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A steel arch bridge over a forested valley. 1
A smartphone mounted on a car dashboard displaying a map with a route. 2
A smartphone displaying a Shaka Guide app with features like offline map, turn-by-turn directions, and local music. 3
A map of the New River Gorge National Park Tour with various stops and attractions. 4
A smartphone displaying a map with a hiking trail marked in orange, surrounded by autumn foliage and a cliff. 5

New River Gorge National Park Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour

By Shaka Guide Apps
6.0 out of 10
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$27 per traveller* *Get a lower price by selecting multiple travellers
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 9h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation

Overview

Explore New River Gorge National Park at your own pace on a self-guided GPS audio driving tour through one of West Virginia’s most spectacular landscapes. Follow turn-by-turn directions to iconic viewpoints, waterfalls, historic coal towns, scenic drives, and optional hiking trails, including the New River Gorge Bridge, Sandstone Falls, Grandview, and Thurmond.

Shaka Guide tours are created by real people who know and experience the destinations they guide, bringing the park to life through engaging stories, history, and local insight. Choose the stops that interest you, skip others, and spend as much time as you like exploring.

One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle. Download the Shaka Guide app and tour before you go; once downloaded, the audio and map work offline, and GPS-triggered narration plays automatically as you drive.

Activity location

  • Thurmond
    • Thurmond, West Virginia, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Sam Black Church
    • 24977, Sam Black Church, West Virginia, United States

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability

New River Gorge National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour in English

  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • Opening hours: Tue 12:00 am-11:30 pm
  • English
Language options: English
Price details
NZ$27.03 x 1 TravellerNZ$27.03
Total
Price is NZ$27.03

Activity itinerary

Thurmond

  • 30m
Once a thriving hub of coal mining and transport, Thurmond now stands as a preserved time capsule. It offers visitors a glimpse into the region's rich industrial past. The ghost town is famous for its well-preserved train depot, which serves as a museum. It shows exhibits and artefacts that detail the area's coal mining heritage. With its beautiful location along the New River, Thurmond invites exploration. It serves as a reminder of the resilience and significance of the coal industry and railway, shaping the local community and the surrounding natural landscape.

Long Point Trail

  • 1h 30m
A hiking trail that offers an unforgettable adventure and stunning vistas. This moderate 3.2-mile out-and-back trail winds through a forest, leading hikers to the breathtaking Long Point Overlook. Once you reach the overlook, prepare to be amazed by the panoramic views of the New River Gorge Bridge. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in West Virginia.

Kaymoor Miners Trail

  • 1h 30m
Explore a challenging trail through the remains of the historic Kaymoor mining complex. Temporary access notice: portions of the upper Kaymoor Miners Trail are closed Monday through Thursday through November 19, 2026, for trail rehabilitation. Access may vary, so follow posted National Park Service signs and current conditions during your visit.

Canyon Rim Visitor Center

  • 30m
The Canyon Rim Visitor Centre serves as the gateway to the awe-inspiring wonders of New River Gorge. Located on the edge of the majestic gorge, this visitor centre offers a wealth of information and resources for visitors. It improves their exploration of the park. Inside, you'll find informative displays on the area's geology, ecology, and cultural history. Step outside onto the observation decks, and you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the New River Gorge Bridge. The sprawling canyon below adds to the awe-inspiring scenery.

Fayette Station Road

  • 10m
Whether you're admiring the vibrant fall foliage or capturing stunning photographs, the Fayette Station Road scenic drive offers a calm experience. It allows you to immerse yourself in the old way of crossing the New River Gorge, down and up a winding road. On the first stop of the scenic drive, we’ll visit overlooks directly underneath the New River Gorge Bridge. This will allow you to appreciate the engineering marvel from a new angle.

Tunney Hunsaker Bridge

  • 10m
We’ll park by the river and walk to the Tunney Hunsaker Bridge, or the ‘little bridge’ as some call it. This was the only way to cross the New River Gorge for a long time. Today, it’s the midpoint of the Fayette Station Road scenic drive. A walking path on the side provides excellent views of the New River, and the big bridge above.

Wolf Creek Trail Head

  • 15m
Stop at Wolf Creek Trailhead for a quick walk to two nearby waterfalls, both just a short distance from the trailhead. If you’d like a longer adventure, the trail continues towards the historic Kaymoor Mine area. Spend as much or as little time here as you’d like before continuing the tour.

Endless Wall Trail

  • 2h
A captivating, moderately difficult hiking trail that winds along the rim of the gorge for 2.4 miles. It showcases the raw beauty of the rugged canyon as it winds through forests and along towering cliffs. Along the way, hikers are treated to breathtaking vistas of the New River winding through the gorge. Stunning rock formations that attract climbers from around the world can also be observed. The trail is a loop, with two car parks to choose from. Our recommendation is to hike as far as Diamond Point from either of the lots. Then, turn around and return to the car.

Babcock State Park

  • 30m
The main attraction at Babcock State Park is a beautiful and iconic landmark. It's a fully working replica of a historic water-powered mill. Surrounded by lush greenery and set against the backdrop of babbling Glade Creek, the mill's rustic wooden structure, complete with a working water wheel, exudes charm and memories. It’s a popular photography spot! The state park also has its own hiking trails and a gift shop in the visitor centre.

Sandstone Visitor Center

  • 20m
This visitor centre has exhibits on the area’s ecosystems and human history. It’s also a handy stop to get information about Sandstone Falls. This is before starting on an optional, but very scenic drive towards the waterfall.

Sandstone Falls Overlook

  • 5m
If you're on the fence about driving all the way to Sandstone Falls, you can get a small peek at this overlook. The view isn’t fantastic, but it’s useful as a turnaround point. It can be used if you decide to prioritise other parts of the park.

Brooks Overlook

  • 5m
This overlook offers a nice view of the New River Gorge from a few hundred feet up. The road descends closer to the river level as it heads towards Hinton. The overlook is just a small pull-off, but the view is better than the one at Sandstone Falls Overlook.

Brooks Falls Roadside Park

  • 10m
Enjoy some quality time next to the New River at this small riverside park. Picnic benches sit just feet from the river, and the rippling Brooks Falls.

Sandstone Falls

  • 45m
One of the highlights of the park is Sandstone Falls, which spreads 1500 feet across the entire New River. It descends into crumbling rock formations, adding to the scenic beauty of the area. A series of boardwalks take you through a wooded island in the middle of the river, and to different views of the falls. For a more secluded experience, try the Island Loop Trail, which is an easy, half-mile trail through the woods of the island.

Grandview

  • 30m
One of the ‘grandest’ views of the park, the Grandview area has something for everyone. The main overlook sits near the highest point in the park, overlooking a spectacular curve in the gorge. A handful of trails leave from near the overlook. They take hikers along the cliff walls and to additional scenic overlooks of the river. Grandview also sports a seasonal visitor centre, informational wayside stations, and a playground.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Thurmond
    • Thurmond, West Virginia, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Sam Black Church
    • 24977, Sam Black Church, West Virginia, United States
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    311 Ritter Dr
    • 311 Ritter Drive
    • 25813, Glen Morgan, West Virginia, United States
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Summersville Lake
    • Nicholas County, West Virginia, United States
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Beckley
    • 25801, Beckley, West Virginia, United States
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Fayetteville
    • Fayetteville, West Virginia, United States
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Canyon Rim Visitor Center
    • 162 Visitor Center Road
    • 25862, Lansing, West Virginia, United States

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