SeasonMapWhat's on in New River Gorge National Park, United States through the year
New River Gorge National Park, United States has 5 curated events through the year — 1 festival, 2 natural spectacles and 2 seasons. The ones to plan around: Bridge Day (October) and Rhododendron bloom (June). September to November are its peak-crowd months.
Updated September 2026 · every event curated and sourced · dates for 2026 where they are announced, the usual window where they are not
Best time to visit New River Gorge National Park: weather, crowds and notes →
New River Gorge National Park events and crowds by month
January in New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge National Park weather in January →Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in January.
Still on: Winter shutdown (15 Nov – 15 Mar)
February in New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge National Park weather in February →Quiet — one of its worst months for weather
Nothing new starts in February.
Still on: Winter shutdown (15 Nov – 15 Mar)
March in New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge National Park weather in March →Busy — Spring break in United States
Nothing new starts in March.
Still on: Winter shutdown (15 Nov – 15 Mar)
April in New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge National Park weather in April →Busy — one of its best months for weather
Nothing new starts in April.
May in New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge National Park weather in May →Shoulder season — an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in May.
June in New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge National Park weather in June →Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
- Nature
Rhododendron bloom
5 Jun – 5 Jul · usuallyWildflowers & bloomsGreat rhododendron covers the gorge walls and flowers along the rim trails and the old Fayette Station road for about a month in early summer. Lower down the river it goes over first.
July in New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge National Park weather in July →Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in July.
Still on: Rhododendron bloom (5 Jun – 5 Jul (usually))
August in New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge National Park weather in August →Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in August.
September in New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge National Park weather in September →Peak crowds — Gauley release season, Summer break in United States
- Season
Gauley release season
8 Sep – 20 Oct · usuallyHigh waterCrowdedBook earlySix weekends of controlled releases from Summersville Dam turn the Gauley into the hardest commercial whitewater in the east, and every outfitter in Fayette County books out. The New itself runs low and warm at the same time. Source ↗
October in New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge National Park weather in October →Peak crowds — Gauley release season, Fall foliage
- Nature
Fall foliage
5 Oct – 1 Nov · usuallyAutumn colourCrowdedThe gorge turns through the middle of October, and the overlooks at Grandview and Long Point fill on the weekends. Colour on the rim runs a week ahead of the river.
- Festival
Bridge Day
17 OctMajor festivalCrowdedClosuresThe third Saturday in October, when US-19 shuts and BASE jumpers step off the New River Gorge Bridge for six hours. It is the one day of the year the deck is open to walk, and the queue for the shuttle is long. Source ↗
Still on: Gauley release season (8 Sep – 20 Oct (usually))
November in New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge National Park weather in November →Peak crowds — Fall foliage, Thanksgiving break in United States
- Season
Winter shutdown
15 Nov – 15 MarOff-season shutdownClosuresThe rafting companies, the zip lines and most of Fayetteville's kitchens close between seasons. The climbing on the sandstone is at its best in the cold, and the trails are empty.
Still on: Fall foliage (5 Oct – 1 Nov (usually))
December in New River Gorge National Park
New River Gorge National Park weather in December →Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in December.
Still on: Winter shutdown (15 Nov – 15 Mar)