West Virginia's Gateway To New River Gorge National Park Offers Tons Of Scenic Recreation

You might've heard that West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park is more dangerous than meets the eye, but it's also more beautiful than you can imagine. Full of hiking trails, waterfalls, and old-growth forests, this park is so stunning that it earned a spot on Time's 2021 list of the "World's Greatest Places." To fully immerse yourself in this one-of-a-kind destination, you can even camp within the park. However, for a trip that blends natural beauty with modern comfort, you may instead want to stay in the New River Gorge gateway town of Fayetteville.

Once named the "best river town" by Blue Ridge Outdoors, Fayetteville lies along the banks of the New River, aka the waterway that gives the park its name. Covering just 5.8 square miles, this community of under 3,000 people may seem unassuming at first glance. Unless you're a sporty adventurer who knows the area for its renowned rafting opportunities, you may not have even heard of Fayetteville before. It might be time to change that, though — especially if you're a traveler with an appreciation for the most beautiful places in America.

Located in the Greenbrier Valley region (home to one of North America's biggest cave systems), Fayetteville is surrounded by a staggering number of natural wonders and hosts enough outfitters and facilities to make enjoying those landmarks as easy as possible. Outdoorsy excursions are just part of the town's charm, though. When you need to fill the downtime in between wilderness adventures, Fayetteville has you covered with an incredible collection of restaurants, cafes, historic sites, boutiques, and places to stay. Conveniently situated along the route for this picturesque road trip through West Virginia's most adorable small towns, it's also an easy spot to schedule into a longer Appalachian sightseeing itinerary.

On the outskirts of Fayetteville, where the New River cuts its way through the hills, you'll find the famous New River Gorge Bridge. If you're willing to brave the bridge's catwalk, there are few better ways to start your sightseeing journey through the region. Of course, for those who would rather not test their fear of heights on the third-highest bridge in America, there are plenty of other scenic outdoor recreation opportunities available. In fact, Fayetteville's offerings range from laidback, family-friendly parks and campgrounds to challenging, high-energy mountain biking and rafting routes.

Ease into the action with a hike along Long Point Trail. You'll find the trailhead right between Arrowhead Bike Farm and Campground (a charming property with an on-site kitchen, mountain biking school, and adorable goats) and the headquarters for The West Virginia Experience (an outfitter that organizes local fishing trips). At roughly 3 miles long, this outing will be relatively easy and take up to an hour and a half for experienced hikers to tackle. That said, beginners who like to wander at a leisurely pace should budget more time to complete the route. Along the way, be prepared for sheer cliffs and areas with steep terrain. Mountain bikers are also welcome here, though they'll need to avoid the last quarter-mile or so of the trail. No matter how you traverse Long Point Trail, look forward to enchanting views of the forested hills around the New River Gorge Bridge.

Prefer to sightsee from the water rather than on land? Book a rafting trip with one of Fayetteville's local tour guides. Between spring and early fall, several outfitters in the area offer Lower New River whitewater rafting excursions over exhilarating Class III-IV rapids. Top sights along this route include Jump Rock, a popular spot to stop for a swim.

When you're not busy hiking, rafting, mountain biking, fishing, rock climbing, or taking in breathtaking bucket list views, take advantage of Fayetteville's best restaurants and hotels to keep yourself energized for hours of outdoor adventure. In between the town's top coffee shops, bakeries, and inns, you may even find some adorable gift stores and vintage boutiques that catch your eye.

But first, coffee. Start your day off with a caffeine kick by visiting one of the most popular restaurants in Fayetteville — Cathedral Cafe. Located in a 1900s-era church with dramatic stained glass windows, Cathedral Cafe serves up homemade desserts, breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and seasonal treats like hot caramel apple cider. Later in the day, get something a little heartier at Secret Sandwich Society. Another local favorite, this restaurant has something for everyone (including vegetarian and gluten-free customers). You can even enjoy a tasty cocktail or glass of wine here.

After a delicious meal and day full of fun, get a good night's rest at one of Fayetteville's hotels, cabins, inns, or campgrounds. While those who prefer sticking to reliable chains will find a Quality Inn here, there are other options for travelers curious to experience more of this town's unique charm. If you want to stay in the heart of historic Fayetteville, the Historic Morris Harvey House Inn is an excellent choice. The gorgeously decorated accommodations there start at just $179 a night. To elevate your stay even further, stop by the atmospheric Rosa's Speakeasy, open Thursday through Sunday. Need more space during your vacation? Tons of rentals, including cute cabins and cottages, are available in and around Fayetteville. For the best of the cabin and camping worlds, try The Outpost. This well-reviewed local campground provides both premium and rustic cabins, plus RV and tent camping sites. If you want a really unique stay, book the property's vintage camper site.