New River Gorge, Beckley & Beyond

Expiration: Mar 31st 2026

Enhance your stay in Southern West Virginia by visiting some of the 25 iconic landmarks on this list in the Beckley, New River Gorge, and greater Summersville areas to earn points and win prizes to commemorate your vacation. Discover the trails of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, view the murals while wandering the downtowns of Summersville and Richwood, bask in cascading waterfalls, see a show or join a community event at the amphitheater in Oak Hill, and dive into the mining history of Mt. Hope, Nuttalburg, and Beckley.

Locations:
Murals in Downtown Summersville
Summersville Lake
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
Downtown Richwood Murals
Gauley River Pottery
Canyon Rim Visitor Center at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Endless Wall Trail at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Nuttalburg at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Hawks Nest State Park
Cathedral Falls
Kanawha Falls
Babcock State Park
Downtown Fayetteville
Long Point Trail at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Kaymoor Trails at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Lively Family Amphitheater in Oak Hill
Needles Eye Park
Thurmond at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Downtown Mount Hope
Tamarack Marketplace
Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
Piney Creek Preserve
Lake Stephens Almost Heaven Swing
Little Beaver State Park
Grandview at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Included Venues

See locations on an interactive map.

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine & Youth Museum

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Beckley Youth Museum open year-round: Now showing: Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit (January-August 2025). Very Eric Carle is a play-and-learn exhibit featuring activities inspired by five of Eric Carle's classic books. Co-organized by the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, Massachusetts.

Coal Mine opens March 28: Travel into an old coal mine via tram and listen to retired miners tell the history of coal miners within the New River Gorge. After the mine tour, get an in-depth look at what a mining community looked like in the mid-20th century by exploring the miner’s homes and school house.

Canyon Rim Visitor Center at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

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The Canyon Rim Visitor Center is a gateway to the breathtaking New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. It offers a wealth of information and resources for anyone looking to explore the area's natural wonders. The Canyon Rim Visitor Center provides a variety of exhibits, interactive displays, and educational programs that highlight the ecology, geology, and history of the New River Gorge. From the observation deck, visitors can take in panoramic views of the New River Gorge Bridge, one of the most iconic landmarks in West Virginia.

Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park

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Set on the rim of the Gauley River Canyon, the 156-acre Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park is an important Civil War battle site. It is part of the Civil War Discovery Trail, which links more than 300 historical sites in 16 states, and commemorates the 1861 Battle of Carnifex Ferry, a major Union victory that led to the eventual Confederate withdrawal from western Virginia. Carnifex Ferry is one of the oldest state parks in the United States and is a popular site for Civil War reenactments.

Cathedral Falls

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Cathedral Falls is one of the tallest and most scenic waterfalls found in Almost Heaven. This natural wonder sits at 60 feet tall, with waters plunging over sandstone and shale cliffs. Cathedral falls is both beautiful and easy to access – visible from Route 60 and with a designated parking area. Follow the short roadside path to get up close and personal with this mountain wonder.

Downtown Fayetteville

Fayetteville is a small town not too far from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. Dine, shop, and explore the small, outdoorsy, and artsy businesses that call the town home.

Downtown Mt Hope

Mt. Hope is a quaint small town with a rich history in coal mining. The town also highlights local African American history through DuBois on Main, a non-profit dedicated to showing the contributions of DuBois High School.

Endless Wall Trail at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Endless Wall Trail is a popular hiking trail located in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. This easy-to-moderate trail offers stunning views of the rugged cliffs and deep gorges that line the New River. The trail leads hikers through a dense forest, along the edge of the sandstone cliffs, and past several scenic overlooks that provide breathtaking views of the river below.

Gauley River Pottery

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A working pottery studio that showcases a large selection of high-fired stoneware. Halfway between Fayetteville and Summersville. 1/2 mile off of Rt 19.

Babcock State Park

Babcock State Park hosts hiking trails, a lake that’s perfect for fishing and paddling, and a scenic grist mill that is still operational.

Grandview at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

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Get grand views of mountains fading into the horizon at Grandview within the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Visitors can hike on the trails, take in the views, attend a ranger program, or see a show at Theatre West Virginia.

Hawks Nest State Park

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Take in the views of the New River Gorge beyond the National Park. Visitors can hike, ride on a jet boat, or dine with scenic views of the New River Gorge.

Kanawha Falls

Easily spotted from the side of Route 60, Kanawha Falls is a wide cascade on the Kanawha River in Glen Ferris. Kanawha Falls is a series of ledges stretching from one side of the river to the other. It is the very first feature of the river and is still visible from where the New and the Gauley make their confluence.

Kaymoor Trails at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

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Kaymoor Miners Trailhead is a historic site located in Fayetteville, West Virginia at the end of Kaymoor Road. From the trailhead, hikers will descend into the New River Gorge, passing by the ruins of old coal mine buildings, coke ovens, and a coal tipple along the way. These remnants offer a glimpse into the area's coal mining past and provide a unique opportunity to learn about the history of the region. The trail itself is easy-to-moderate, with a gradual descent into the gorge and a total length of around 1.5 miles one way. Along the route, hikers will be treated to stunning views of the New River below, as well as the surrounding forests and cliffs.

The Almost Heaven Swing at Lake Stephens

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The Almost Heaven Swing at Lake Stephens overlooks the lake. It’s the perfect place to take a photo before playing a round of disc golf or going on a boat ride.

Little Beaver State Park

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Little Beaver State Park has an 18-acre lake for fishing and paddling, as well as hiking and biking trails.

Lively Family Amphitheater

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The Lively Family Amphitheater is a vibrant outdoor venue tucked away in the lush surroundings of Oak Hill, West Virginia. This charming amphitheater offers a variety of events, including concerts, performances, community gatherings, and more. Visit the Lively Family Amphitheater Facebook page for upcoming events.

Long Point Trail at Summersville Lake

The Long Point Trail at Summersville Lake is a picturesque hiking trail that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the beautiful Summersville Lake below. The trail is approximately 3 miles long and moderate in difficulty, making it suitable for hikers of all skill levels. This is just one spot of many at Summersville Lake worth exploring. This area is a hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, and rock-climbing hub.

Long Point Trail at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Long Point Trailhead is a popular starting point for hikers and mountain bikers alike looking for grand views of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and the New River Gorge Bridge.

Murals in Downtown Richwood

The murals in downtown Richwood honor the rich mining history of southern West Virginia.

Murals in Downtown Summersville

The large-scale mural in downtown Summersville celebrates the culture surrounding the town and its lake. Done by a local artist, the mural showcases bikers, a kayaker, a rock climber, and a cliff face of Summersville Lake.

Needleseye Park

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The City of Oak Hill's Needleseye Park rocks. It's an outdoor recreation mecca for climbing, hiking and mountain biking that adds another option for tourism in the New River Gorge region.

Nutallburg at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Explore a historic coal tipple, coke ovens, and foundations of a mining town within the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

Piney Creek Preserve

Located in the heart of Beckley, Piney Creek Preserve has hiking trails that lead to two different waterfalls on the WV Waterfall Trail.

Tamarack Marketplace

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Tamarack Marketplace is a one-of-a-kind retail destination. This unique shopping complex showcases handcrafted goods from local artisans and craftsmen. Visitors can explore various products, including jewelry, pottery, food, textiles, woodworking, and more, all made in West Virginia.

Thurmond Depot Visitor Center

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The Thurmond Depot Visitor Center is a historic site that offers visitors a glimpse into the New River Gorge area's prosperous railroad and mining history. The depot was once a bustling hub of activity, once serving as a vital transportation link for industrial and passenger trains through West Virginia.