News Release

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve to Host Public Meeting on Climbing Activities in the Park

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: Eve West, 304-719-6364

GLEN JEAN, WV- New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (NRGNPP) invites members of the public who have an interest in climbing at NRGNPP and Gauley River National Recreation Area to a public meeting. The event will be held on May 23, 2024, at 6:00 pm at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center in Lansing, WV.

The NPS will provide park updates on recent climbing projects, volunteer events, current climbing-related natural resource initiatives, a moratorium on new climbing routes, and climbing stewards. Park staff will also answer questions and take comments from attendees.  

There are over 1,600 established climbing routes in NRGNPP, making the park one of the largest climbing areas in the eastern United States. The extensive cliff that rims much of the western portion of the gorge is composed of Nuttall sandstone, which is renowned among rock climbers. Since the establishment of the national river in 1978, the area’s popularity has blossomed to become one of America’s premier climbing destinations. With the 2020 redesignation to a national park and preserve and subsequent increase in visitation, climbing has increased in popularity.

Area residents, business owners, local officials, organizational representatives, and others interested in climbing are encouraged to provide feedback to the park. Those who are unable to attend the event can provide their comments via email to [e-mail], or via mail to: New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Attn: Alyssa Wegner, P.O. Box 246, Glen Jean, WV 25846. Attendees who require additional information or special assistance to attend and participate in this meeting may also contact Alyssa Wegner at 304-465-6532 or via email at [e-mail] prior to May 23.

Information about climbing at the park can be found on the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/climbing.htm. The Canyon Rim Visitor Center is open seven days a week, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.