America S Most Family Friendly Gorge Is New River Gorge In West Virginia

Did you hear that West Virginia has just earned yet another spot on a world travel list? Not only did we make it as a top world travel destination according to Lonely Planet, but now we’re also one of the ten best places to visit with kids, according to Family Vacationist. And we couldn’t agree more.

Numbering ahead of places like Orlando, Santa Monica, Boston, New Orleans, Denali, Boise, and San Juan (Puerto Rico), West Virginia slipped in third on the list, behind Playa Del Carmen (Mexico) and Aruba. Specifically, Family Vacationist is sending families with kids to the New River Gorge National Park.

EntropyWorkshop / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images What makes this area such a great destination for travelers? Well, according to Family Vacationist…

… it’s still an under-the-radar National Park. Since the New River Gorge hasn’t been a national park for long, it’s still relatively quiet and undiscovered, at least by comparison in the National Park System.

Dee / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

… there are a wide variety of activity options for all ages and interests, from fishing to bird and salamander watching to whitewater rafting to ziplining to bridge walking.

Harrison Shull / Getty Images

… there are several family-friendly accommodation options, including Tru by Hilton in nearby Beckley and the Adventures On The Gorge Resort right on the rim of the New River Gorge.

Adventures On The Gorge / Facebook

We’ll add to that list a few family-friendly attractions of our own, including the New River Gorge National Park Visitors Centers, many of which include interesting mini-museums and beautiful overlooks.

NPS

We’ll add the many hiking trails that crisscross the New River Gorge’s steep slopes, including to the ghost town of Nuttallburg.

Tim Pennington / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

We’ll add that all the trails in the New River Gorge National Park are pet-friendly.

Harrison Shull / Getty Images

We’ll add an incredibly scenic mountain waterfall or two into the mix, including Sandstone and Dunlop Falls.

John_Brueske / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

We’ll add an old, almost abandoned coal town named Thurmond.

SawyerImages / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

Here’s our ultimate guide to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve that you’ll want to check out if you decide to visit. And here’s the New River Gorge National Park website. Have you explored the New River Gorge with your family before? What other family-friendly attractions would you add to this list?

EntropyWorkshop / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

What makes this area such a great destination for travelers? Well, according to Family Vacationist…

Dee / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

Harrison Shull / Getty Images

Adventures On The Gorge / Facebook

NPS

Tim Pennington / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

John_Brueske / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

SawyerImages / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, 162 Visitor Center Rd, Lansing, WV 25862, USA