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RideJoy
sun rising over the New River Gorge
Gary Hartley

Information

Church Loop Trail Closure

The Church Loop Trail in the Thurmond area of the park is temporarily closed due to downed trees.

Information

Kaymoor Miners Trail Closure

From June 15 through November 19 the upper part of the Kaymoor Miners Trail (from Kaymoor Top down to the mine site at the junction with the Kaymoor Trail) will be closed Monday through Thursday due to a trail rehab project. The trail is expected to be fully open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

National Park & PreserveHorse trailsHorses provided

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

WV · Glen Jean

A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities.

Riding guide

Horses provided

Highlights

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects more than 70,000 acres of rugged Appalachian forest, deep river…

Riding

Rideable terrain here is noted as 6 miles, giving riders a clearer sense of scale before they ever unload. For equestrians, the park offers a quieter and more primitive riding experience compared with many national parks. Horseback access is limited to a small number of designated routes, but these trails pass through dense hardwood forests, historic mining corridors, and scenic river valleys that reflect the region’s rich natural and cultural history.

Rideable terrain

6 miles

Trailer parking

Brooklyn Miners Trailhead Location: Brooklyn Road area near Fayetteville on the north end of the park. Why riders use it Primary staging area for the Brooklyn Miners Trail, one of the few trails in the park open to horses Gravel parking area that can accommodate horse trailers Direct access to a historic mining road that descends into the New River Gorge One of the most reliable equestrian access points within the park. Bluestone Turnpike Trailhead Location: Bluestone National Scenic River unit near Pipestem in southern West Virginia. Why riders use it Main access point for the Bluestone Turnpike Trail, which allows horseback riding Large trailhead area with room for trailers Historic river corridor route following an old wagon road Scenic riding along the Bluestone River. Grandview Area Parking (Limited Trailer Use) Location: Grandview area near Beaver, West Virginia. Why riders use it Occasionally used by riders staging outside the main park road system Large visitor parking areas that can sometimes accommodate trailers Convenient access to nearby public lands and regional trail systems. Important Note for Riders Equestrian access within New River Gorge is very limited compared to many national parks. Only a small number of trails allow horseback riding, and most staging occurs at the trailheads listed above. Riders should confirm access and parking conditions before arriving, especially if traveling with large trailers.

Horse regulations

Horseback riding at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is permitted on a limited number of designated trails and is managed to protect the park’s steep forested terrain, historic mining corridors, and river ecosystems. Equestrian use is restricted to specific routes within the park system, and riders should review park guidelines before visiting since most hiking trails and developed areas are closed to horses. However, several core regulations and best practices apply for riders in the park. Riding Is Only Allowed on Designated Trails Horses are permitted only on specific routes designated for equestrian use. These include the Brooklyn Miners Trail within the New River Gorge unit and the Bluestone Turnpike Trail within the nearby Bluestone National Scenic River unit managed with the park. Riding on other park trails, hiking paths, or developed visitor areas is prohibited. Stock Control and Trail Courtesy Riders are expected to: Maintain control of horses at all times Ride single file where trails are narrow Yield appropriately to hikers and other trail users Avoid damaging vegetation or creating new trails Trail Conditions and Surface Protection The park’s trails pass through steep Appalachian terrain and sensitive forest soils. Riders should avoid using equestrian trails during extremely wet conditions to prevent trail damage and erosion. Feed and Invasive Species Control To help protect native ecosystems within the park, riders should bring: Certified weed-free hay or feed Clean trailers, tack, and hooves before entering riding areas These practices help prevent the spread of invasive plant species. Camping With Horses Horse camping facilities are not provided within the park. Riders planning multi-day trips with horses should arrange accommodations outside the park and return for day rides on the designated equestrian trails. Equine Health Documentation Horses entering the park should comply with applicable state and federal livestock health regulations. Riders may be required to present proof of a current negative Coggins test if requested by park authorities.

Getting here

Use 104 Main Street, Glen Jean, West Virginia as your primary planning reference before you haul in. Brooklyn Miners Trailhead Location: Brooklyn Road area near Fayetteville on the north end of the park. Why riders use it Primary staging area for the Brooklyn Miners Trail, one of the few trails in the park open to horses Gravel parking area that can accommodate horse trailers Direct access to a historic mining road that descends into the New River Gorge One of the most reliable equestrian access points within the park. Bluestone Turnpike Trailhead Location: Bluestone National Scenic River unit near Pipestem in southern West Virginia. Why riders use it Main access point for the Bluestone Turnpike Trail, which allows horseback riding Large trailhead area with room for trailers Historic river corridor route following an old wagon road Scenic riding along the Bluestone River. Grandview Area Parking (Limited Trailer Use) Location: Grandview area near Beaver, West Virginia. Why riders use it Occasionally used by riders staging outside the main park road system Large visitor parking areas that can sometimes accommodate trailers Convenient access to nearby public lands and regional trail systems. Important Note for Riders Equestrian access within New River Gorge is very limited compared to many national parks. Only a small number of trails allow horseback riding, and most staging occurs at the trailheads listed above. Riders should confirm access and parking conditions before arriving, especially if traveling with large trailers.

Planning your visit

Riding at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve can be a rewarding experience, but equestrian access is limited and requires some planning. Riders should understand the park’s terrain, trail restrictions, and staging logistics before arriving. Limited Equestrian Trail Access Only two trails within the park system allow horseback riding: the Brooklyn Miners Trail and the Bluestone Turnpike Trail (in the nearby Bluestone unit). The vast majority of trails within New River Gorge are closed to horses, so riders should plan their outing around these designated routes. Trailer Parking Is Limited Horse trailer staging areas inside the park are limited and relatively small. The Brooklyn Miners Trailhead and Bluestone Turnpike Trailhead are the primary places riders stage trailers. Large rigs should plan carefully, as some access roads are narrow and winding. Steep Terrain and Narrow Roads New River Gorge is known for its steep Appalachian terrain and winding access roads. Riders hauling trailers should expect sharp turns, narrow roads, and elevation changes when traveling to trailheads. Weather Can Impact Trail Conditions The park receives frequent rain, and forest soils can become muddy and slick. Riding during very wet conditions can damage trails and make travel difficult for horses. No Horse Camping in the Park Equestrian camping facilities are not available within the park. Riders planning multi-day trips should arrange horse accommodations at nearby campgrounds, private farms, or equestrian facilities outside the park. Permits and Fees Most day riding within the park does not require a permit or entrance fee, but riders must follow all park regulations and stay on designated equestrian routes. Organized events or commercial guiding operations may require special use permits. Limited Services Near Trailheads Most equestrian access points within the park are undeveloped trailheads without water, hitching rails, or horse facilities. Riders should bring everything needed for the ride, including water for horses and riders. RideJoy Planning Level Light to moderate planning required New River Gorge offers beautiful forest riding and historic trail corridors, but the small equestrian trail network and rugged Appalachian terrain mean riders should plan their route and staging location ahead of time.

Where to stay

New River Gorge National Park and Reserve Headquarters is the main visitor-contact point tied to this destination, which is helpful when you want current conditions, maps, and stock-use updates before riding. Guided or concession-based riding support is noted here, so riders who are not hauling their own horses may still find an access path into the experience. For a polished trip plan, pair the ride with lodging, fuel, and resupply planning in or near Glen Jean before heading deeper into federal-land access points.

Park map

Trails

No trails synced for this park yet.

Campgrounds

Points of interest

Things to do

Visitor centers

Webcams

Hours of operation

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

The park itself is open 24 hour a day, year round. The park's two main visitor centers at Canyon Rim and Sandstone are open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day). There are two seasonal Visitor Centers located in Thurmond and Grandview. They are typically open Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Mon

All Day

Tue

All Day

Wed

All Day

Thu

All Day

Fri

All Day

Sat

All Day

Sun

All Day

Activities

Arts and CultureTheaterAuto and ATVScenic DrivingAstronomyBikingMountain BikingRoad BikingBoatingCampingBackcountry CampingCanoe or Kayak CampingCar or Front Country CampingGroup CampingRV CampingClimbingRock ClimbingFishingFreshwater FishingFly FishingFoodPicnickingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingSelf-Guided Tours - AutoHikingBackcountry HikingFront-Country HikingHorse TrekkingHorseback RidingHunting and GatheringHuntingPaddlingCanoeingCanoe or Kayak CampingKayakingStand Up PaddleboardingWhitewater RaftingJunior Ranger ProgramPlaygroundWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmMuseum ExhibitsShoppingBookstore and Park Store

Weather

Weather in the Appalachian Mountains can be unpredictable and can change quickly. Always be prepared for the possibility of sudden storms. Weather in the mountains is often cooler and wetter than the surrounding area. On average, the warmest month is July. The maximum average precipitation also occurs in July.

Contact

Voice304-465-0508
Emailneri_interpretation@nps.gov

Photos

Stay near this park

No horse-friendly stays listed near New River Gorge National Park & Preserve yet. Know a great barn or property? Help fellow riders by listing it.

List your property

Directions

To reach Park Headquarters take Route 19 North from Beckley to the Glen Jean exit. Upon exiting Rt 19, make an immediate left turn. At the next intersection, turn right. Park Headquarters will be straight ahead on the right. GPS Coordinates for Headquarters: 81.15587W, 37.92775N PLEASE NOTE: Third party search and map apps may direct you to an potentially inaccessible area of the park with no amenities or rangers stations. Please refer to the Visitor Center or Park Headquarters addresses for directions.

Get directionsOfficial directions

Source: nps.gov