New River Gorge National Park is such a fun place to visit! Aside from the usual outdoor activities, there are three little known hidden gems you need to do.
1. New River Gorge Bridge Walk
This is a guided tour of the bridge from the catwalk beneath the bridge. The catwalk is 24 inches wide, about 800 feet above the river, and you’re fastened to a safety cable. Tours last about three hours and you get to walk the entire 3,030ft length of the bridge. It moves at a slow pace, so you will have plenty of time to stop for pictures. The views are beautiful! It’s so much fun and I learned so much about the bridge.
2. Visit the abandoned town of Thurmond
Not far from the New River Gorge National Park, you will find Thurmond. In the early 1900’s this town was booming! It was an important part of the New River Gorge, carrying coal shipments from the surrounding coal fields. The banks here were the richest in the state, but during the Great Depression things began to go downhill. Many businesses closed and by the mid 1930’s things still weren’t any better.
Now, according to the 2021 census, there are only three residents, and the town is owned by the National Park Service. The whole town is a designated historic district and visitors are encouraged. There are quite a few well-preserved buildings to see, including a bank, hotel, train depot, and more.
To get here you will cross a one lane bridge that is a little scary, but it’s okay!
Directions: Take U.S. Route 19 to the Glen Jean exit, north of Beckley. Follow signs to Thurmond, seven miles down WV Route 25 (Route 25 is a narrow, winding road and is not recommended for RVs or trailers).
3. Visit the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
Here you will learn all about the life of a coal miner. Aside from the actual coal mine, there is the coal camp, museum, and gift shop.
The underground tour is awesome! It’s about 180ft underground, and always 58°F so bring a jacket. The guides are former miners, so they tell a first-hand account of what this life was like. After the tour, you can explore the recreated camp. There is a company house, miner’s shanty, school, and more.
They are open daily from April 1st-November 2nd
