New River Gorge is a natural treasure in West Virginia that for a long time was a well-kept local secret. Now, however, the word is out, and the lush gorge with the breathtaking New River Gorge Bridge forms a national park. But where to stay near New River Gorge National Park for the best experience?
Fayetteville is the place to stay closest to New River Gorge Bridge. For more central national park access, Beckley is another great option for where to stay when visiting New River Gorge National Park.
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Table of contents
- Fayetteville – Closest bridge
- Beckley – Central for park
Fayetteville
From Fayetteville, it’s only 2 miles (3.2 km) to New River Gorge Bridge. No other option for where to stay near New River Gorge National Park gives you as great access to the bridge.
New River Gorge Bridge stretches out in the northern part of New River Gorge National Park. Here, you also find the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, welcoming park visitors year round.
Planning on hiking? The Fayetteville Area Trails, which can be accessed from both flanks of New River (the town and visitor center side), offers some of the park’s most incredible views.
The bridge, year-round visitor center and epic trails — it’s easy to see why Fayetteville is such a great option for where to stay when visiting New River Gorge National Park.
But keep in mind that Fayetteville is a small West Virginia town with a limited selection of New River Gorge lodging. The few New River Gorge hotels you find here often sell out long in advance; you need to be quicker than quick to snap up a room.
In short, Fayetteville is the best option for where to stay near New River Gorge if you want the ultimate access to the bridge and Canyon Rim Visitor Center. But if you also want to explore the more southern parts of the park, Beckley is another great alternative for New River Gorge lodging.
- Pick Fayetteville for: The best place to stay near New River Gorge Bridge.
Favorite location. Fayetteville is the alternative for where to stay near New River Gorge National Park that’s located right at New River Gorge Bridge. With such a superb location, enjoying the magnificent bridge becomes effortless.
Recommended hotels in Fayetteville
Quality Inn New River Gorge
Quality Inn New River Gorge provides comfy lodging near the famous bridge. It’s a low-key place to stay at, but the New River Gorge hotel offers a location that’s extremely hard to beat. In just minutes, you can go from the New River Gorge hotel to the awe-inspiring New River Gorge Bridge.
Country Road Cabins
Country Road Cabins are located across New River Gorge Bridge from Fayetteville. Its location out of town feels remote, but it’s still only 7 miles (11 km) to the bridge and just a little further to amenities in Fayetteville. Rustic and surrounded by nature, these cabins near New River Gorge National Park are for visitors who want to escape from it all.
Comfort Inn New River
Sure, this isn’t the most exciting place to stay near New River Gorge, but the friendly vibe and convenience is unmistakable. The Oak Hill location means that you bed down only 5 miles (8 km) from the majestic New River Gorge Bridge.
Beckley
Beckley is an option for where to stay near New River Gorge National Park that’s located further south. As Fayetteville sits at the northern end of the park, you get a more central access if you pick New River Gorge lodging in Beckley.
Still it’s only 23 miles (37 km) from Beckley to New River Gorge Bridge in the north. Meanwhile, to the southern end of the park and Sandstone Visitor Center, you have a reasonable 18 miles (29 km).
So if you choose Beckley for where to stay near New River Gorge, you have great access to both north and south.
And Beckley gives you superior access to the Grandview Area Trails. The Grandview hike, 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 also a bigger town than Fayetteville. With that comes more places to eat and a wider range of New River Gorge accommodation, including many of the big hotel chains.
To sum up, the centrally located Beckley is a great option for where to stay near New River Gorge National Park if you want to see more than just the famous bridge. Here, you also find a bigger selection of New River Gorge lodging.
- Pick Beckley for: New River Gorge hotels with more central access.
Recommended hotels in Beckley
Holiday Inn Beckley
Beckley’s Holiday Inn provides a central base for New River Gorge National Park, making park exploration effortless regardless if you want to go north, central or south. In addition, the New River Gorge hotel’s swimming pool and hot tub are great to enjoy after a long day in nature.
Hampton Inn Beckley
Hampton Inn is a hotel near New River Gorge National Park where you know what you get. The combo of easy New River Gorge access and comfy rooms makes Hampton Inn an appreciated New River Gorge place to stay.
Extend the trip: Shenandoah National Park, three hours from New River Gorge, is home to the vista-lined Skyline Drive. We have narrowed down the best places to stay at Shenandoah NP.
Where to stay near New River Gorge FAQ
Here you find the answers to some frequently asked questions about where to stay near New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia.
Fayetteville is the best place to stay to access the northern part of New River Gorge National Park and the famous New River Gorge Bridge. But if you want a more central vantage point, the southern Beckley is another great option for where to stay when visiting New River Gorge.
West Virginia’s Fayetteville is the town nearest the popular northern part of New River Gorge National Park, where you find the famous New River Gorge Bridge. However, the bigger town Beckley is closer to other parts of the spread out New River Gorge National Park, such as the Grandview Area Trails.
New River Gorge lodging in Fayetteville gives you the best access to New River Gorge Bridge. The scenic West Virginia bridge is located just north of the town. From hotels in Fayetteville, it’s only 2 miles (3 km) to New River Gorge Bridge.
From Beckley to New River Gorge Bridge, the driving distance is 23 miles (37 km) with a driving time of roughly 30 minutes.
You can see 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 the stunning West Virginia park.
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