It was about time that the rippling New River Gorge became acknowledged as a national park in 2020. The bad news: It’s not as easy to find accommodation these days. So, prepare to act quicker than quick when you scan our favorite places to stay for New River Gorge National Park.
Where to stay by area
- Fayetteville – Proximity to New River Gorge Bridge.
- Beckley – Central park access and a wider selection of accommodation.
Top hotel recommendations
- Best location near the bridge: Quality Inn (Fayetteville)
- Best value option: Comfort Inn (Fayetteville area)
- Best central full-service stay: Holiday Inn (Beckley)
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Fayetteville
The town closest to New River Gorge, Fayetteville is the gateway to the northern part of New River Gorge National Park. This is where you’ll find New River Gorge Bridge, the park’s must-see single-span arch bridge.
It’s only 2 miles (3.2 km) from Fayetteville to New River Gorge Bridge, the park-defining monument where the primary Canyon Rim Visitor Center is located.
Planning on hiking? The Fayetteville Area Trails, providing magnificent vistas of the bridge, can be accessed from both flanks of New River Gorge (the town side, to the west, and the visitor center side, to the east).
But it’s, actually, not all about the national park itself. Fayetteville has an atmospheric downtown area of just the right size — little enough to be cozy but big enough to offer a fine selection of places to eat.
Pies & Pints is the perfect place to reward yourself with a chilled brew and large pizza after a successful hike.
- Pick Fayetteville for: New River Gorge Bridge.
Best hotels in Fayetteville
Quality Inn New River Gorge
A rare sight in Fayetteville — a chain hotel — Quality Inn New River Gorge presents comfy lodging near that marvelous bridge. While it’s a low-key place to stay, its location is exceptional.
Country Road Cabins
These rustic cabins sit across New River Gorge Bridge from Fayetteville. The out-of-town setting feels remote, yet it’s still only 7 miles (11 km) to the bridge and not much longer to the amenities in Fayetteville.
Comfort Inn New River
Comfort Inn New River offers a good alternative in Oak Hill, 5 miles (8 km) from New River Gorge Bridge. The rooms are simple but the convenience unmistakable.
Beckley
Despite Fayetteville’s charm, there’s a case for the less picturesque Beckley too: Because Fayetteville sits at the northern end of the park, you get more central access if you opt for Beckley.
From Beckley, it’s just an 18-mile (29 km) drive down to the Sandstone Visitor Center at the park’s south end. And it’s still only 23 miles (37 km) from Beckley up to New River Gorge Bridge in the north.
Hiking wise, Beckley gives you superior access to the Grandview Area Trails. The Grandview Rim Trail, offering views of the deepest section of New River Gorge, is one of the best hikes in New River Gorge National Park.
Size wise, Beckley is bigger than Fayetteville. The result: More places to grab a bite and a wider range of accommodation, including many of the big hotel chains.
- Pick Beckley for: Central access.
Best hotels in Beckley
Holiday Inn Beckley
Stay in all night after exploring New River Gorge. With an on-site restaurant, swimming pool and hot tub — there’s no reason to leave the property.
Hampton Inn Beckley
The central New River Gorge access and you-know-what-you-get rooms make Hampton Inn a great choice.
You might wonder…
We recommend staying in Fayetteville, the prime spot to access the northern part of New River Gorge National Park and its landmark bridge. But if you want a more central vantage point, consider bedding down in Beckley.
New River Gorge National Park is a spread-out park with several different gateway towns. However, only 2 miles (3 km) from New River Gorge Bridge, Fayetteville offers the best access to the most-visited slice.
It’s a 23-mile (37 km), 30-minute drive from Beckley to New River Gorge Bridge.
You can tick off the bridge and take some of the main hikes in a day or even less. But add more time if you want to scratch deeper and fully explore the different parts of this stunning West Virginia park.
Keep planning your New River Gorge trip
- Discover why you should visit New River Gorge
- Double down on nature with a stay at Shenandoah NP
- Or travel south to enjoy the things to do in the Smokies
