GLEN JEAN, WV (SWVO) – New River Gorge National Park and Preserve recorded its highest September visitation since at least 1984, according to preliminary data from the National Park Service (NPS).
The park welcomed 206,711 recreational visitors in September 2026, surpassing the previous September record of 198,638 visitors set in 2025.
The increase represents 8,073 additional visitors, or approximately 4.1%, compared to September of last year.
According to National Park Service visitation records dating back to 1984, September 2026 was the busiest September recorded in the park’s history.
The latest figures also show that New River Gorge received 1,624,501 recreational visits during the first nine months of 2026, compared to 1,523,210 during the same period in 2025.
That represents an increase of 101,291 visits, or approximately 6.7%, over last year.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, located in southern West Virginia, became America’s 63rd national park in December 2020.
The park was originally established as New River Gorge National River in 1978 before receiving its national park designation.
Stretching along 53 miles of the New River, the park encompasses more than 70,000 acres and is known for its scenic overlooks, hiking trails, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and historic coal mining communities.
One of the park’s most recognizable landmarks is the New River Gorge Bridge near Fayetteville, which spans 3,030 feet across the gorge and serves as the centerpiece of the annual Bridge Day celebration each October.
The park has also become a major contributor to southern West Virginia’s tourism economy, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.
According to the National Park Service, visitor spending associated with the park contributed approximately $95.5 million to the local economy in 2024.
The National Park Service notes that 2026 visitation figures remain preliminary and are subject to change. Final numbers are expected to be available by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
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