Thurmond is a near-ghost town at the bottom of the gorge with a current population of five people — and we'd recommend it even if you only have one day in the park. Here's why it's worth the drive, what to see when you get there, and why you should go sooner rather than later.

Long Point and Endless Wall are popular for a reason — but they're two trails in a 70,000-acre park. Step off the beaten path even slightly and you can have the forest entirely to yourself. Here's where locals actually go when they want some quiet.

Whether you forgot something at home or just need to stock up before hitting the trails, you won't struggle to find what you need near New River Gorge. Here's where to go — from the fully-loaded Walmart that GPS keeps sending visitors to by accident, to a nonprofit working farm with some of the best local produce in southern West Virginia.

This area is better at outdoor adventure than indoor alternatives. But a rainy day here is rarely a lost day — the weather moves fast, the forecasts are unreliable, and half the things on this list are worth doing in any weather. Here's what we'd actually recommend when the clouds roll in.

West Virginia might be one of the most dog-friendly places we've ever visited — and New River Gorge is one of the best national parks in the country to bring your pup. Dogs are welcome on every single trail, camping is free, and the town of Fayetteville has no shortage of restaurants happy to see them too. Here's everything you need to know before you go.

Yes, New River Gorge is completely free to enter — no gate, no pass, no booth. But there's an interesting reason why, and a few things worth knowing before you show up. Here's the full picture.

New River Gorge gets marketed as an extreme adventure destination, and sure — you can raft Class IV rapids and climb 100-foot cliffs if that's your thing. But some of our favorite moments here have been with a toddler on a hip or a grandparent who just wanted to see the bridge. The gorge delivers either way. Here's how we'd plan a trip when big hikes and wild water aren't on the table.

Tudor's biscuits, a waffle with homemade toffee butter, an asiago bagel sandwich in a 107-year-old church, and cake for breakfast. A local's guide to starting your gorge day right.

Not every stretch of the New River is safe for a casual dip — but a few spots are absolutely worth it. Here's where locals actually go to cool off.

Only have one day at the New River Gorge? We've thought a lot about this. Here's exactly how a local would spend it — from the can't-miss stops everyone should see to a choose-your-own-adventure afternoon.

Every visitor asks it. The honest answer is that you genuinely can't go wrong — but there are real differences worth knowing about. Here's our local breakdown of every rafting company at the New River Gorge so you can pick the one that fits your trip.