WWingAwayWEEKENDSFly to lunchDestination guide 88
West Virginia · Couples · Two nights

New River Gorge

A national park gorge, a famous bridge and whitewater.

New River Gorge became a national park in 2020, and it is one of the East’s great outdoor weekends. Walk the catwalk beneath the New River Gorge Bridge, raft some of the country’s best whitewater, hike to Long Point for the classic bridge view, see the Glade Creek Grist Mill and eat pizza in the little town of Fayetteville.

National parkWhitewaterCabins
See the weekend itineraryFlight & arrival details
The New River Gorge Bridge arching over the gorge in fall color
The New River Gorge Bridge
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KBKW
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~269 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~2 hr 02 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental car

Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.

01 / Aviation & getting around

Land at Beckley.

KBKW, Raleigh County Memorial Airport, sits on a plateau at about 2,500 feet, about 30 minutes from Fayetteville and the bridge.

The FBO

Raleigh County Memorial Airport

Raleigh County Memorial Airport, Beaver, WV

304-255-0476

Confirm FBO hours, fees and rental cars. No live fuel price is shown.

Mountain terrain: check ceilings, density altitude and ridge winds. About 270 nm from Myrtle Beach.

02 / Where to stay

A cabin by the gorge.

Rates and availability need travel dates. Bridge Day weekend books far ahead.

03 / Where to eat

Pizza, sandwiches and a café in a church.

Small-town hours; check before you go.

04 / Things to do

The bridge, the river and the rim.

Pick one big adventure a day.

01

Bridge Walk

A guided walk on the catwalk 850 feet above the river.

Bridge Walk
02

Whitewater rafting

Gentle upper New or big-water lower New and the Gauley in fall.

Rafting
03

New River Gorge National Park

Long Point Trail, the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and overlooks.

Park
04

Babcock State Park

The much-photographed Glade Creek Grist Mill.

Babcock
05 / What’s happening

Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.

This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.

October

Fall color

Peak foliage in the gorge.

Concerts, festivals & local happenings

Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.

Browse New River Gorge events
06 / Suggested itinerary

Friday in. Sunday home.

A sample weekend: the bridge, a raft and a hike. No bookings or availability confirmed.

DAY 1

Arrive & the rim

  1. Arrival

    Land at KBKW, subject to weather and your actual flight plan.

  2. Afternoon

    The Canyon Rim Visitor Center and overlook.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at Pies & Pints.

DAY 2

Raft or walk the bridge

  1. Morning

    Rafting on the New River, or the Bridge Walk.

  2. Afternoon

    Hike Long Point Trail.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at the resort.

DAY 3

Grist mill & home

  1. Morning

    Babcock State Park.

  2. Before leaving

    Allow time at the airport.

  3. Fly home

    Mountain weather changes fast; leave early.

07 / Good to know

Keep the weekend easy to change.

These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.

Book in this order

Lodging first, then rafting or the Bridge Walk.

Mountain flying

Check ceilings and winds over the ridges.

Whitewater

Trip difficulty varies widely; pick the right section.

Best seasons

May to October.

Reviewed · Destination 88

Reviewed November 4, 2026.

Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking.

WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.