New River Gorge National River
| New River Gorge National River | |
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IUCN category II (national park)
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The New River Valley from Hawk's Nest State Park.
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| Location | Fayette, Raleigh, and Summers counties, West Virginia, United States |
| Nearest city | Beckley, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 37°57′39″N 81°4′54″W / 37.96083°N 81.08167°WCoordinates: 37°57′39″N 81°4′54″W / 37.96083°N 81.08167°W |
| Area | 72,808 acres (294.64 km2) |
| Established | 1978 |
| Visitors | 1,128,195 (in 2012) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | New River Gorge National River |
The New River Gorge National River is a unit of the United States National Park Service designed to protect and maintain the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia. Established in 1978, the NPS-protected area stretches for 53 miles (85 km) from just downstream of Hinton to Hawks Nest State Park near Ansted.
New River Gorge is also home to some of the country's best whitewater rafting. The focus of this rafting is in the New River Gorge from the Cunard put-in to the Fayette Station take-out. The river levels for the New River Gorge (and most other major whitewater rivers in the United States) can be checked at American Whitewater.
New River Gorge is also one of the most popular climbing areas on the east coast with over 1,400 established rock climbs. The cliffs at "The New" are located just below the rim of the gorge and are made up of a very hard Nuttall sandstone. The rock is very featured, and an abundance of crack and face routes, with occasional large roofs. Almost all climbs are one pitch long and range from 30 to 120 feet (37 m) in height. The majority of the routes in the gorge are for advanced climbers in 5.10-5.12 range of the Yosemite Decimal System with about an equal number of traditional and sport climbs.
New River Gorge National River was established in 1978 as a unit of the national park system. Located in the Appalachian Mountains of southern West Virginia, the park encompasses over 72,808 acres (295 km2) of land along 53 miles (85 km) of the New River from Bluestone Dam to Hawks Nest State Park. A rugged, white water river, flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The park is rich in cultural and natural history and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities.
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Wikipedia