The Best One Day In New River Gorge In December.

Here’s what we’ve got to do in New River Gorge in December when visiting for a day:

– visited Canyon Rim Visitor Center

– walked the Canyon Rim Boardwalk

– Hiked the Endless Wall Trail and Long Point Trail (recommended by the ranger)

– drove the Fayette Station Road Driving tour

– lunch at the Cathedral Cafe in Fayetteville

– visited the Thurmond Historic District

Now, let’s go through the activities one by one.

One Day In New River Gorge In December

It snowed the night we arrived in Fayetteville. The temperature dropped to below 20°F (-6°C). It stayed at 18°F (7°C) when we left the hotel for the park in the morning. 

Surprisingly, we were not the only family in the park. It was cold, but it didn’t stop visitors from exploring the New River Gorge on the first day of winter.

Here is the breakdown of things to do in New River Gorge in December for a one-day visit:

– Visiting New River Gorge Canyon Rim Visitor Center

Canyon Rim Visitor Center is one of the park’s primary visitor centers. It opens every day, year-round, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

It is located at the New River Gorge Bridge, just north of Fayetteville.

I had some ideas of what to do in the park during our visit and discussed them with a park ranger.

After that, I looked around the visitor center. There’s an exhibit room filled with photographs and exhibits on the people, towns, and industry of the gorge. The other exhibits focus on recreation and natural history.    

You can also find books and souvenirs here.

Then, I watched the 11-minute video about New River Gorge National Park and Preserve before leaving the visitor center.

The Visitor Center is not pet-friendly. My husband waited in the car with our dog while I spent time inside with our son.

Address: 162 Visitor Center Road, Lansing, WV 25862.

– Walking to Canyon Rim Boardwalk

The Canyon Rim Boardwalk is an attraction you shouldn’t miss in the park.

It is an easy 0.1 miles/0.16 km walk (one-way) from the Visitor Center to the top overlook.

A fully accessible ramp provides access to the upper observation deck. 

Then, take the 178 steps that descend to the lower overlook. Watch out for ice when the snow covers the steps.

The Canyon Rim Boardwalk provides scenic views of the New River Gorge Bridge and the gorge.

It is dog-friendly.

– Hiking the Endless Wall Trail (recommended by the Park Ranger)

Dogs are welcome on all trails in New River Gorge, but they must be on a leash at all times.

The Endless Wall Trail is located north of the Canyon Rim Visitor Center on Lansing-Edmond Road, about a 5-minute drive.

It is a 2.4-mile moderate walk connecting Fern Creek Trailhead and Nuttall Trailhead.

You will arrive at Fern Creek Trailhead first. There is a small parking area and a vault toilet at the trailhead.

If the parking is full, don’t park on the road. It is a residential area, and the road is narrow. Your cars may get towed. You can drive further to the Nuttall Trailhead.

We started from Fern Creek and walked through Mountain Laurel Forest, crossed Fern Creek, and zigzagged along the cliff edge to the Diamond Point Overlook.

Watch out for roots after you cross the Fern Creek.

The views from Diamond Point were beautiful. We got to see the New River almost 1,000 feet below, the sandstone walls that gave the trail its name,  and the New River Gorge Bridge in the distance.

Then, we turned around towards the trailhead.

Diamond Point is a good turnaround spot, creating a popular two-mile out-and-back hike from the Fern Creek Trailhead parking area.

We saw a trail pointing to the rock climbing area. It was closed during our visit, but it is a popular spot for rock climbers in the summer. They come from all over the country and around the world to select from the 1,600 climbing routes in the park.

Fortunately, the trailhead was clear of snow. We didn’t have to wear our crampons.

– Driving the Fayette Station Road Driving Tour 

Fayette Station Road Tour is one of the most popular driving roads in the park. It was the only way to cross the gorge.

This 100-year-old road winds down to the bottom of New River Gorge, across a narrow bridge, and up the other side.

After the completion of the New River Gorge Bridge, travelers don’t use this road anymore. The park turned it into a scenic drive.

The starting point is less than a mile from Fern Creek Trailhead. You go back the way you came and make a left.

Fayette Station Road is an 8-mile one-way road and takes approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. The road is fully paved, except for the lower wooden bridge, known as the Tunney Hunsaker Bridge.

We stopped at several pullouts along the way to read information on the wayside exhibits. 

There’s a parking lot at the bottom. We parked and enjoyed the beautiful views of the river, the old bridge, and the New River Gorge Bridge from the bottom.

I walked across the bridge and asked my husband to drive slowly over it so I could take a video, just like the couple ahead of us. Haha.

You are not allowed to stop on the bridge, though.

After crossing the bridge, we drove straight to downtown Fayetteville for lunch.

– Lunch at Cathedral Cafe

I wanted to eat here because of its location in an old church with stained glass windows.

It sounded beautiful from what people wrote about it, and I agreed.

They served breakfast and light lunch. I enjoyed my Grilled Teriyaki Chicken & Cashew Salad, but my husband wasn’t impressed with their Chipotle Philly. My teenage son didn’t order anything.

I think Cathedral Cafe is not a place to go after outdoor activities, and if you are very hungry. It is too fancy for my teenage son. Haha.

I would like to go back, but not my husband and son.

Here’s their address if you want to check it out. 

Address: 134 S Court St., Fayetteville, West Virginia.

– Hiking the Long Point Trail (recommended by the Park Ranger)

I saw pictures of visitors standing at the end of the rock with the new bridge in the distance. They look impressive, and I wanted to go there.

Lucky me, the park ranger recommended hiking to that point if you only have one day to spend at New River Gorge National Park.

Long Point Trail is a 1.6-mile/1.29km (one-way) trail that lazily descends through the forest. Mountain bikes are permitted except on the last 0.2 miles of the trail. 

The last 0.2 miles is the steep section just before you arrive at the point. There’s a bike rack just before the steep section.

When I walked to the point, I realized that both sides of the rock outcropping were gorges. The farther I got to the point, the rock outcropping got narrower. My thighs started to tremble, but I didn’t want to turn around. I was already there, so I must make it.

There’s a couple at the point waiting for sunset. Sunset is the best time to see the gorge with the new bridge in the distance.

If you are afraid of heights, I recommend that you do another trail.

Long Point Trail is 2.3 miles from Cathedral Cafe, or about a 5-minute drive.

– Visiting Thurmond Historic District

Thurmond was one of the prime railroad towns along the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway in West Virginia. It was a classic coal boomtown in the early 1900s with banks, stores, saloons, hotels, and boarding houses overflowing the town. 

The town began a steady decline with the advancement of diesel locomotives and a decrease of coal coming in from the local mines. Businesses closed and residents moved out. 

If you’re interested in history, don’t skip the trip to Thurmond. 

Some of the buildings from yesteryears are still there to connect you to the past. The Thurmond Depot now operates as a Visitor Center in the summer. It is open daily from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. And on weekends in September and October.

We found out that Amtrak serves the train station. I’m not sure whether it still stops there or only stops whenever someone buys a ticket to Thurmond. Amtrak passed by when we were there.

There aren’t too many houses in Thurmond. We drove uphill across the rail and saw less than ten houses. One of them was an Airbnb.

My husband and I thought it would be a great getaway from our house near Fort Worth, Texas, to Thurmond. Take the Amtrak to Thurmond, stay in Airbnb, and hike or bike around Thurmond.

Thurmond Depot is 17.6 miles or a 31-minute drive from Long Point Trail. You will drive on a narrow, winding road, Route 25. It’s not recommended for RVs and trailers.          

Physical Address: 254 River Crest Road, Thurmond, WV 25936.

Thurmond was the last place we visited, as it turned dark when we left for the hotel.

On the way home to Texas, we spent another night at New River Gorge National Park.

We visited the iconic Glade Creek Grist Mill in Babcock State Park and Grandview Overlook, on the other side of New River Gorge National Park.

Find out more about the Best 2-Day New River Gorge Winter Itinerary.

New River Gorge in December Weather

The average high temperature is 43°F (6°C), and the low is 28°F (-2°C).

However, it was colder during our visit. It started at 18°F (-7°C) and stayed below 32°F (0°C) until we left the park in late afternoon. 

What to Wear When Visiting New River Gorge in December

We drove from Texas to Pittsburgh for Christmas with family and stopped at New River Gorge. So, we were ready for the weather.

I had an Avia thermal long-sleeve shirt and long johns leggings pants from Walmart for my first layer. Then I added a long-sleeve shirt before a winter jacket for my outer layer.  

I added Avia leggings pants to keep my legs warm.

For socks, I preferred ones with merino wool. My hiking shoes were a pair of Merrell Moab 3. As mentioned above, we didn’t need to wear our crampons.

I had a balaclava under my beanie hat to cover my face and ears when hiking. Then the gloves.

My husband and son were good with t-shirts under their hoodies. They had jeans for the bottom and hiking shoes with merino wool socks.

Both of them wore gloves. My husband also wore a balaclava while our son wore a beanie hat.

As for our dog, he wore his Christmas sweater from PetSmart. He didn’t want to wear his boots, and thankfully, he was fine without them.

Where to Stay in New River Gorge with Your Dog

We have traveled everywhere with our dog Snoopy since 2017.

For this trip to New River Gorge in December, my husband found Quality Inn New River Gorge in Fayetteville. It’s the closest hotel to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center.

The room comes with a complimentary hot breakfast, and the dog stays for $15 per night.

Quality Inn New River Gorge in Fayetteville is 3.4 miles or a 7-minute drive to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. Book the room now.

Things to Know Before Your Trip to New River Gorge in December

– There is no admission fee to New River Gorge National Park.

– Check out their website for winter hours and closures.

– Dress appropriately.

Here are other articles about visiting National Parks with a dog:

– One Day in Dog-Friendly Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio.

– 2 Days in Acadia National Park with a Dog (or Without).

– Fort Union National Monument Reviews: A Quick Visit in the Summer.