Planning the perfect day at the New River is an essential part of any southern West Virginia adventure, but choosing the right entry point involves more than just looking at a map. Our rugged mountain terrain means that reaching popular spots like Fayette Station, Cunard, or Thurmond requires navigating everything from tight switchbacks to rough, unpaved gravel roads. Before you hook up the boat trailer or load down the family sedan, use our local guide to check the drive profiles for each major river access point so you can ensure your vehicle is up for the journey and your trip stays on track.
Lower Gorge: Whitewater & Big Views
Fayette Station
Location:
Right under the New River Gorge Bridge at the bottom of Fayette Station Road.
The Drive:
Easy for most vehicle types. It’s fully paved, making it perfectly accessible for standard sedans. However, we don’t recommend attempting to tow a trailer or drive a long vehicle (like a large camper or RV) down this route. The switchbacks are tight, the road is one-way in most sections, and the mountain grades are steep.
Best For:
New River Gorge Bridge views at their peak! There are plenty of places to pull over for pictures of the bridge. The ultimate takeout point for lower gorge whitewater trips, private kayakers, or people who just want to watch the rafts splash through the rapids under the bridge while dipping your toes in the New River. It features a heavy-use boat launch, parking, and public restrooms. Hiking trails surround the area where you can follow creeks and streams, relax on the rocks or just take a stroll. At the start of the drive, you can stop by Canyon Rim visitors center to browse exhibits, learn about local flora and fauna and visit their gift shop!
Cunard
Location:
Located down Cunard Road, just outside of Fayetteville.
The Drive:
Moderate. The access road is mostly paved but it is narrow, winding, and features steep drop-offs with a sharp descent down to the river lot. It can accommodate vehicles towing standard whitewater raft trailers since commercial outfitters use it daily, but regular drivers should take it slow, use low gears, and leave plenty of room for oncoming traffic. Expect road work and a single lane.
Best For:
A primary launch point (put-in) for the famous whitewater runs down the New River. It features a heavy-use boat launch, parking, and public restrooms. Hiking trails surround the area with bountiful river views.
Middle Gorge: Historical & Scenic
Thurmond / Dun Glen
Location:
Right across the river from the historic Thurmond Depot, accessed via Route 25 out of Glen Jean.
The Drive:
Easy. The road leading into Thurmond is paved, but it is a classic, narrow West Virginia mountain road with plenty of curves. The final stretch requires driving across a historic, narrow wood-decked bridge shared with a live train track. It is accessible by normal cars, but larger vehicles and trailers should navigate with caution due to the tight space around the historic townsite.
Best For:
A popular transition spot. It serves as a takeout for calmer floats coming from upstream or a longer, mellow put-in for people heading down river. Bathrooms, a gift shop, historical exhibits and more available at the Thurmond Depot.
Stone Cliff
Location:
Just a couple of miles upstream from Thurmond along the dirt section of Route 25.
The Drive:
Moderate. To get past Thurmond to Stone Cliff, the pavement ends and turns into a narrow, bumpy dirt and gravel road that runs alongside the river. While a standard sedan can make it down slowly in dry weather, a vehicle with decent ground clearance (like an SUV or truck) is much more comfortable. It can be tight and tracking a large trailer down here is not recommended.
Best For:
Boat ramp access, gravel parking, and a primitive National Park Service campground. It is a major takeout for fishing trips and easy-going day floats. Excellent picnic spot with a couple small spots on the river you can swim in (depending on water levels).
Upper Gorge: Calm Water & Fishing
McCreery
Location:
Right where Route 41 crosses the New River, heading south toward Beckley.
The Drive:
Easy. Located right off Route 41, this is one of the most accessible ramps in the area. The road is fully paved right up to the concrete launch, and the parking lot is wide and flat. This is the premier spot if you are towing a fishing boat or standard trailer, as it avoids the tight mountain switchbacks found deeper in the gorge.
Best For:
A very accessible public concrete boat ramp with parking right across the highway. It’s the perfect starting point for an 11-mile scenic float down to Stone Cliff.
Grandview Sandbar
Location:
Down the gravel access road from Route 41 (near Royal).
The Drive:
Difficult / Adventurous. Reaching the sandbar requires driving down a long, narrow, and often rough gravel access road from Route 41. It features potholes, washboards, and tight passing areas. While a sedan can manage if the driver goes incredibly slow, an SUV or truck is highly recommended. The New River Gorge National Park Service recommends medium to small (not exceeding 31ft) RV’s for this road
Best For:
Excellent river access for canoes, kayaks, and fishermen, complete with an NPS campground and picnic areas right on the water.
Glade Creek
Location:
At the end of the gravel access road past Grandview Sandbar.
The Drive:
Difficult. Located at the very end of the same gravel road past Grandview Sandbar, the road condition remains rough, unpaved, and isolated. It is a slow, bumpy ride where high-clearance trucks or SUVs excel. Do not attempt to haul campers, large trailers, or low-riding vehicles down this stretch. The National Park recommends only taking vehicles with high clearance and 4WD.
Best For:
A beautiful access point at the confluence of Glade Creek and the New River, popular for anglers, hikers, and campers.
Meadow Creek
Location:
Located further south, easily accessed via Route 20 or I-64 (Exit 138).
The Drive:
Easy. Located on the upper stretch of the river near the interstate, this access point features smooth, paved roads leading right to the water. It is very straightforward, flat compared to the deep gorge routes, and entirely friendly for sedans, standard trucks, and smaller trailers.
Best For:
Launching peaceful float trips and overnight camping journeys through the more isolated stretches of the upper gorge.
Choose the Best Spots For You & Your Vehicle
Taking the time to match your vehicle’s capabilities with the right river access site ensures a seamless day of exploring the best the New River has to offer. Whether you choose the popular Fayette Station Road or decide to tackle the rugged gravel roads leading out to Grandview Sandbar, keeping an eye on local road conditions and knowing your vehicle’s limits will protect your gear and your peace of mind. For an even closer look at all the available entry points, boat launches, and current river safety guidelines, check out the official Road & Trail Closures page on the NPS website to plan your specific route before you head out.
Fayette County’s Go-To for Towing, Recovery & Repairs
Even with the best planning, our steep Appalachian mountain terrain and winding backroads can put unexpected stress on your vehicle or trailer. Heavy summer hauling up and down deep gorge switchbacks can lead to sudden overheating, brake wear, or a blown trailer tire when you least expect it. It’s easy to misjudge a sharp curve, fail to take a switchback wide enough, or accidentally slide a tire off the narrow shoulder of a gravel access road.
If you find your car, truck, RV or trailer in a tight spot or broken down on the way to the water, the crew at DTE Repair & Towing is ready to step in. Check out our services list to see what all we do! Our local Oak Hill shop is fully equipped for emergency repairs and preventative maintenance, and our 24/7 recovery fleet specializes in everything from winch-outs to heavy-duty towing—even on our most difficult river access routes—to get you off the shoulder and safely back to your summer adventure.
