Fayette Station Road Scenic Drive in December: What You Need to Know

December may not be the first month that comes to mind when planning a visit to New River Gorge. Winter temperatures can be bitterly cold, and snow and ice are always possible. But when road conditions are safe, Fayette Station Road offers a unique way to experience the gorge, often with fewer visitors than during the warmer months.

When visiting New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in West Virginia, don’t miss the Fayette Station Road Scenic Drive. The road winds down into the gorge, offering beautiful scenery while also taking you through an important part of the area’s history.

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People have crossed the New River here for centuries. Along the route, you can learn about the area’s early settlements, Civil War history, coal-mining era, and the communities that once lined the gorge.

Fayette Station Road was once one of the main routes across the northern New River Gorge. It remained an important crossing until the New River Gorge Bridge was completed in 1977.

Driving the road in winter requires a little more preparation. Before you start, check the current road conditions with a park ranger and make sure your vehicle is suitable for the narrow, winding route.

So, what should you know before driving Fayette Station Road in December? Here are the quick answers to the most common questions, followed by everything you need to know to make the most of the scenic drive.

Quick Facts About Fayette Station Road Scenic Drive

Is Fayette Station Road open in December?

Fayette Station Road is open year-round, although the National Park Service may close the road temporarily because of hazardous weather or road conditions.

If you are visiting in winter, check with a park ranger before starting the drive.

Where does Fayette Station Road start and end?

The scenic drive begins near the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and ends at US-19 near Fayetteville.

How long does it take to drive Fayette Station Road?

The drive itself takes about 30 to 45 minutes without extended stops. However, plan for 1 to 2 hours if you want to stop for photos, explore the historical sites, enjoy the views, or take short walks along the route.

Is Fayette Station Road one-way?

Yes. Fayette Station Road is an approximately 8-mile, one-way scenic route through the New River Gorge.

Fayette Station Road Scenic Drive in December: What You Need to Know

1. Start at Canyon Rim Visitor Center

Before starting the drive, stop at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and ask a park ranger about current road conditions.

This is especially important in December when snow and ice can affect driving conditions.

It was snowing the night we arrived in the area, but there was no accumulation on the road when we visited. We asked a park ranger about the conditions, and we were told that the road was safe to drive.

The visitor center is also worth exploring before you start your drive. Go through the exhibit room and watch the 11-minute video about New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.

Then, take the boardwalk to the two observation decks overlooking the New River Gorge. The upper observation deck is fully accessible. If you are comfortable with stairs and walking, I recommend continuing to the lower observation deck for a better view of the New River Gorge Bridge and the gorge.

2. Check the Weather and Dress for Winter Conditions

December can be very cold in the New River Gorge.

The temperature was 16°F when we left our hotel in Fayetteville. It slowly climbed into the mid-20s during our drive.

It was definitely a chilly excursion, but we still had a great time exploring the gorge.

If you plan to combine the scenic drive with hiking, dress in layers and prepare for winter conditions. I wore thermal underwear underneath my clothes because we had several hikes planned for the day.

Bring a warm jacket, gloves, a hat, and sturdy shoes or hiking boots. Even if the roads are clear, trails and shaded areas can remain icy or slippery.

3. Pay Attention to the Driving Advisory

Fayette Station Road is not suitable for every vehicle.

Because of a low-clearance railroad bridge, vehicles over 12 feet in height cannot complete the tour. Trailers may also have difficulty navigating the railroad tracks and the tight hairpin curves.

Large vehicles, RVs, and trailers are not recommended.

If you are unsure whether your vehicle is suitable for the scenic drive, ask a park ranger at the visitor center before starting.

This is particularly important if you are visiting New River Gorge National Park & Preserve with a large vehicle or trailer.

4. Follow the Drive Directions Carefully

Pay close attention to the signs when entering Fayette Station Road. It can be easy to take a wrong turn.

After turning right onto Lansing-Edmond Road/Truck 82 from US-19, you will make another right in about 0.4 miles. Look for the brown National Park Service sign for Fayette Station Road.

At the fork, bear left and uphill to continue onto Fayette Station Road.

We initially continued straight and quickly realized that we had made a mistake.

After passing under the bridge, the road reaches a T-intersection. Turn left to continue on Fayette Station Road.

Do not turn right onto Burma Road.

Because the road is narrow and winding, take your time and follow the signs carefully.

5. Hiking Trails Along Fayette Station Road Scenic Drive

Several hiking opportunities are located along or near the Fayette Station Road area, including Kaymoor Trail, Fayetteville Trail, and Bridge Trail.

Whether you have time for a hike depends on your itinerary, the weather, and available parking.

We did not hike these trails because of time and parking limitations. Instead, we hiked Endless Wall Trail before starting the Fayette Station Road drive. It is about a mile farther from the beginning of the scenic drive.

After lunch at The Cathedral Café in Fayetteville, we also hiked Long Point Trail.

I already had several trails in mind before our visit. After discussing our options with the park ranger, we decided on these two hikes.

If you are visiting in December, keep in mind that winter daylight hours are shorter. Plan your hikes accordingly so you are not finishing a trail after dark.

6. Look for Waterfalls Along the Route

Wolf Creek Falls can be accessed from the Kaymoor Trail area.

There is a small parking area near the trail, but parking can be limited. When we visited, the parking lot was full, and it appeared to accommodate only two or three vehicles.

Because of the limited parking, we did not get to hike to the waterfall.

If seeing the waterfall is important to you, consider arriving early and having a backup plan in case parking is unavailable.

7. Stop Under the New River Gorge Bridge

One of the highlights of the Fayette Station Road Scenic Drive is getting underneath the New River Gorge Bridge.

There are informational signs and displays explaining the history of the bridge, but for me, simply standing underneath this massive structure was the most memorable part.

The New River Gorge Bridge is an impressive sight from below. Its steel arch spans the gorge high above you, giving you a completely different perspective than the views from the Canyon Rim.

The bridge has a total height of 876 feet above the New River and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in West Virginia.

8. Cross the Reconstructed Fayette Station Bridge

When you reach river level, stop and explore the area near the reconstructed Fayette Station Bridge.

There are places where you can get out, walk around, and take photographs of the New River and the New River Gorge Bridge from below.

I particularly liked the combination of the bridge, river, and railroad tracks in the scenery. The view from the bottom of the gorge gives you a completely different perspective of the bridge.

The reconstructed Fayette Station Bridge reopened in 1998 as the Tunney Hunsaker Bridge. Vehicles cannot stop on the bridge, but there is a pedestrian crossing where you can walk and enjoy the views.

We somehow missed seeing the remnants of the former towns of Fayette and South Fayette, so keep an eye out for the historical features along the route.

9. Download the Fayette Station Road Audio Tour

If you want to learn more about the history of Fayette Station Road, consider using the audio tour available through the NPS Mobile App.

The tour provides additional information about the road and the communities that once existed in the New River Gorge.

The gorge was once home to numerous coal-mining communities. As you drive the route, it is interesting to imagine what the area looked like when coal mining was a major part of the region’s economy.

The audio tour can add more historical context to what you see along the drive.

Driving Directions for Fayette Station Road Scenic Drive

From the Canyon Rim Visitor Center parking lot, head toward US-19 and turn right to go north on US-19.

After approximately 0.3 miles, turn right onto Lansing-Edmond Road/Truck 82.

Continue for about 0.4 miles, then turn right again. Look for the brown park sign for Fayette Station Road.

At the fork, bear left and uphill to continue onto Fayette Station Road. From this point, the road becomes one-way.

The route continues down the side of the gorge toward the New River. Along the way, you will pass underneath the New River Gorge Bridge and eventually reach river level.

At the bottom of the gorge, you will cross the reconstructed Fayette Station Bridge, also known as the Tunney Hunsaker Bridge.

From the river, the road winds back up the opposite side of the gorge before ending at US-19 near Fayetteville, approximately two miles south of the Canyon Rim Visitor Center.