Most travel sites say May through October is the best time to visit New River Gorge — and they're not wrong. But a local breaks down what every season is actually like, including why winter might be the gorge's best-kept secret.

The Bridge Walk takes you onto the maintenance catwalk beneath the New River Gorge Bridge — 851 feet above the river, harnessed in, with views that no overlook can match. Here's what it's actually like, and whether it's worth the price.

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.