio guide, ready to lead you through nature's rollercoaster ride.

Marvel at the jaw-dropping canyon views, carved by the legendary New River – it's like nature showing off its sculpting skills. Get your heart pumping with thrilling whitewater rafting and rock climbing – we're all about turning adrenaline into memories here.

And hey, keep your eyes peeled for our forest friends – they're the real VIPs of this wilderness party. So buckle up, folks! It's time for an adventure like no other at New River Gorge National Park!

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Activity location

Thurmond
- Thurmond, West Virginia, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

Sam Black Church
- 24977, Sam Black Church, West Virginia, United States

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability

New River Gorge National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour in English

9h
Opening hours: Sat 12:00 am-11:30 pm
English

Travellers

Language options: English

Price details

AU$22.69 x 1 TravellerAU$22.69

Total

What's included, what's not

Tours NEVER expire
Offline Audio Guided Tour: Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
Take the tour when you want - download the tour and choose the day that works best for you
Tour Start is Customisable
Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
Freedom to explore at your own pace - pick the stops you want, skip the ones you don’t
Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive
Private transport
Meals and refreshment

Know before you book

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Travellers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
Travellers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
Tour takes ~5 hours with some stops — plan more time if hiking; available clockwise and anti-clockwise
Park open 24/7 — attraction hours vary

Activity itinerary

Thurmond

Once a thriving hub of coal mining and transport, Thurmond now stands as a preserved time capsule. It offers visitors a glimpse into the region's rich industrial past. The ghost town is famous for its well-preserved train depot, which serves as a museum. It shows exhibits and artefacts that detail the area's coal mining heritage. With its beautiful location along the New River, Thurmond invites exploration. It serves as a reminder of the resilience and significance of the coal industry and railway, shaping the local community and the surrounding natural landscape.

Long Point Trail

1h 30m

A hiking trail that offers an unforgettable adventure and stunning vistas. This moderate 3.2-mile out-and-back trail winds through a forest, leading hikers to the breathtaking Long Point Overlook. Once you reach the overlook, prepare to be amazed by the panoramic views of the New River Gorge Bridge. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in West Virginia.

Kaymoor Miners Trail

1h 30m

This difficult 1-mile trail takes hikers on a captivating exploration through the remains of the Kaymoor coal mine, once a busy industrial complex. As you trek along the trail, you'll encounter the remains of coal processing structures, mine entrances, and more. However, the trail isn’t for the faint of heart, as much of the trail heads downhill going in. Then uphill all the way back up, with hundreds of steps.

Canyon Rim Visitor Center

The Canyon Rim Visitor Centre serves as the gateway to the awe-inspiring wonders of New River Gorge. Located on the edge of the majestic gorge, this visitor centre offers a wealth of information and resources for visitors. It improves their exploration of the park. Inside, you'll find informative displays on the area's geology, ecology, and cultural history. Step outside onto the observation decks, and you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the New River Gorge Bridge. The sprawling canyon below adds to the awe-inspiring scenery.

Fayette Station Road

Whether you're admiring the vibrant fall foliage or capturing stunning photographs, the Fayette Station Road scenic drive offers a calm experience. It allows you to immerse yourself in the old way of crossing the New River Gorge, down and up a winding road. On the first stop of the scenic drive, we’ll visit overlooks directly underneath the New River Gorge Bridge. This will allow you to appreciate the engineering marvel from a new angle.

Tunney Hunsaker Bridge

We’ll park by the river and walk to the Tunney Hunsaker Bridge, or the ‘little bridge’ as some call it. This was the only way to cross the New River Gorge for a long time. Today, it’s the midpoint of the Fayette Station Road scenic drive. A walking path on the side provides excellent views of the New River, and the big bridge above.

Kaymoor Trail

Just a few dozen steps from this trailhead are two waterfalls, both easily visible from the trail. If you were to continue on the trail for two miles, the hike leads to the Kaymoor Mine and intersects with the Kaymoor Miners Trail.

Endless Wall Trail

A captivating, moderately difficult hiking trail that winds along the rim of the gorge for 2.4 miles. It showcases the raw beauty of the rugged canyon as it winds through forests and along towering cliffs. Along the way, hikers are treated to breathtaking vistas of the New River winding through the gorge. Stunning rock formations that attract climbers from around the world can also be observed. The trail is a loop, with two car parks to choose from. Our recommendation is to hike as far as Diamond Point from either of the lots. Then, turn around and return to the car.

Babcock State Park

30m
Admission ticket not included

The main attraction at Babcock State Park is a beautiful and iconic landmark. It's a fully working replica of a historic water-powered mill. Surrounded by lush greenery and set against the backdrop of babbling Glade Creek, the mill's rustic wooden structure, complete with a working water wheel, exudes charm and memories. It’s a popular photography spot! The state park also has its own hiking trails and a gift shop in the visitor centre.

Sandstone Visitor Center

This visitor centre has exhibits on the area’s ecosystems and human history. It’s also a handy stop to get information about Sandstone Falls. This is before starting on an optional, but very scenic drive towards the waterfall.

Sandstone Falls

If you're on the fence about driving all the way to Sandstone Falls, you can get a small peek at this overlook. The view isn’t fantastic, but it’s useful as a turnaround point. It can be used if you decide to prioritise other parts of the park.

Brooks Overlook

This overlook offers a nice view of the New River Gorge from a few hundred feet up. The road descends closer to the river level as it heads towards Hinton. The overlook is just a small pull-off, but the view is better than the one at Sandstone Falls Overlook.

Brooks Falls Roadside Park

Enjoy some quality time next to the New River at this small riverside park. Picnic benches sit just feet from the river, and the rippling Brooks Falls.

Sandstone Falls

One of the highlights of the park is Sandstone Falls, which spreads 1500 feet across the entire New River. It descends into crumbling rock formations, adding to the scenic beauty of the area. A series of boardwalks take you through a wooded island in the middle of the river, and to different views of the falls. For a more secluded experience, try the Island Loop Trail, which is an easy, half-mile trail through the woods of the island.

Grandview

One of the ‘grandest’ views of the park, the Grandview area has something for everyone. The main overlook sits near the highest point in the park, overlooking a spectacular curve in the gorge. A handful of trails leave from near the overlook. They take hikers along the cliff walls and to additional scenic overlooks of the river. Grandview also sports a seasonal visitor centre, informational wayside stations, and a playground.

Location

Activity location

Thurmond
- Thurmond, West Virginia, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

Sam Black Church
- 24977, Sam Black Church, West Virginia, United States
311 Ritter Dr
- 311 Ritter Drive
- 25813, Glen Morgan, West Virginia, United States
Summersville Lake
- Nicholas County, West Virginia, United States
Beckley
- 25801, Beckley, West Virginia, United States
Fayetteville
- Fayetteville, West Virginia, United States

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