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West Virginia: the New River Gorge: 4-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 4-day version for October: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 2-day plan · 3-day plan · 4-day plan · best time to go.
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4
days
135 km
distance
7.1 h
driving
23
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~11 hours of daylight in October — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Rafting season on the New and Gauley — fall's dam releases make the Gauley a world top-ten — and October's Bridge Day closes the span for BASE jumpers.
Day 1 Lewisburg → Fayetteville & the Gorge
- Transit
- 2h27
- Finish
- ~17:10
- Temperature
- 6.7°C–18.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~13
- Daylight
- 11.0h
09:00
Trek through massive caverns and explore underground wonders.
50 min · Lewisburg
10:05
Explore three art galleries and enjoy live music and dance performances.
50 min · Lewisburg
open: Galleries and Box office: M-F 10AM-4PM
11:30
12:20
Blackwell's Catering blackwellscatering.com
Dine on fresh fish, seafood, steaks, and vegan dishes in a scenic golf setting.
60 min · Lewisburg
open: M-F 8AM-7PM, Sa 8AM-4PM
15:00
16:20
Take in panoramic views of the Gorge and Hawks Nest Lake from a 31-room lodge.
50 min · Fayetteville & the Gorge
open: Tram operates 11AM-4:45PM on weekdays (closed Wednesdays) and 9AM-6:45PM on weekends, May through October (weekends only during May and September)
Overnight: Fayetteville & the Gorge
e.g. The Confluence Resort · The Ponderosa Lodge
Day 2 Around Fayetteville & the Gorge
- Transit
- 1h00
- Finish
- ~17:40
- Temperature
- 6.7°C–18.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~13
- Daylight
- 11.0h
09:00
Enjoy mountain vistas, trout streams, and the historic Glade Creek Grist Mill.
50 min · Fayetteville & the Gorge
10:30
Mystery Hole search
Witness strange gravitational phenomena in this quirky museum housed in a Quonset hut.
90 min · Fayetteville & the Gorge · Admission $5
open: Open 10:30AM-6PM, April through October
12:15
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve search
Stand across from Fayetteville on the iconic New River Gorge Bridge.
50 min · Fayetteville & the Gorge
13:20
Midland Trail Scenic Byway search
Drive along scenic route 60 with breathtaking views of the landscape.
50 min · Fayetteville & the Gorge
14:25
Cantrell Ultimate Rafting cantrellultimaterafting.com
Navigate the thrilling rapids of the New and Gauley Rivers on guided trips.
90 min · Fayetteville & the Gorge
16:10
River Expeditions goextreme.com
Choose from single-day to multi-day rafting trips and camping on the New and Gauley Rivers.
90 min · Fayetteville & the Gorge · $70 - $235
Overnight here
e.g. The Confluence Resort · The Ponderosa Lodge
Day 3 Charleston
- Transit
- 2h27
- Finish
- ~17:35
- Temperature
- 7.5°C–19.9°C
- Rainy days
- ~13
- Daylight
- 11.0h
10:30
11:30
West Virginia State Museum wvculture.org map ↗
Discover the state's history across three floors of exhibits.
50 min · Charleston · Free
open: M-Th 9AM-8PM, F Sa 9AM-6PM, Su noon-6PM
12:30
Explore interactive exhibits and watch films in the domed theater.
50 min · Charleston · Museum $9, add Planetarium Show $4
open: W-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM
13:35
You will see preserved Greek Revival architecture and period furnishings in this historic home.
50 min · Charleston · Free
14:45
16:05
Stroll along trails and enjoy the forest's peaceful surroundings.
90 min · Charleston
Overnight here
Day 4 Around Charleston
- Transit
- 1h13
- Finish
- ~17:10
- Temperature
- 7.5°C–19.9°C
- Rainy days
- ~13
- Daylight
- 11.0h
09:00
10:05
11:50
13:50
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.