New River Gorge: Things to Do in Fayetteville, WV

Spend your first day at New River Gorge National Park with a visit to the Bridge Trail and explore some things to do in Fayetteville, WV. This post is part of our New River Gorge Itinerary: 6-Day National Park Trip.

With limited time due to travel, visit some of the nearby attractions, including local restaurants and breweries. If you have some extra time in the area, put a Jeep Tour on your list and explore the backroads. Finally, visit the Canyon Rim Visitor Center to get your first taste of those amazing views of the New River Bridge.

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Where to Stay

🛏️ Book your stay in nearby Fayetteville, WV. This is a perfect location to use as your home base while exploring New River Gorge National Park.

• Cantrell Ultimate Rafting – choose from tent camping, RV hookups, cabins, and bungalows. Walking distance to the village of Fayetteville and five minutes from the New River Gorge Bridge.
• The Historic Morris Harvey House Bed and Breakfast – breakfast included! Close to downtown Fayetteville, this mansion is on the Register of Historic Places.
• Quality Inn New River – run of the mill chain hotel offering free breakfast & a best seller. Outdoor pool on site.
• Rifrafters Campground – RV sites, tent camping, cabins. Pet-friendly.
• Check out the options on Vrbo as well!

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 as early as you can to try to guarantee 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. Bring at least 1 liter of water for every 5 miles you are hiking. Say no to those plastic water bottles and get a reusable water bladder instead.
• 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.
• Make a plan to tell at least one person where you plan to be on 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 head out because thunderstorms can pop up in the summer months.

Animal Safety in New River Gorge National Park

• 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.
• 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!

Bridge Trail – moderate – 1.4 miles, out and back

One of the things to do in Fayetteville, WV is hike on the Bridge Trail. This trail will lead you underneath the bridge for an alternative view of the New River Bridge. This is one of the only locations where you can see the bridge up close from below, unless you complete the Bridge Walk.

First, park at the parking lot along Fayette Station Road. Then, head out on the trail which will climb steadily for about half a mile before reaching switchbacks that travel along the rim of the New River Gorge.

Eventually, the trail will lead you to a short section directly underneath the massive steel bridge. Once you have enjoyed your time checking out the bridge, head back the way you came to the parking lot. You may even see some people completing the Bridge Walk!

Things to Do in Fayetteville, WV

After you complete the Bridge Trail, head into town to explore what Fayetteville has to offer. There are many things to do in Fayetteville to help you get acquainted with your home base for the duration of your trip. Walk around, grab a bite to eat, or even go on a Jeep Tour.

🚣🏽‍♀️ If you have some extra time, why not go ziplining or visit the waterpark? Check out the options from GetYourGuide.

Grab a Bite to Eat

Fayetteville is home to some excellent local restaurants. We recommend checking out Pies & Pints for some delicious pizza. Our favorite pizza here is the Street Corn pizza. It’s super good! Pies & Pints got its start right here in Fayetteville and now has locations in 5 states.

Other great local restaurants include Secret Sandwich Society, Cathedral Cafe, and Wanderlust Creative Foods. If you are looking for ice cream, check out Riverchick Farm Food Truck or The Stache!

Visit a Local Brewery

Next, if you are looking for a great place to relax and have a drink, head to The Freefolk Brewery or Bridge Brew Works. Both of these local establishments brew their own beer, and if the timing is right, The Freefolk Brewery might even have some live music.

➡️ Read next: Best Hikes in New River Gorge: Endless Wall & Long Point

Check out the Canyon Rim Visitor Center

Lastly, one of the last things to do in Fayetteville is visit the Canyon Rim Visitor Center of New River Gorge National Park. Here, you will find some short trails and scenic overlooks that will reward you with some excellent views of the New River Bridge.

Finally, head inside and find more information about the history of the residents, towns, and industries of the New River Gorge. A large selection of souvenirs are also available to purchase here in the gift shop.

Final Thoughts

After driving for 4 hours, we had a great half day at New River Gorge. We enjoyed our first views of the New River Bridge along the short Bridge Trail and followed it up with a nice, relaxing walk through downtown Fayetteville.

We got some ice cream made with coconut milk at the Riverchick Farm Food Truck and enjoyed some delicious pizza from Pies & Pints! It was a great way to start off our vacation in West Virginia.