Sunday, March 27, 2022

Sandstone Visitor Center - New River Gorge National Park and Preserve


Following the fall colors south from our visit to Cape Cod, we stopped at what is, as of this writing, America's newest national park, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. As is our custom, our first stop was at a visitor center. The Sandstone Visitor Center is open daily from April 1 through October 31 and on weekends from November through March. Hours of operation are 9 AM to 5 PM. 

The visitor center is located immediately north of the Interstate 64 interchange with County Route 7 at exit 139. For eastbound motorists on I-64, turn right at the end of the exit ramp and drive 0.3 miles, passing under the Interstate, to the visitor center driveway on the right. For westbound motorists on I-64, turn right at the end of the exit ramp and drive 0.1 miles to the visitor center driveway on the right. Paved parking at the visitor center includes three handicap-accessible spots, two or more RV/bus spots, and more than 50 spots for standard automobiles.

Opened in 2003, the visitor center has most of the usual amenities, including an information desk, exhibits about the park, restrooms in an adjacent building, and a theater for watching a 12-minute video. However, the COVID-19 protocols then in place meant that the theater was closed during our October 2021 visit.

Red maple tree at the end of the visitor center

Native grasses

Visitor Center entrance

Geology exhibits

Information desk

Floor map

Tactile exhibits

More exhibits

One section of the bookstore

Another section of the bookstore

There is no entrance fee at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve website is https://www.nps.gov/neri/index.htm.

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