We are so excited to talk about America’s newest national park on today’s podcast and here on The RV Atlas blog. Huge thanks to freelance writer Kate Morgan (bykatemorgan.com) for coming on the show and sharing her passion and deep knowledge of New River Gorge. After I read Kate’s recent piece in the Washington Post about New River Gorge, I knew I had to get her on the show. Huge thanks also go to Jay Young and Adventures on the Gorge for generously sharing their beautiful pictures.
If you are going to plan your own trip to New River Gorge, here are Kate’s best tips for can’t miss outdoor activities and for getting great grub in gateway towns. On the podcast we go into great detail about how New River Gorge became a National Park and Preserve, and we also talk about Kate’s custom Ford Transit van. Click on the media player above to listen to my interview with Kate, or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you get your shows!
photo by Kate Morgan
Planning a Trip to New River Gorge
It’s All About the Whitewater Rafting!
photo by Jay Young/Adventures on the Gorge
At New River Gorge, it’s all about the Whitewater Rafting. And even if Whitewater Rafting sounds terrifying to you, this is a great place to try it for the first time. There are sections of the river that are good for beginners and families, and sections that will satisfy the biggest adrenaline junkies. According to Kate, The Upper New River is perfect for families. You can go from tranquil pools which are great for swimming to fun, but smaller rapids. The surroundings are beautiful too. Bring a waterproof camera!
The Lower New River is a lot more challenging with abundant Class III and IV rapids. Kate promises that adventure junkies can get a major adrenaline fix here if they are looking for one. Families with teenagers or more adventurous and capable younger kids might try this too. Kate recommends calling Adventure’s on the Gorge if you want to book a guided adventure!
New River Gorge has Zip lining Tours Galore!
Kate also recommends doing some zip lining during your time in New River Gorge. And once again, she recommends Adventures on the Gorge for a wide variety of experiences for both families and adrenaline junkies. She personally loves a canopy tour called “The Tree Tops Course.” There is also a really cool obstacle course for kids filled with tubes and rope ladders. The video above shows Kate and her boyfriend T.J. racing down a zipline in New River Gorge. T.J. hit 60mph at one point!
Rock Climbing in New River Gorge
photo by Jay Young/Adventures on the Gorge
The theme here seems to be that New River Gorge has outdoor adventures for folks at a variety of ability levels. This is also true of rock climbing. Serious rock climbing veterans have been coming here for years, but there are also plenty of experiences for those that want to learn! For those that are not brave enough, or physically able enough, to try rock climbing, Kate also recommends just pulling up a camp chair and watching from the bottom!
Grub and Brews in New River Gorge’s Gateway Towns
Kate loves Fayetteville and Beckley and suggests visiting both of these adorable gateway towns for great grub, craft brewed beer, and local shopping. Her favorite spots in Fayetteville are “Pies and Pints” and “Secret Sandwich Society.” She recommends getting the heirloom tomato pizza at “Pies and Pints” if you are visiting in the summertime. Even though she is from New Jersey, she claims that it is the best pizza she has ever had. “Secret Sandwich Society,” was recently devastated by a major fire. But she confirmed that they are rebuilding and will be reopening this year!
photo by Jay Young/Adventures on the Gorge
We talked about so much more on today’s podcast and Kate also gave us the scoop on a new campground that is being built specifically for RV owners! You will have to tune in to find out more about that!
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve sounds absolutely amazing to me. It just moved way the heck up on my personal bucket list. Hopefully after listening to today’s podcast it will make it onto your bucket list too!
