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New River Gorge Campgrounds and Fall Camping Essentials

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

Fall in West Virginia is a great time to camp. The summer crowds have diminished, the temperatures are cooler and  the bugs have all but disappeared. There are many camping options in the New River Gorge area,  but camping in the fall can be a much different experience. Knowing what to expect and what you need to bring can help you stay comfortable and have a trip to remember.

Essentials for Comfortable Camping

What follows is a list of necessities for comfort while enjoying autumn camping in the Mountain State.

Make Camping Comfortable

  • Tarps – An essential item as the weather in WV changes about as often as the hour does. Normal fall showers can dampen even the most stoic camper’s spirits. Having good tarps above and below one’s tent and camping area can be the difference between camping or floating.
  • Temperature rated sleeping bags - Fall temperatures can dip into the mid to low 30′s at night. Make sure the sleeping bag you are using is designed to accommodate these temperatures for comfort while you sleep.
  • Propane or gas lantern- It gets dark pretty early here in the mountains, especially if you’re camping down low. This style of lantern provides quality, long-lasting light. Hang one or two in camp and you can cook, eat or just relax and talk for hours.
  • Headlamp or small flashlight - Whether you are camping in a campground or a more a remote area, when nature calls in the middle of the night you are going to have a hard time finding your way around without light.  Everybody should really have their own flashlight of some sort.
  • Comfortable slip-on shoes - An essential piece of camping gear if you are tent camping. They save the tent floor from grime or wear and tear.  Added bonus: slip-on shoes save you from tying sneakers every time you go in or out of your temporary home.

These are just a few of the essentials you should consider when packing for a camping outing.

Camping Opportunities

Curious about where to camp in the New River Gorge?  Here are some options:

These are just some of our area campgrounds.  The New River Gorge also has plenty of remote camping spots. No matter what type of camping experience you’re looking for, rest assured: you’ll find it around the Gorge.

Do you have any other suggested camping essentials?

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The Historic Thurmond Depot

Monday, September 12th, 2011

No form of transportation has meant more to the New River Gorge over the years than trains. From 1895 until the mid 1950′s, Thurmond was the hub of Gorge rail activity.  At one time, the Thurmond yard had more freight and passengers moving through than the much larger yards of Cincinnati and Richmond.  It is reported that in one year the Thurmond Depot welcomed over 75,000 travelers.

The Restored Thurmond Depot

The Thurmond Depot was a pivotal player in this busy coal town. The original depot was built in 1899, and like many great buildings of the era, it was destroyed by fire. The depot was rebuilt in 1904; that’s the same building that stands in Thurmond today.

Built for Function

The two-story wooden structure functioned not only as the passenger depot, but also as C&O offices for the area. There were several other offices in the depot building, including:

  • Ticket Master’s Office
  • Yardmaster’s Office
  • Trainmaster’s Office
  • Car Dispatcher’s Office
  • Conductor’s Room
  • Supervisor’s Office
  • McKell Coal & Coke Company Office

New Lease on Life

In 1995, with some historical restoration money in hand, the National Park Service gave the depot a makeover. This included turning some of it into a NPS visitor center and Thurmond museum.

The station still functions as a working stop on Amtrak’s Cardinal Line. This route runs from Chicago to New York, right through the heart of the New River Gorge. It takes a reservation to get the train to stop in Thurmond; otherwise it rolls on some 13 miles upstream to the station at Prince, WV.

Back to the Future

The Thurmond Depot is a wonderful interpretive stop in the National Park Service’s bevy of New River offerings. It functions as a visitor center down in the historic old town of Thurmond, not far from the park’s headquarter’s in Glen Jean.

Have you toured the Thurmond depot?  Did you visit Thurmond in its prime?

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Southern West Virginia Rivers

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011

Southern WV Rivers

When you think of rivers in southern West Virginia, the New and Gauley probably come to mind.  These rivers have been favorite vacation destinations for the past 25 years. Every year over 100,000 people visit the Gorge area and raft the New and the Gauley, and because of this, many other tourism activities have become part of our landscape.

But although the New and the Gauley get much of the attention, many other rivers here offer recreation opportunities. From hiking and biking trails to scenic floats and fishing, don’t miss these other West Virginia rivers.

The Greenbrier River

Don’t Miss These Rivers

The Greenbrier and Bluestone Rivers are both tributaries of the New River and offer many similar activities as the New. The Greenbrier is probably best known for the 78 mile rail trail that follows it from Caldwell to Cass.

The Bluestone River dumps into Bluestone Lake above the Bluestone Dam in Hinton. Both rivers have great fishing, camping and hunting, as well as other recreational activities.

The Meadow, Cherry, Cranberry and Williams rivers are all tributaries of the Gauley. The last three have some of the best trout fishing in the state and are all in the Monongahela National Forest.  That means that there is plenty of camping and hiking available.

The Meadow is the only one of this bunch that flows into the Gauley below Summersville Dam. It has arguably the most difficult whitewater in the state over its last five miles before joining the Gauley.

The Birch River is a tributary of the Elk, which is a tributary of the Kanawha. Both the Birch and Elk can be floated in various types of watercraft and offer exceptional fishing.

The Kanawha is the river that is formed when the New and Gauley Rivers come together. Within its first mile, the Kanawha has a magnificent set of falls and then is flat for the rest of its journey to the Ohio. It’s a great choice for boating and fishing.

The Coal River is also a tributary of the Kanawha River and offers scenic paddling opportunities for beginners.

The Tug, Guyandotte and Mud Rivers all flow into the Ohio River. Although they are rivers that empty mostly on the western side of WV, they all have headwaters in the very southern part of the state. These rivers flow through some of West Virginia’s steepest and roughest country. The Mud River is known to be one of the best waters for muskellunge in the state.

So don’t think that the New and the Gauley Rivers are the only rivers to visit in Southern WV. Hey, if you do decide to visit these other streams, you may find you have them pretty much all to yourself.

Have you been on or around any of Southern WV’s other rivers?

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Celebrate With Friends and Family at the Oak Leaf Festival

Friday, August 26th, 2011

You’ve already felt that autumn nip in the air.  Football is back, and leaves are starting to turn.  There’s no better way to mark the season change in the New River Gorge than by attending Oak Hill’s Oak Leaf Festival, taking place through September 4.

This year the festival has a jam-packed schedule of events.  Here are a few highlights:

Tuesday, August 30

Taste of Oak Hill - Local culinary stars will compete to win the hearts (and stomachs) of tasters in the categories of Dessert, Appetizers, and Bread.  Anyone is welcome to attend and vote on which delicious treats deserve best in show.  Quilts will be on display throughout the venue as well, which is the Lewis Community Center in Oak Hill.  The event begins at 6:00 PM.

Oak Leaf Festival Queens 2010

Thursday, September 1

Oak Hill’s Touch of Talent - Oak Hill’s new amphitheater hosts it’s inaugural event with this community talent show.  There are divisions for children and adults, so you’ll have a chance to see a wide variety of talent.  Be sure to bring your own lawn chair.  This event begins at 7:00 PM.

Saturday, September 3

Oak Leaf Festival Parade – Who doesn’t love a parade?  This float-filled line-up goes right down Main Street, so there are plenty of great spots to stop and watch.  And don’t forget that the kids will probably catch lots of candy, so bring along a bag.  The parade starts at 11:00 AM on East Main Street, leaving from the former Wal-Mart location.

Sunday, September 4

Oak Leaf Harvest and Fireworks Display – The festival culminates in another full day of events and a pretty awesome fireworks show on Sunday.  Food, crafts, and a car show are all part of the Oak Leaf Harvest, which take place at Oak Hill High School beginning at 1:00 PM.  Later that evening, be sure to look to the skies over OHHS at 8:30 PM for the fireworks.

So get out an enjoy this fun community event.  See you there!

Here’s the full schedule of events:

Saturday, August 27

9 a.m. — 6 p.m. Oak Leaf Depot Days

9 a.m. Oak Leaf Charity Golf Tournament

noon — 6 p.m. Summertime Appalachian Tea Festival

4 p.m. Miss Oak Leaf/Miss Teen Pageant

Sunday, August 28

noon — 5 p.m. Oak Leaf Depot Days

noon — 6 p.m. Summertime Appalachian Tea Festival

2 p.m. Kids Pageant

Monday, August 29

6 p.m. — 8 p.m. Kids Media/Fun Night

Tuesday, August 30

6 p.m. — 9 p.m. Taste of Oak Hill & Quilt Show

Wednesday, August 31

7 p.m. — 8:30 p.m. Gospel Sing

Thursday, September 1

7 p.m. — 9:30 p.m. Oak Hill’s Touch of Talent

Friday, September 2

6 p.m. — 10 p.m. Fun Factory Inflatables & More

7 p.m. — 10 p.m. Oak Hill’s Rockin’ with Everett LIlly Band

Saturday, September 3

7 a.m. — 4 p.m. Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

10 a.m. Raising of the Flag and National Anthem

10 a.m. — 4 p.m. Craft and food vendors in downtown Oak Hill

11 a.m. Oak Leaf Parade

noon — 2 p.m. Plateau Medical Center Health Fair

noon — 4 p.m. West Virginia Firefighter’s Weekend

6 p.m. — 10 p.m. Cruise-In & Street Dance with Taylor Made

Sunday, September 4

1 p.m. — 4 p.m. Music by Time Peace

1 p.m. — 5 p.m. Car and Bike Show

1 p.m. — 5 p.m. Oak Leaf Harvest

5:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m. Chili Cook Off

8:30 p.m. Fireworks display

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Fireworks, Festivals, and Fun – A New River Gorge Fourth of July

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

There’s always something to celebrate in the New River Gorge.

And this weekend is the Grandaddy of them all as we observe Independence Day.  Nothing says summer quite like the Fourth of July!

Fireworks. Watermelon. Picnics. Wiener dog races. Yup, wiener dog races! C’mon down and have some fun.

Fireworks

See Fireworks in the Gorge

This coming weekend you can get your fill of fun and fireworks in the New River Gorge. Here is the scoop on a great event and fireworks start times.

New River Gorge Heritage Festival

This is a three day celebration in one of America’s coolest small towns. Beginning on Friday and running through Monday evening’s fireworks in Fayetteville, this festival is what small town family fun is all about.

Some of the festival highlights:

  • Inflatables for the kids
  • Parade
  • Live music
  • Food and craft vendors
  • Carnival rides
  • Did we mention wiener dog races?!
  • Picnic on the Court House lawn
  • Skateboard clinic and rock climbing wall

Want to know more?  Find complete details and event times for the New River Gorge Heritage Festival or learn more about events in the New River Gorge and make plans to join us for some fun.

Fireworks

You can enjoy not one, but two nights of Fireworks in the New River Gorge.

Will we see you there?

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10 Reasons to Visit the New River Gorge

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

Do you really need a reason? Just in case you do we’ve created a list of reasons, in no particular order of course.

New River Gorge in West Virginia

1. Handmade Gifts

People around here are creative and crafty. You can find one of a kind hand-made gifts: folk art or crafts, pottery, paintings and much more. All made right here.

2. Biplanes, Helicopters and Parachutes

Have you ever wanted to fly? So have others around here. So, take your pick between flying in an authentic open-cockpit biplane, a helicopter, or for the truly brave, jump out of a perfectly good plane on a tandem skydive. Oh, and did we mention Bridge Day?

3. Bridge Walk

The Bridge is an icon of the state of West Virginia and our area. We celebrate it one time a year on Bridge Day. Now, you can experience the New River Gorge Bridge in a whole new way. By walking under it.

4. Canopy Tours/Ziplines

The New River Gorge is quickly becoming the canopy tour/zipline capitol of the East. Zip from tree to tree amongst the birds on a canopy tour or strap-in and enjoy the adrenaline rush of a high-speed zipline ride.

5. Civil War Trail

Here, the history runs deep. From Native Americans to Civil War and coal, the history buff will have plenty of opportunity to learn something. Several area locations have been added to the Civil War Trail.

6. Fishing

Our rivers and mountainous terrain make this an ideal fishing location. Spend time on the river fishing for warm water species like the hard-fighting smallmouth bass, or explore the many mountain streams in the area that hold different types of trout.

7. Hiking & Biking Trails

There is no better way to enjoy the New River Gorge than to get out there and explore. By foot, or by bike, there are many trails in the New River Gorge (and more to come) of varying degree of difficulty that will allow you to find some breath taking views you won’t soon forget.

8. Mountain Cabins

Mountains and cabin rentals. They just go together. You can find cabins in the New River Gorge perfect for weekend escapes or large family reunions. Comfortable beds, relaxing hot tubs and you. Does it get any better?

9. River Trips

Take a rafting trip down one of the oldest rivers in the world and enjoy the New River Gorge from the water. Trips are available for all different types of groups ranging from mild to wild, there is a section of the New River waiting for you.

10. Tram & Jetboat Ride

Ride a tram down the mountain and a jet-powered boat upstream and what do you get? An amazing view of the New River Gorge Bridge. Safe, exciting, fun and perfect for kids and those on a tight schedule.

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Five Essentials For a Successful Day Hike in the New River Gorge

Friday, May 27th, 2011

The New River Gorge is a day-hiker’s paradise. And having lived here for the last twelve years, I’ve been able to see many special places within the crevices of these mountains, and best of all, they’re pretty easy to access.

Having several miles under my belt, I’ve learned what is most important to bring on a day hike. I know, I know, it’s just a day hike. Granted, the likelihood of an incident is slim, but things can happen – weather changes – curious bugs – pesky stumps – there’s no telling.

Before you head out on your hike, heed these tips...

With that said, here are a few key items I’ve learned – the hard way – to always bring with me.

The Right Shoes

This is a hike, after all, and the right footwear is a critical component. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen day hikers ill-prepared wearing flip flops and even heels… yes, heels.

Trails, in any woods, are inherently uneven and are riddled with roots and rocks. Find a shoe with a meaty tread and proper toe coverage and ankle protection.

Food and Water

My own day hiking experiences have proven that things don’t always go as planned – the hike takes a little longer than expected, my map reading skills aren’t quite what I had thought and so on.

No matter how short the trip, I always take a fanny pack-style container full of water and an energy bar. It has truly made many-a-hike much more pleasant.

First Aid Kit

Now, I know what you’re thinking – it’s just a few hours. Well, anything can happen, and it can happen in the blink of an eye. I’m not suggesting carrying your entire medicine cabinet, but a few essentials are the sign of a well-prepared hiker.

I take a pocket knife, medical tape, a few band-aids, a little packet of antibiotic ointment and some type of pain reliever. It’s not much, but it’s enough to get you back to the car.

Jacket

In the heat of summer, this may not be necessary. But I will tell you, the weather has changed for the worse on me – even in the summer. You’ve seen it. The clouds start to roll in, the wind begins to blow and then, the first sign – that one drop of rain hits you square on the head. All I’m recommending is a super light jacket, one you can ball up in a pocket and tuck away for that afternoon thunderstorm.

Bug Repellent

This little item isn’t just for mosquitoes. In these parts, I’ve found that gnats are far more pesky on the trail. They buzz around your head, you swat and you swat – inevitably one makes a b-line right into your eye. And it’s stuck there for the duration of your hike. This is exactly why I recommend bug repellent. And that’s all I have to say about that.

Now, these are my suggestions for a successful hike. If you have an item that your can’t live without or has proven it’s weight in gold on one of your hiking adventures, please share.

Beth Gill

ACE Adventure Resort

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Tips For Spring Fishing in the New River Gorge

Thursday, May 12th, 2011

Spring fishing season in the New River Gorge and Southern West Virginia is well underway. With warmer weather comes the desire to take advantage of the many fishing opportunities that abound in our region. Trout streams are being stocked, lakes are recovering from the winter draw down, and water temperatures are rising.

Area streams such as Laurel Creek, Dunloup Creek and Mill Creek offer great opportunities for trout fishing. Boley Lake at Babcock State Park is another favorite; it’s also very scenic.  I’m not a big trout fisherman but generally try to go a few times in the spring to get outside with my sons and explore the mountainsides.

There's good fishing here

One of my favorite spring trips is fishing at Fayette Station. I like to fish below the rapids for smallmouth bass.  Normally I can hook into a few 2-4 lb. class smallmouth at this time of year. Using crankbaits and small weighted jigs, I fish the eddies from the bank during the afternoon hours.  Usually a few fish have moved up from deeper water to soak up the warmth of the sun.

The absolute coolest way to fish the New River is by raft on a float trip. Not only do you catch a ton of fish, but the scenery is awesome. I try to go each year in May with one of the local outfitters.

New River fishing will only get better as temperatures continue to rise. Bass fishing opportunities on the New River can be found along many of its public access points.  Also check out Plum Orchard Lake for largemouth bass and Summersville Lake for both smallmouth and largemouth bass.

Do you have any other spring fishing tips?

–
Richard Meadows
Quality Inn New River Gorge

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Make Like a Bird and Take Flight

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

No, I’m not talking about a bi-plane ride or even a helicopter tour over the New River Gorge. I’m talking about an amazing ‘self-propelled’ flight that finds you racing through the treetops with the birds.

Zip Line at Burning Rock

It’s called many names: zip lining, zipping, canopy tour or (some might say) crazy.

Jokes aside, it’s quickly becoming the hottest new outdoor adventure activity in the New River Gorge region. It’s unique, family-friendly, educational and almost anyone age 10 & older can do it.

New River Gorge Zipline and Canopy Tours

Our area has quickly become a zipline and canopy tour hotbed. There is no shortage of ziplines to try. Here are some of the New River Gorge area offerings.

One Example

An example of one of the area tours can be found at TreeTops Canopy Tour , located at Adventures on the Gorge.

As with every tour in the area guides fit everyone up in a harness, helmet and gloves and provide instructions. At TreeTops, once you have geared-up it’s off to school… ground school that is. On a lower cable (about 5 feet off the ground) guests learn the basics of proper zipline techniques and get a safety overview.

Once everyone ‘passes’ school, it’s off to the trees!

What’s It Like?

At TreeTops, like any other canopy tour, the first two zips are fairly short, allowing everyone to feel more comfortable and build confidence.

Being nervous at first is normal – its part of the fun!

By the time most people get to the third zipline they are relaxed and taking in the scenic views of spectacular Mill Creek canyon below.

Guides share stories about the local history of the area and point out interesting plants and wildlife. Everyone learns about the invasive Hemlock Woolley Adelgid, a pest that is destroying our nation’s Eastern Hemlock trees. At TreeTops, one dollar from each person’s fee for the tour is matched and goes towards conservation / treatment efforts to help save these ‘redwoods of the east’. Guests also walk across 5 sky-bridges, take 3 short hikes to gain elevation and end with a gentle rappel down from the final platform.

It never gets boring and I learn something new every time. But best of all, truth be told… I get to fly!

New River Gorge Blog Post By:

Lisa Gale — Marketing Manager for Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park – ATV Riding and Zip Lines

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WANTED: Bird Nerds, Botanists & Nature Lovers

Monday, April 11th, 2011

Applicants will share their day(s) with some of the greatest experts in the birding and nature world, taking in the flora, fauna and scenery so unique to the New River Gorge in West Virginia.

Get geeked over great looks at great birds, plants with weird names and perhaps even discussions about salamander scat. Yes, scat.

New River Gorge Birding Festival

New River Gorge Birding Festival

If you can find it here, you can count on the fact that field leaders will leave no stone (or bush) unturned in the quest to find what you are looking for – all within reason of course.

The Start of a Festival
Nine years ago, I was pushing for the development of a birding and nature festival for New River Gorge. It made perfect sense.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology had designated southern West Virginia as a critical area for neo-tropical migrants. Spectacular species such as golden-winged warblers, cerulean warblers, scarlet tanager and Swainson’s warbler (well, this one is hard to find, but not really spectacular looking) reside here in abundance. None other than the famous botanist, Thomas Nuttall, spent years here identifying new species of plants.

Seven years ago, we pulled it off and now the New River Birding and Nature Festival is recognized as one of the “Top Ten Fun Birding Events in North America” by Bird Watcher’s Digest.

Bird By Butt
How much more fun can a Bird Nerd have than “Birding by Butt”? You literally can spend hours in an easy chair sipping hot coffee, having hot food brought to you, and having bird experts call birds in with their Bird Pods and iPhones until they are nearly perched on your lap?

And if you really do want them perched on your lap (well actually in your hand) expert banders do that for you, sometimes even letting you release a just-banded ruby-throated hummingbird.

The Nerdiest of Bird Nerds Are Here
The Festival brings in the best of the best.

And lest you think it is a snooty gathering, take in the final night when the Swingin’ Orangutans rock the joint with a mixture of nature songs and plain old hard rock. Be forewarned though that the Jeff Gordon who accompanies them is certainly not THAT Jeff Gordon, but in the nature world is THE Jeff Gordon.

So, if your party is coming to the New River Gorge region May 2 – 7 2011, join us in getting your bird nerd on. For more information simply call the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce or check us out directly at www.birding-wv.com.

We can even try to set you up with a “Genuine Bird Nerd” bumper sticker once you get here.

New River Gorge Blog Post By:

Dave Pollard — New River Birding and Nature Festival Chairman

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