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  4. Photos show inside the newest national park New River Gorge, home to an abandoned mining town and one of the tallest bridges in the US

Photos show inside the newest national park New River Gorge, home to an abandoned mining town and one of the tallest bridges in the US

Melissa Wiley   

Photos show inside the newest national park New River Gorge, home to an abandoned mining town and one of the tallest bridges in the US
New River Gorge in West Virginia is America's newest national park.Sean Pavone/Shutterstock; Preston Keres/The Washington Post via Getty Images
  • New River Gorge in West Virginia was named America's newest national park in December 2020.
  • It has attracted adventurers for years with its whitewater rafting and rock climbing.
  • It's also home to trails that explore the remnants of an abandoned mining town, Nuttallburg.

On December 27, 2020, Congress made West Virginia's New River Gorge America's 63rd - and newest - national park.

On December 27, 2020, Congress made West Virginia
View of the New River Gorge from a Grandview overlook.      Panama_Shawn/Shutterstock

Source: GovTrack

Nicknamed "The New," the national park and preserve spans 73,000 acres along the New River in the Appalachian Mountains.

Nicknamed "The New," the national park and preserve spans 73,000 acres along the New River in the Appalachian Mountains.
A bridge crosses the New River in New River Gorge.      Andriy Blokhin/Shutterstock

The New's most iconic attraction is a single-arch bridge that rises 876 feet over the New River Gorge. Built in 1977, it is the third-tallest bridge in the US, according to the National Park Service.

The New
The New River Gorge Bridge is 876 feet tall.      Paul Brady Photography/Shutterstock

Every third Saturday in October, a few hundred people gather for Bridge Day to parachute and rappel off the bridge. The tradition started in 1980, and thousands of spectators watch each year, according to the official Bridge Day website.

Every third Saturday in October, a few hundred people gather for Bridge Day to parachute and rappel off the bridge. The tradition started in 1980, and thousands of spectators watch each year, according to the official Bridge Day website.
Base jumpers take off from the New River Bridge on October 15, 2005 (left) and October 20, 2007 (right).      Jeff Swensen/Getty Images; Preston Keres/The The Washington Post via Getty Images

Source: Bridge Day

The most famous outlook in the park is known as the Grandview. Located near the Grandview Visitor Center- one of four visitor centers in the park - it looks out over a horseshoe-like bend in the New River.

The most famous outlook in the park is known as the Grandview. Located near the Grandview Visitor Center- one of four visitor centers in the park - it looks out over a horseshoe-like bend in the New River.
View from the Grandview main outlook.      Zack Frank/Shutterstock

Another highlight attraction is Sandstone Falls. The largest waterfall in the park, it extends 1,500 feet across the New River and drops between 10 and 25 feet.

Another highlight attraction is Sandstone Falls. The largest waterfall in the park, it extends 1,500 feet across the New River and drops between 10 and 25 feet.
The New River at Sandstone Falls.      Kenneth Keifer/Shutterstock

The river is known for its rapids and is particularly popular with paddlers, according to the NPS. From April through October, a handful of local companies lead white water rafting trips across two sections of the river.

The river is known for its rapids and is particularly popular with paddlers, according to the NPS. From April through October, a handful of local companies lead white water rafting trips across two sections of the river.
Rafters float towards the rapids under the New River Gorge Bridge on August 26, 2016.      Steve Heap/Shutterstock

Climbers also flock to New River Gorge, which has more than 1,400 climbing routes. One of the most popular climbing areas is Endless Wall, a vertical sandstone cliff that rises 120 feet.

Climbers also flock to New River Gorge, which has more than 1,400 climbing routes. One of the most popular climbing areas is Endless Wall, a vertical sandstone cliff that rises 120 feet.
The Endless Wall (left) rise above the New River Gorge.      Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

With nine camping sites, 13 miles of bike paths, 53 miles of river, and over 100 miles of hiking trails, there is no shortage of outdoorsy things to do in the park.

With nine camping sites, 13 miles of bike paths, 53 miles of river, and over 100 miles of hiking trails, there is no shortage of outdoorsy things to do in the park.
A woman enjoys a view of the New River Gorge Bridge from the end of the Long Point Trail.      Francisco Blanco/Shutterstock

Visitors can walk trails that take them through vestiges of the coal and mining industry - such as remnants of Nuttallburg, an abandoned mining town where coal tipples run through the trees.

Visitors can walk trails that take them through vestiges of the coal and mining industry - such as remnants of Nuttallburg, an abandoned mining town where coal tipples run through the trees.
A coal tipple in the abandoned mining town of Nuttallburg on December 29, 2018.      Dii Johnson/Shutterstock

New River Gorge "is a natural wonder in the category of the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls," Chelsea Ruby, the West Virginia tourism commissioner, told The Washington Post in January.

New River Gorge "is a natural wonder in the category of the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls," Chelsea Ruby, the West Virginia tourism commissioner, told The Washington Post in January.
The New River Gorge Bridge at dusk.      Nikolai Hamel/Shutterstock

"It has flown a bit under the nation's radar, but this designation puts it in its rightful place," Ruby told The Washington Post of the park.

"It has flown a bit under the nation
A lone jumper at New River Gorge Bridge.      Daniel Friend/Shutterstock

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