At-Risk Land Secured on Rim of New River Gorge National Park

Why the Rim of the New River Gorge Matters

The forests along the gorge’s rim frame the views that make New River Gorge National Park unforgettable. The newly protected land overlooks the New River and is part of the view from the park’s Sandstone Visitor Center, the southern gateway where many visitors start their trip. Keeping these slopes forested protects the scenery that draws people here and the wild landscape around one of the oldest rivers in North America.

The newly protected land also opens the door to future public access and recreation. New River Gorge is both a national park and a national preserve, which keeps hunting part of the gorge’s heritage. Adding this land helps make sure hunters, hikers, anglers, and families all have room to enjoy the gorge for years to come.

The park also powers southern West Virginia’s economy. In 2024, New River Gorge and two neighboring national park sites welcomed more than 2 million visitors, who spent more than $108 million in nearby communities.

Building a More Connected National Park

Every parcel protected inside New River Gorge makes the park more whole for visitors, wildlife, and nearby communities. This latest project adds to The Conservation Fund’s work in in the park. In 2021, we secured another parcel of at-risk land, the 963-acre Irish Mountain property, which was later transferred to the National Park Service for permanent protection.

Both projects were supported by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which puts a small portion of offshore energy revenues, not taxpayer dollars, into conservation and outdoor recreation nationwide.