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

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Күн бұрын

New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia is one of the countries newest national parks and a great place to explore how the New River has shaped this impressive part of the country. Centered around the New River and the New River Gorge Bridge, this park has hundreds of miles of hiking trails leading to amazing views like the Endless Wall and is also home to wildlife, waterfalls and the famous bridge walk. Let us help you plan the perfect 24 hours here in this video and be sure to let us know what we left off in the comments.
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Пікірлер: 171

@lorisasser3219 26 күн бұрын

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

@velojayf 25 күн бұрын

And the Mid-west

@user-kv9jw3ph2s 4 күн бұрын

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.

@leeinehopkins1799 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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

@sagerosevideography 25 күн бұрын

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!

@chrisross3631 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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

@paulnelson5314 26 күн бұрын

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

@WV3 19 күн бұрын

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.

@swimlilfizhy 25 күн бұрын

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.

@timothyosborn1697 25 күн бұрын

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!

@rhondaz356 26 күн бұрын

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. 🏞🤠🌲👏🏻👏🏻

@LeaKraf 25 күн бұрын

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

@karenhaley2198 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

I will, thanks for the suggestion!

@kristynafish3782 26 күн бұрын

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.

@mindyourownbusiness579 26 күн бұрын

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

@beaubows239 25 күн бұрын

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

@marybethmccloy6447 25 күн бұрын

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.

@michellewitt9397 24 күн бұрын

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!

@SuParker 9 күн бұрын

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. ❤

@nikkik.8418 23 күн бұрын

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 19 күн бұрын

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

@nikkik.8418 19 күн бұрын

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

@rx7386 25 күн бұрын

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.

@stevepappas19 26 күн бұрын

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

@tg1600 26 күн бұрын

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

@nikkiemberson5064 25 күн бұрын

We went in March 2023, it was fantastic!!

@travelertrome8449 25 күн бұрын

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!

@Rab1dllama 22 күн бұрын

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.

@joshualanham9023 26 күн бұрын

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.

@JeffinBville 26 күн бұрын

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

@prowrestlingisart6742 26 күн бұрын

Thurmond is like the East Coast Bodie!

@TR6C 20 күн бұрын

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.

@alrichardson7027 26 күн бұрын

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

@ThroughMyLens 26 күн бұрын

It really is a beautiful park!

@JasonScottCarter 23 күн бұрын

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

@JamieMueller 26 күн бұрын

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

@ThroughMyLens 26 күн бұрын

So glad you could do it!

@noexcuses_beliefinmyself 24 күн бұрын

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 25 күн бұрын

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

@steelpenguin7126 25 күн бұрын

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!

@nickjacuby 24 күн бұрын

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.

@brendadirksen5988 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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

@cindywestlake6278 20 күн бұрын

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 19 күн бұрын

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

@cindywestlake6278 19 күн бұрын

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

@truthtalks-7317 25 күн бұрын

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.

@westzonal 26 күн бұрын

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

@allisonnorfolk5188 26 күн бұрын

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.

@nataliecruz1990 24 күн бұрын

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

@WestVirginiasBigred271 25 күн бұрын

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.

@hedycohen9804 26 күн бұрын

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

@VL-gs2wr 26 күн бұрын

Yes, storms like that pop up a lot.

@stephaniepalmer3302 18 күн бұрын

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

@BIODIVERSITYAndnature-Animals 19 күн бұрын

Very beautiful nature

@mixeddrinks8100 26 күн бұрын

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.

@violetbf3773 26 күн бұрын

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

@miriammitchell9677 26 күн бұрын

Appreciate all you do. Thank uuu!

@ThroughMyLens 26 күн бұрын

No problem!

@jimfunchess 26 күн бұрын

Great video!

@kathimeadows7869 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

That's awesome, I hope you enjoy it!

@tnxjesus 26 күн бұрын

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

@ThroughMyLens 26 күн бұрын

Awesome! I hope you enjoy it!

@angelamrivera7365 26 күн бұрын

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

@ThroughMyLens 26 күн бұрын

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

@gandrjourneys 26 күн бұрын

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.

@NancySaintMarie 26 күн бұрын

I appreciate your enthusiasm!

@alliesyn 26 күн бұрын

This is my favorite KZfaq 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. ❤

@MikeMike-K9ZamboTravels 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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

@Vicki_and_JimC. 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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

@NoOverhead 26 күн бұрын

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.

@CapricornGirl9 26 күн бұрын

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.

@jonikoenig9109 21 күн бұрын

If you come back, you have to go to Bear Town. There is nowhere like it. Pack a lunch, you won’t want to leave❤️❤️

@elg3eco 26 күн бұрын

Your Videos are great and so informative

@galindajohnson1574 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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

@ThroughMyLens 26 күн бұрын

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

@christinerolle3876 26 күн бұрын

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

@ThroughMyLens 26 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@Nito-Almaguer 26 күн бұрын

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

@DarkMatter727 5 күн бұрын

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

@LittleTravelChannel 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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

@MrJennmad10 26 күн бұрын

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!

@lisaboggess1558 26 күн бұрын

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

@kathrynlebda780 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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

@kayleebeare 28 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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

@gretahill7692 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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

@bangWarkop 22 күн бұрын

Terima kasih sharing nya

@amestoy1418 26 күн бұрын

Beautiful places, thanks for sharing it to everyone here.

@XxNEWSOMExX 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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

@kerimurphy4240 26 күн бұрын

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.

@chrismcelroy7915 24 күн бұрын

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

@ElizabethEnCamino 25 күн бұрын

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!

@christopherlands2706 26 күн бұрын

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 :)

@normiewoo787 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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

@RonalynWentz 26 күн бұрын

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.

@barbaraarsenault1192 26 күн бұрын

Cool introduction video about this area.

@Tailsnpaws 25 күн бұрын

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.

@realtymatters 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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

@KatherineHarrisSzerdy 26 күн бұрын

Wonderful video, but you need to come back in the fall! Missing Pops!

@C-TOS 26 күн бұрын

Things went from 0 to 100 real quick after the storm.

@ahmetkaraslan 26 күн бұрын

awesome

@nomadawhereva 25 күн бұрын

Nice to see you near me. Be sure to check out blackwater falls State Park and macks bingo in Wardensville

@eaglesavage4929 9 күн бұрын

Staying in Babcock for 4 nights in a cabin we're doing all of the things yall did

@johnilles8980 25 күн бұрын

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!!!

@thetravelandhikingjournal 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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

@robertstambaugh3495 26 күн бұрын

I thought you should have mentioned while in Thurmond that the film Matewan, referring to the town, not far from Thurmond, was filmed there. The topic of the film was the 1920s Matewan Massacre. Starring Chris Coopet, James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell, and Will Oldham.

@barbaramadson3538 26 күн бұрын

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?

@sandrafinney9925 11 күн бұрын

I went white water rafting down the gorge and it was my first time and it was amazing and scary 😂❤

@jymnmeier3527 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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!

@cjpham6614 25 күн бұрын

That's a scary drop-off. I wonder how many IG influencers have fallen off trying to take a pic lol

@jameshammer-uw8iq 26 күн бұрын

After seeing your video tornado touchdown you are very close to one

@angierainey482 26 күн бұрын

Storms like that happen in the summer in the south. Most of the time it brings in cooler weather.

@ThroughMyLens 26 күн бұрын

Aww ok, it was crazy!

@andrewcotton4382 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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 26 күн бұрын

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.