*As seen in the North Canton Living Magazine January 2024
The train whistle echoed through the hills as I edged closer to the abandoned building. I watched as people quickly crossed the tracks as the crossing guard arm came down. The train roared by with its full coal cars rattling. I turned to the empty bank behind me and read the national park signs crediting this lonely spot as one of the busiest train stops in the United States in the early twentieth century. In 1910, the town of Thurmond, West Virginia was one of the highest revenue producing depots not he C&) line reaching nearly $5 million in receipts.
I visited the New River Gorge National Park on its famous Bridge Day. Every third Saturday in October, tens of thousands descend on the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville, WV to free base jump from the second highest bridge in the US. Unfortunately, due to traffic and sheer number of people, I was unable to reach the bridge. Instead, I diverted and visited other areas of the park. Thurmond, WV is an abandoned town on the national registry. The depot building is restored and today used by Amtrak.
The New River Gorge is also known for its epic whitewater rafting and rock climbing. Considered to be the one of the oldest rivers in the world, the New River is actually a misnomer. There are 53 miles of free flowing river from easy rapids to Class III. Commercial rafting companies offer trips year around with the main tourism season April to October.
Rock climbing at the New River Gorge offers over 1,400 established rock climbs. As one of the most popular rock climbing destinations in the country, the sandstone cliffs range in height from 30 to 140 feet. Most of the routes favor expert or advanced climbers.
I took the driving tour that wound down from the visitors center near Fayetteville and under the bridge focusing on the coal history of the area. The driving tour is in the heart of the park and during the summer months, crowds of rafters will paddle by. Today the rafting was minimal due to the lateness in the season and Bridge Day. I took my time to sit by the river under a bright blue sky and dangle my feet from a large boulder. I ate my lunch with only the sound of the river and the occasional murmur or nearby tourists. Most of the bridge jumpers left the evening before and all that remained were the occasional tourist.
The national park is similar to Cuyahoga Valley National Park in that it is an open system not requiring a national park pass. The large and winding park covers over 70,000 acres offering a large variety of adventures. I enjoyed camping next to the New River in the free first come first serve campground. I burned a fire along the river and watched a playful beaver float in the calm river sections.
What I Learned
The movie Matewan released in 1987 was filmed in the town of Thurmond. The movie featured young stars like James Earl Jones and Mary McDonnell.
The New River Gorge is integral to our country’s coal history. Since 1883, more than 21,000 West Virginia miners have died in accidents.
The West Virginia flower is the rhododendron and flourishes in the park. Often called the mountain laurel, the flower grows along ravines and shaded hillsides.
When You Go
Planning is key to visiting the New River Gorge National Park. Cell signals are weak if nonexistent. The roads are narrow and winding with infrequent opportunities to turn around. Download your maps in advance.
Beckley, WV is a large city with multiple hotel chains. Airbnbs and cabins are available throughout the park along the river and in Fayetteville.
Two local restaurants in Fayetteville are worth visiting. Pies and Pints original location offers their signature grape pizza which is truly drool worthy. The Secret Sandwich Society offers a wide range of original sandwiches with local flavor.