| Along Route 19 in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia | | | | the largest and most productive coal mines in the |
| lies the New River Gorge National River. Crossing | | | | gorge, producing 16,904,321 tons of coal from |
| the bridge that spans the gorge takes less than a | | | | 1900 to 1962 - one shovel at a time! |
| minute, giving no hint to travelers of the immense | | | | The New River Gorge Canyon Rim Visitor Center |
| history, geology and technology encompassed in | | | | hosts a small museum, as well as trails and a |
| this valley. However, a stop at the Visitors Center | | | | boardwalk offering view of the Gorge and the |
| offers a unique view of the world's second largest | | | | New River Gorge bridge - the second highest |
| single-span steel arch bridge, a museum of local | | | | bridge in the US at 876 feet above the Canyon |
| history, boardwalk trails and overlooks of the | | | | floor. Opened in 1977, it shortened the 45 minute |
| Gorge. Designation in 1978 as a National River by | | | | journey down one side of the canyon and up the |
| the National Park Service insured the protection of | | | | other into a 45-second trip. |
| 53 miles of this historic watershed. | | | | The 70,000-acre park offers a wide variety of |
| The geology of New River Gorge is fascinating. | | | | recreational activities. Birding, fishing, numerous |
| The New River is actually one of the oldest rivers | | | | nature trails from easy to challenging, waterfalls, |
| in the world and the oldest river in the Western | | | | camping and West Virginia's famous white water |
| Hemisphere. It is one of the few rivers that flows | | | | expeditions are all available in the Gorge area. The |
| northward. With an average depth of 1,000 feet, | | | | protected habitat and geologic variation insures an |
| the New River Gorge is home to an amazingly | | | | amazing range of native plants and animals. The |
| diverse selection of plants and animals. The | | | | Park Service also offers a number of tours and |
| historical geology of the river also created vast | | | | talks about the area. Visit for more details on |
| coal deposits beneath the rugged terrain. | | | | Park programs. |
| Largely inaccessible, the gorge remained | | | | Enjoyed by more than one million tourists each |
| undeveloped for centuries. Native Americans | | | | year, the Gorge offers four major entrypoints. |
| found the resources of the river and its forests | | | | 1. Thurmond's restored depot and walking tour of |
| to be invaluable to their way of life, but left little | | | | the historic district is a must for history buffs. |
| imprint. | | | | 2. Middle Gorge offers primitive camping in a |
| Efforts to promote pioneer settlement included | | | | Korean-era training camp. |
| land grants to veterans of the American | | | | 3. Grandview hosts summer dramas in the |
| Revolution, a wagon route from Virginia and boat | | | | Cliffside Amphitheater. |
| or ferry transport across the river. The first | | | | 4. Sandstone is another primitive area with a |
| settlement within the Gorge was Bowyers Ferry | | | | Visitors Center, trails and a native plant garden. |
| in 1798. It would be almost three-quarters of a | | | | Accommodations range from numerous primitive |
| century before the area was significantly | | | | camping sites and rustic lodges to inns or |
| impacted by economic development. | | | | bed-and-breakfasts. Nearby towns provide |
| A railroad line began to impact the New River | | | | modern hotels, motels and world-class resorts. |
| Gorge by providing transport for coal and timber. | | | | Of special interest are the fall rail excursions |
| The Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) opened a | | | | through the gorge on the New River Train. These |
| rail line from Virginia to Ohio in 1873. Investors | | | | historic railtours operate only two weekends in |
| quickly opened mining operations, and workers | | | | October when the leaves are at their peak. The |
| flocked to New River for employment. Company | | | | full-day round-trip excursion glides along the old |
| towns sprang up ensuring that workers were | | | | C&O rail line through largely inaccessible areas |
| housed and fed - while returning their pay to the | | | | of the gorge from Huntington to Hinton, WV. |
| 'Company' in rent, food and clothing until the last | | | | So the next time you're heading through West |
| mine closed in the 1962. The Gorge now hosts | | | | Virginia on your way to another destination, |
| only ghost towns where thousands of miners | | | | consider stopping along the New River. It's a |
| once lived and worked. Kaymoor One was one of | | | | destination in itself! |