There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road in West Virginia. While the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is famous for world-class whitewater rafting and hiking trails, you don’t have to lace up a pair of hiking boots to experience the jaw-dropping beauty of the George. Some of the most stunning views, hidden history, and dramatic landscapes are accessible right from your driver’s seat.

Whether you’re traveling through the Mountain State on a summer road trip or looking for a weekend mountain escape, these scenic drives will give you a front-row seat to the best scenery in Appalachia.

Fayette Station Road

If you only have time for one drive, make it this one. Before the famous New River Gorge Bridge opened in 1977, traveling across the George meant taking this narrow, winding hair-pin route all the way down to the river trunk and back up the other side.

• The Drive: This one-way, eight-mile journey takes you directly underneath the steel span of the massive bridge, offering a unique perspective on the engineering marvel overhead. You’ll roll past historic coal mining townsites, navigate tight switchbacks, and cross a low wooden-deck bridge right over the rapids. 
• Timing Note: It takes about forty-five minutes to an hour to complete, but the photo opportunities are endless. 

McKendree Road – Prince to Thurmond 

If your crew wants a rugged, deep-wilderness park experience, this road cuts straight through the remote heart of the national park along the river. It connects the historic Prince Depot (an active Amtrak stop in the park) to the Thurmond area.

• The Drive: It is a primitive, narrow road that closely hugs the river and old rail lines, cutting through dense forest with completely untouched views of the gorge walls.
• Important Note: This is a true backcountry drive. Large sections are unpaved, rough, and narrow. It is highly recommended for high-clearance 4×4 vehicles only, making it a great adventurous route.

Grandview Rim Drive to Turkey Spur

While visitors may know the main Grandview Overlook, many skip the actual park road that continues past the main visitor center lot.

• The Drive: Turkey Spur Road winds deeper along the high rim of the Gorge, completely shrouded in towering rhododendrons and old-growth trees. It leads directly to the Turkey Spur Overlook parking area.
• The View: At the end of the drive, you get a dramatic, panoramic view of the river’s horseshoe bend and the active railroad town of Quinnimont down below. It’s fully paved, easily accessible, and incredibly scenic.

Route 20 – Sandstone Scenic Overlook Loop

This route sits at the southern gateway of the national park. When visitors leave the Sandstone Visitor Center heading toward Hinton on Route 20, they are treated to an incredible ridge-line drive that looks straight down into the Gorge from above.

• The Stops: This stretch of highway features two official national park pull-offs: the Sandstone Falls Overlook (which gives you a bird’s-eye view of the entire 1,500-foot-wide waterfall from high up on the mountain flank) and the Brooks Overlook (which looks down onto Brooks Island, a prime spot for viewing bald eagles).

Gatewood Road to Cunard River Access

For a drive that transitions from local plateau farmland straight down into the steep, rugged belly of the gorge, the route down to Cunard is a classic park drive.

• The Drive: Turning off onto Gatewood Road from Fayetteville and following the park signs to Cunard takes you down a winding, steep descent to one of the premier river launch points in the canyon. It gives drivers a firsthand look at how quickly the topography shifts from flat plateau to dramatic canyon walls, ending right at the water’s edge where the big whitewater rafters launch.

Tips for a Safe Mountain Drive

Driving down into the Gorge requires a little extra attention behind the wheel. Keep these tips in mind to ensure a smooth trip:

• Check your brakes before heading down steep grades like Fayette Station Road. Downshift into a lower gear to let your engine control your speed instead of riding your brakes the whole way down.
• Cell service can be incredibly spotty once you drop below the rim of the gorge. Download your offline maps (and music!) before you leave the main highway.
• Watch for wildlife and pedestrians. These scenic routes are popular with deer, wild turkeys, hikers, and cyclists sharing the narrow shoulders.

Pack some snacks, roll down the windows to catch that clean mountain air, and take your time enjoying the ride through America’s newest national park.

Road Closures

Before you turn the key, make sure the route is clear. Mountain weather, seasonal maintenance, and rockslides can cause unexpected disruptions on these mountain roads. Check the official NPS Road and Trail Closures page to get live updates on park conditions.

We’re Always Here to Help

Sometimes you plan every single detail of a road trip perfectly, and things still don’t turn out quite how you wanted. If a breakdown or a flat tire interrupts your mountain getaway, remember that we are always here for you. We make it a point to prioritize out-of-town visitors who end up stranded in our area to help get your trip back on track. Heck, if your vehicle has to stay at the shop, we’ll even drop you off at your hotel and pick you back up again when the repair is finished. With towing, recovery and repairs all covered, no matter what the road throws at you, consider us your ultimate backup plan in the New River Gorge area.