With a front row seat to the New River Gorge and the Bridge, Canyon Rim Visitor Center is a must-see when you're visiting the New River Gorge National River. Located just on the North side of the New River Gorge Bridge, the center sees an estimated 300,000 people every year. The Center provides information about the recreational, natural, cultural and historical values of the park. There is a staff of interpretive rangers that man the center and provide information about the park and its resources. And bonus: it provides a couple of the nicest views of the Gorge and the Bridge from multiple overlooks.

Let's take a little deeper look at what this center means to the Park and its visitors.

Inside the Center

The building itself houses a great mini-museum with photographs and exhibits collected from the people, towns and coal industry that inhabited the Gorge for so many years. Other displays focus on the natural history of the area. There is an auditorium that runs two permanent videos, and special features and programs rotate through from time to time.

There is also a gift shop that sells publications specific to the park and surrounding area. They have a great selection of books on the natural and cultural history of the area.  There are plenty of fun items for the kids.  And, you'll find plenty of books on recreation and maps to help you navigate the New River Gorge.

Outside and Beyond

In addition to the great overlooks at Canyon Rim, the Park Service plays host to a number of events and activities throughout the year. Many of these events are based out of Canyon Rim or take place on the property. Guided, informative nature hikes, birding sessions, wildflower walks and many events geared specifically towards children are offered throughout the year.

Coming up in the next few months at Canyon Rim:

• Earth Day Celebration, April 21st. The NPS will have a booth set up in Fayetteville as part of the Earth Day celebration in town.
• Wildflower Weekend, April 27-29. Several programs and hikes at different locations in and around the park will be offered focusing on the spring wildflowers of the Gorge.
• Water Safety Weekend, May 26-28. With summer just around the corner, the NPS will conduct programs dealing directly with safety while in or around the water.

And many more events will be scheduled soon at Canyon Rim..  Visit the Center's website to check the calendar periodically for updates, or call 304-574-2115 for more information.

The New River Gorge is an amazing place and has so much to see (and do!). Make sure you're taking advantage of all the Gorge has to offer. Canyon Rim Visitor Center is a great place to start.