MONTGOMERY, WV (SWVO) – As fall colors reach their peak in mid-October, visitors to southern West Virginia have a unique opportunity to experience the vibrant scenery of New River Gorge National Park & Preserve by train.
The Amtrak Cardinal, which travels through the heart of the gorge three days a week—on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—offers one of the most scenic train rides in the eastern United States.
According to the West Virginia Department of Tourism, mid-October marks the height of fall foliage in the New River Gorge region, making this an ideal time to ride the rails.
The Cardinal runs between Chicago and New York City, with several stops in West Virginia including Huntington, Charleston, Montgomery, Thurmond, Prince, Hinton, Alderson, and White Sulphur Springs.
For the best views of the gorge, including sights of the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, travelers are encouraged to board at least in Montgomery and ride to Hinton.
For a same-day round trip through the gorge, passengers can catch the eastbound Train 50 in the morning and return westbound on Train 51 later that day.
The route passes stunning natural landmarks such as Kanawha Falls, Hawks Nest Dam, and Sandstone Falls, as well as historic rail towns like Thurmond and Prince.
Three stops on the Cardinal’s route—Thurmond, Prince, and Hinton—are located within the boundaries of New River Gorge National Park.
Thurmond Depot even serves as a seasonal visitor center, making this Amtrak journey the only one in the nation to stop inside a national park and at a national park visitor center.
With panoramic windows and tracks that wind through otherwise inaccessible terrain, the Cardinal offers a fall foliage experience unlike any other.
Tickets and schedules are available at Amtrak.com.
About The Author
