How to Hike the Grandview Rim Trail & More: New River Gorge

Spend a half day at New River Gorge National Park hiking the Grandview Rim Trail & more! The Grandview section of the park is definitely a must-visit destination when exploring this national park.

First, stop at the Grandview Overlook, which provides a great panoramic view of a “horseshoe” bend in the New River. Then, hike the short Tunnels Trail followed by the Grandview Rim Trail. The Grandview Rim Trail is a nice loop that will lead you to Turkey Spur Overlook. Check out our full 6-day itinerary on New River Gorge for more fun!.

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Before You Venture Out

• It is FREE to visit New River Gorge National Park!
• Parking may be an issue during peak season. Get to the trailheads and points of interest as early as you can to try to guarantee parking. However, the Grandview Visitor Center has plenty of parking.

Weather and General Safety in New River Gorge National Park

• Cell phone coverage is fairly good here. We did encounter service issues in some of the more remote areas of the park.
• Carry plenty of snacks and water. Be sure to bring at least 1 liter of water for every 5 miles you are hiking. Invest in a reusable water bladder and get sustainable!
• Pack PB&J and other snacks to eat around lunchtime on the trails. Snack time is the best time!
• Always carry a first aid kit and make a plan to tell at least one person where you plan to be each day in case something happens.
• Reduce your risk by preparing and having the proper gear for all hikes you plan to complete. This means good shoes and proper hiking attire. No flip-flops!
• Be aware of the weather at all times. Check the forecast before you begin your day.

Animal Safety in New River Gorge National Park

• Ticks are present in the park. Always complete a tick check after hiking! More information on types of ticks is located here. Tick-borne illness can be serious. Learn how to protect yourself and your family here.
  • Fun fact! After hiking on the first trail we visited at New River Gorge, I had the pleasure of finding a tick on my leg even while staying in the center of the trail and using bug spray. Luckily, it was not attached, but it was smaller than a poppy seed, so it could have gone unnoticed. Always complete a tick check!
• Mosquitoes will also be present in the warmer months. Invest in some good bug spray to make your time outdoors more enjoyable. If you are anything like me, this is definitely necessary. I have been chased out of the woods by swarms of mosquitoes!
• New River Gorge National Park is home to many animals, including foxes, chipmunks, deer, black bears (rare), eagles, fish, snakes, and more. The park is home to copperhead and timber rattlesnakes. Both are venomous, however, these snakes are not usually aggressive unless you provoke them.

Grandview, WV

First up, head to Grandview, WV, to complete these hikes and explore the area. If you visit Thurmond earlier in the morning before heading here, it’s about a 50-minute drive.

The Grandview area of New River Gorge is a perfect place to spend an afternoon. There are restrooms here at the visitor center, but the actual visitor center is usually only open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day, so plan accordingly.

Walk Down to the Grandview Overlook

When you arrive in the Grandview area of New River Gorge, park closest to the visitor center to hike to the popular trails here. Then, head down the Grandview Walkway Trail, which is only about 0.1 miles. This will lead you to the Grandview Overlook, and it’s definitely a sight to see!

Overlooking the New River with a ‘horseshoe bend” turn provides amazing views of New River Gorge. This is just a short stop, so get some pictures, spend some time, and then head back the way you came to the junction of the Tunnels Trail. The Tunnels Trail begins right off the Overlook Trail.

Tunnels Trail – 0.5 miles – easy, loop

Next, take a short but fun hike on the Tunnels Trail. This is a very easy loop through the dense forest of New River Gorge. This is a perfect trail to visit during the hot summer months, as the shade from the canopy will keep you cooler.

That said, it still might be humid, muggy, and buggy. Follow the trail and be sure to watch your footing on the stairs here. As of 2024, the tunnel is closed due to safety concerns, but the rock formations here are pretty cool.

Eventually, the loop trail will dump you back out where you started. Then, get ready for a longer hike along the Grandview Rim Trail to the Turkey Spur Overlook.

➡️ Read next: New River Gorge Hikes: How to Visit Sandstone Falls

Grandview Rim Trail – 3.2 miles – moderate, loop/out and back, 420 ft gain

Finally, take a hike on the Grandview Rim Trail. This is one of the longer trails in the area, but it is worth the hike to the Turkey Spur Overlook at the end of the trail. If the season is right, the rhododendrons will be in bloom. 🌸

Stop at Turkey Spur as a halfway point and eat lunch or some snacks at the top of the towering overlook. You can technically drive to the Turkey Spur Overlook, but where’s the fun in that?

First, start hiking on the Castle Rock Trail. This trail will become part of the loop. Alternatively, an easier route is to use the Grandview Rim Trail. The Castle Rock Trail is more fun and features some steep sections, great views, and towering cliffs above. This part of the trail is only about a half mile but is somewhat challenging.

If you choose Castle Rock, you’ll link up with the Grandview Rim trail and take a right toward the Turkey Spur Overlook area. From the junction, it is about 1 mile, one way. From here, the trail follows the road in and out of the woods and offers some nice views of the New River Gorge.

The trail is mostly flat here until the end, where it does get steep in sections. Once you reach the end of the trail, Turkey Spur awaits.

Turkey Spur Overlook

You made it! Now, you only have to survive a few more steep stair climbs to reach the overlook, but this is well worth the effort, and you’ll see why once you reach the top.

Spend some time here, take a rest, and eat a nice, relaxing lunch or some snacks before heading back the way you came toward the visitor center.

When you reach the junction of the Castle Rock Trail, stay on the Grandview Rim Trail. This is a bit easier and will also lead you to the North Overlook for one final stop and view of the New River and surrounding mountains. End your afternoon here at the visitor center before heading back to Fayetteville for the evening.

‼️Check out the Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, or Best Western in Beckley, WV, to be closer to this section of the park.

Final Thoughts

The Grandview area is one of our favorite areas at New River Gorge. If time allows, this is a perfect area to spend some time during a trip here. There are short trails, long trails, and something for everyone here. If you are looking for a picnic area, this is a great spot as well.

Our favorite trail here was the Castle Rock Trail, just because it was a little more challenging and interesting compared to the flat trail above. Be sure not to miss this location of New River Gorge National Park!