Top 5 Things to Do in New River Gorge

Are you looking for the ultimate adventure opportunity in the Appalachian Mountains in one of the most underrated destinations in the country? Welcome to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the newest National Park in the United States, and home to one of the oldest rivers in the world (despite its misleading name).

New River Gorge is located in wild and wonderful West Virginia, and is home to some of the most unexpected landscapes on the eastern side of the country. When you picture West Virginia, you might not picture rushing class five rapids, towering sandstone cliffs, and a multitude of waterfalls and wildlife, but you’ll find all of that and more in New River Gorge National Park.

I had the privilege of working as an Assistant Climbing Guide in the park during the summer of 2022, which means I got to spend all of my free time climbing, exploring, and enjoying unexpectedly wild West Virginia. Here are the top 5 things you should make sure you do during your trip to New River Gorge.

Know Before You Go

There are a couple things you should know ahead of your visit to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. This is all my advice for navigating this park for the first time.

The weather in New River Gorge is unpredictable. Always assume it’s going to rain even if the weather isn’t calling for it. This is considered a rainforest, and showers can come quickly and come down hard. That being said though, summer is absolutely the wet season when it comes to rain. If you’re a rock climber looking for the driest time of the year to visit, we call Fall “send season” for a reason.

Dogs are allowed pretty much everywhere in New River Gorge as long as they’re kept on a leash. Feel free to bring well behaved dogs with you on trails, to the crag, or to picnic areas, and always make sure you have an extra poop bag on you so we can keep our wild spaces wild.

New River Gorge is not your classic National Park where you’ll enter through an entrance station and be within the park the rest of your time. New River Gorge is a park that’s interspersed with neighborhoods, Highway 19, and the adorable town of Fayetteville. The official National Park boundaries are the quarter mile of space surrounding the New River itself. Everything else is still considered “The Gorge” though, and is just as worth checking out while you’re there.

Go Whitewater Rafting

Since New River Gorge National Park is known for the New River, you can’t skip out on going whitewater rafting during your time here. You’ll want to book a trip with one of the local outfitters and the most popular company to raft with is Ace Adventure Resort, although you can’t go wrong with any company that’s going to get you safely on the water.

If you’re traveling with children, you’ll want to keep in mind that there are some age restrictions on the river. If you have young children, you’ll probably want to look into rafting the Upper New River, which only goes up to Class III rapids. Teenagers love the Lower New River, which goes up to Class V. Some companies even offer all day trips that will include time to swim in the river, lunch, and an overall longer adventure.

If you’re visiting in the fall and have a party of people over 16 years old, you might consider the biggest adventure available in the New River Gorge area: rafting the Gauley River. This rafting trip includes some of the most intense Class V rapids in the country (possibly even the world). While this river isn’t within New River Gorge National Park boundaries, it is part of the Gauley River National Recreation Area, also managed by the NPS. The Lower Gauley is slightly less intense if you’re not sure about embarking on the ultimate Upper Gauley adventure.

Rafting on the Lower New just before Fayette Station

Go Hiking

There are lots of hiking trails available in New River Gorge National Park and they all lead to somewhere beautiful. You can pick up a trail guide in the visitor center, but these are some of the most popular trails for finding the best views in the park.

(trail classifications and ratings are my own, based on the available terrain in the area)

Endless Wall Trail

Endless Wall is easily the most famous view in the park. Here, you’ll eventually reach Diamond Point Overlook, where you’ll gain views of some of the rapids and rafters below. This trail is dog friendly, and there are two parking lots. I recommend parking at the first one you’ll pass as you come from Highway 19. You’ll have the opportunity to make the trail a loop by hiking parking lot to parking lot, and if you park at the first lot, the section of this loop that will have to be along the road will be downhill rather than up (unless that’s your thing!).

Endless Wall is about 3 miles round trip, and I would classify this hike as easy.

Long Point Trail

Long Point is the other trail where you’ll gain some million dollar views of the park. Here, you’ll gain views of the famous New River Gorge Bridge and this is one of the best places to catch the sunset in the park. The trail starts off fairly flat and then starts to gain some elevation and rocks on the path toward the viewpoint.

Long point is about three miles round trip, and I would classify it as moderate.

Glade Creek to Kates Falls

Glade Creek is easily my favorite trail in the park, but it doesn’t lead to some incredible viewpoint. Instead, you’ll hike deep into the forest, along the rushing Glade Creek, to the stunning Kates Falls. This trail is fairly flat but long, so be prepared for at least a half day on trail with no cell signal. I recommend parking at the Lower Glade Creek Trailhead as the Upper Trailhead lot is 4x4 access only. Hiking to the falls from the Lower Glade Creek lot is about 9.2 miles one way, and I would classify this trail as difficult. Make sure you keep an eye out for the sign to Kates Falls on the left once you’re about a mile and a half from the bridge, and prepare for flooded trails and creek crossings—trekking sandals would be a great choice for this trail!

Kates Falls

Paddleboard on Summersville Lake

One of the most beautiful places in New River Gorge National Park is Summersville Lake, which is located about a thirty minute drive from Fayetteville. Here, you’ll find hidden waterfalls, climbers deep water soloing, and one of the best sunsets in the park (from the water of course).

Rent a paddleboard or kayak or bring your own to explore this huge and warm lake in the summers, just make sure that you bring a personal floatation device (PFD) for every passenger on your board or boat.

Be aware that some years, in the fall, the lake does get drained, so make sure you check the park website for updates.

The view from Diamond Point on the Endless Wall Trail

Go Rock Climbing

Other than whitewater rafting, climbing is the most popular sport to do in the New. Rock climbers from all over the world travel here, and many end up staying, because of the beautiful Nuttal Sandstone walls, incredible trad routes, and fun sport climbs. There’s even a good assortment of boulders for anyone who’s not stoked on rope climbing.

If you’ve never climbed before, there are outfitters who can take you on your first climbing trip—gear included! I personally worked for Ace Adventure Resort, but other climbing outfitters include Adventures on the Gorge and Appalachian Mountain Guides.

Another great resource for climbing (other than Mountain Project and the local guide book), is the local climbing shop: Waterstone Outdoors. Every employee here is super knowledgeable and wants to help you get on the rock as soon and as safely as possible.

Hal Homel lead climbing in New River Gorge National Park

Explore Fayetteville

There’s a reason Fayetteville is known as the “Coolest Small Town.” Downtown Fayetteville, West Virginia is super cute and has a lot to check out. Other than Waterstone Outdoors, our local climbing shop, there’s a huge assortment of places to visit like the Hobbit Hole, which is the antiques shop, the Great Googly Moogly, which is the local crystal shop, and restaurants like Cathedral Cafe and The Takeout.

Overall, there is so much to see and do in New River Gorge National Park and its surrounding areas, so make the most of it, get out of your comfort zone, and try something NEW.

How to Visit Salem, MA and Pay For Nothing But Parking

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It’s October, and I know a lot of people are heading out to New England and specifically Salem, MA to celebrate the changing weather and recently dubbed “Spooky Season.” Salem is a fantastic destination any time of year, but with the changing autumn leaves of October, and the general spooky vibes the place gives off, there’s no better month to go.

I had the fortune of visiting Salem during the summer and the spooky feelings were already there. As a heavy budget solo traveler, I was determined to pay for nothing but parking and food, and if you bring your own lunch, you can take a day trip to this famous town for only $6 all day parking (and gas).

Salem, Massachusetts was made famous by the Salem Witch Trials, an event that occurred in 1692 which resulted in the deaths of 20 people accused of witchcraft.

Today, the whole town is themed around the idea of witches and Halloween and is home to tons of museums such as the Salem Witch Museum and Halloween Museum. These attractions aren’t free, though, so if you’re a budget traveler like me, these aren’t really an option. The good news is, there are plenty of free things to do in Salem to experience the town.

Statue near the Salem Common

The Salem Witch Trials Memorial

The Salem Witch Trials Memorial was built in 1992 to commemorate the 20 people who were killed during the Salem Witch Trials 300 years prior. The memorial is free to visit and consists of 20 benches, one for each of the people whose lives were taken and surrounded by black locust trees. This is a somber place, but one that should absolutely be experienced if you are planning a day trip to this little New England City.

The Old Burying Point Cemetery

Directly next to the memorial is the Old Burying Point Cemetery, which is where one of the Witch Trial judges is buried. Also a somber experience, it’s important to visit these places out of respect for the place’s history if you’re also going to experience the Halloween festivities (or in general, they’re interesting and important stops any time of year).

Walk Downtown Salem

Even if you don’t plan on buying any souvenirs, walking through downtown Salem is a cool experience in itself. With witch-themed shops, cobblestone streets, and a beautiful fountain statue, Downtown Salem is a cool place to hang out if you need some downtime during your day in Salem.

Downtown Salem

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

Venturing away from the spooky stuff, the Salem Maritime National Historic Site features a cool little walk down to the lighthouse that’s beautiful any time of year. Run by the National Park Service, this National Historic Site is a good break from the hustle and bustle of the touristy parts of the city, and not to mention, it’s interesting to see this site that was so crucial to the building of the US in a place that was so destructive to human lives. This site is also attached to the free visitor center just outside of Downtown Salem, where you can get information about the entire city.

Lighthouse at the end of the walkway in the Salem Maritime National Historic Site

The Hocus Pocus House

While I personally didn’t visit the Hocus Pocus House because I didn’t want to move my car and lose my paid-for spot ($6 for 4 hours, which was more than enough time to see all of these things and eat lunch), it is free to visit. If you’re a fan of the Disney original Halloween movie, Hocus Pocus, this is a must-see for you! While they do have paid tours that will take you to all of the filming locations in the city, visiting the house won’t cost you anything (although you probably won’t be allowed inside).

Follow the Red Line

If you’re out of ideas, look to the ground! Likely, wherever in the city you are, you’ll find a red line painted on the floor somewhere nearby. This red line will take you to all of the important historic spots in the city, so if you’re worried you might’ve missed something, this is a great thing to do to make sure you don’t drive away while there’s still more to see.

While it has a grim history, Salem, MA has its hidden beauty

Salem, Massachusetts is an important part of American history, not just a spooky spot to visit during October. But since it is such a hotspot for all things Halloween, tons of tourists flock there this time of year. Luckily, in this touristy town, you won’t be required to spend money at all if you don’t want to. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this city’s history without even opening your wallet.

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If you’re heading to Salem this October, you’ll need some spooky apparel to get you in the spirit. Shop ethical and adorable Halloween designs at Wholesome Culture.

Top 5 Beaches in the US

As someone from California, the beach has never been too far out of reach, even when I was going to school in the Inland Empire. When I was traveling the United States this past summer, I found myself bearing long stretches of time in between oceans, and I realized that there’s no way I could ever live landlocked. I never even particularly loved the beach as a kid. I actually hated the beach up until around high school when I started tolerating it for an ex boyfriend. It wasn’t until university that I truly found my love for the ocean through feeling a strange sense of duty to protect planet earth. Through sustainability, I finally found every California girl’s love for the sun, salt, and sand, and now that I’ve been to (almost) every corner of the county, I’ve come up with a list of my five favorite beaches I’ve ever visited. While there are plenty in between, and ones maybe even more worth visiting that I haven’t been to yet, these are five that should be on your to-visit list, no matter what corner of the country you’re from.

West Coast:

El Matador State Beach, CA

California’s not only home to me, but if anyone else was writing this article, it would probably top this list anyway. California’s known for its beaches, from Big Sur to Santa Monica. While I could’ve picked any of those, I felt like the one beach that had to rep the Golden State is El Matador. Now, it’s not your classic swim beach. There are no lifeguards (unless it’s a particularly stormy day), no volleyball nets, and oftentimes, there’s no sun either. But, it’s one of the most secluded beaches in the Los Angeles area. You have to park in a lot off of PCH ($6) and then hike down a small bluff to access the beach. Once you’re down there, you’ll be greeted by Northwest-esque rock formations, a small cove, and the occasional wedding photoshoot.

It is getting more popular by the minute, though, so consider yourself lucky that I shared it with you at all. As it gets to be more well known, it’s more important than ever to keep this place wild, packing out all garbage, using only the toilets located in the parking lot, and leaving pets at home.

El Matador State Beach, CA

Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, WA

With its rocky shore, grey waves, and foggy surrounding pine tree forest, there’s no doubt that Rialto Beach is incredibly different from any beach further south along the coast. Located just a few miles west of the 101, Rialto is one of the Northernmost beaches along the West Coast. With it’s fallen driftwood trees and choppy waves, this is one of the most unique landscapes you can find at a beach (at least that I’ve seen). Rialto offers everything between a few miles of walking along the shore to famous rock formations such as Split Rock and Hole in the Wall to extended wilderness coast backpacking trips, which you must register at the Mora Ranger Station to participate in. Rialto Beach is a beach of tide pools, starfish, sea anemones, pine trees, and surrounding Olympic mountains. Some people are lucky enough to see whales here, but I didn’t during my day I spent on the shore. It can get super cold, so bring a blanket and a jacket, and see where the shoreline takes you. You won’t be disappointed.

Although this beach is on National Park land, you don’t need to pay admission or parking to get in (yay!), just make sure you follow leave no trace principles, backpacking ordinances, and other regulations. Dogs are also allowed on Rialto Beach, which makes it an awesome destination for overlanders heading up the coast!

Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park Shore Section, WA

East Coast:

Flagler Beach, FL

This was kind of an unexpected one. I came here by fate of a cousin of my mom’s setting me up with a free apartment here during my road trip around the country. I thought, “Why not? Free shower, WiFi, and bed? Plus it’s by the beach…” And that beach was amazing. It was almost completely secluded, really only a few locals, and some regular out of town visitors. Plus, it’s dog friendly, and is one of the only dog friendly beaches in the area. The water was super warm and the waves were perfect for a day-long swim in the middle of July. I also felt 100% okay with leaving my stuff on the sand to go in the ocean. As I was staying across the street, I’m not completely sure what the rules are about parking, but there appeared to be some street parking when there’s no construction happening (as there was when I was there).

Flagler Beach, FL

Acadia National Park, ME

I’m not really sure if this counts as a beach itself, but it is home to many beautiful beaches, and places where the land meets the sea. Acadia National Park is actually on an island off the East Coast of Maine, and it’s one of the few places I’ve been where pine trees meets the ocean (Rialto being the only other one). The Park’s loop road offers access to many little beach points, Sand Beach being the most famous (so famous, in fact, that I couldn’t get a parking space both days I tried to go). There are also some beautiful empty areas, like the rock cliff pictured below (located just past the Gorham Mountain Trailhead parking), and Otter Point, located further up the road. Really, the whole park offers views of the ocean, even when you climb to higher elevation, and there’s a little something for everyone here, whether you’re a hiker or rock climber, or just want to relax by the waves.

As this is a National Park, please follow Leave No Trace principles. Dog are allowed in some areas of the park, but not others.

Acadia National Park, ME

Hawaii

Kaanapali Beach, Maui, HI

I couldn’t write an article about beaches without mentioning the spot that got me in the ocean in the first place. Not only is Hawaii one of the surf capitals of the world, Maui itself is known for its clear water and amazing snorkeling. Kaanapali Beach is one of the more famous beaches out here, known for its famous cliff jumping at Black Rock—a giant cliff made of once-molten lava rock that overlooks the reef. While the cliff jumping is amazing (jumping about 30 feet into the ocean is no joke, though), the snorkeling can’t be beat. With its crystal blue waters and in-tact reef below, you can guarantee that you’ll see tons of fish here, and maybe even the occasional turtle. The beach itself is white sand beaches, behind the Kaanapali Hotel (there is a paid parking lot if you’re not a guest, however, its been so long, I can’t remember how much it costs). This is mostly a swim and family beach, but I don’t think anyone would have a problem if you brought your surfboard along (as long as you avoid the Black Rock area).

It’s important to note, though, that due to coral bleaching, this natural reef isn’t doing its best. Please use reef safe sunscreen if you plan on going in the ocean here, or at any Hawaiian beach.

I unfortunately am not sure if dogs are allowed on Kaanapali Beach, but I think it’s safe to assume that it might be better to leave Fido in the van or hotel room unless you confirm otherwise first.

Kaanapali Beach, Maui, HI, “vintage” circa 2012

While there are more than enough beautiful beaches around the country, if I had to choose five to visit again and again, this would be my list. From the beautiful Pacific Northwest to the crystal clear blue waters of Hawaii, there’s a beach for everyone hiding somewhere in this country, even the mountain lover or self-proclaimed beach-hater. And hey, if you’re out driving coast to coast, you might just discover another seaside hidden gem yourself.