Explore the breathtaking beauty of New River Gorge National Park with the Ultimate Scenic Driving Tour. This self-guided adventure offers a fascinating exploration of the park’s 300-million-year history, showcasing stunning sights like the iconic New River Gorge Bridge and Sandstone Falls. With the downloadable Action Tour Guide app, you’ll enjoy immersive audio stories and offline maps, providing a seamless and flexible journey through this natural wonderland. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or a history buff, this tour promises to leave you awestruck by the park’s natural wonders. Discover why this scenic route has captured the hearts of visitors from all over.
Key Points
- Self-guided driving tour through New River Gorge National Park, showcasing iconic landmarks like the New River Gorge Bridge and Sandstone Falls.
- App-guided experience with offline maps and audio stories to enhance the park’s 300-million-year history and diverse wildlife.
- Flexible scheduling allows for personalized exploration, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
- Tour emphasizes the park’s natural wonders, including opportunities to spot rare species like hellbender salamanders and bald eagles.
- Unique password-protected access to the tour app enables immediate and convenient use across multiple visits within a year.
Tour Overview
Explore New River Gorge National Park with a self-guided driving tour starting from SEK 175 per person.
The tour includes local history, iconic mining towns, and breathtaking vistas. Flexible booking allows you to reserve now and pay later, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Discover the park’s 300-million-year history, visit the ghost town of Thurmond, and explore the most active bald eagle habitat.
Admire the New River Gorge Bridge and Sandstone Falls, the largest waterfall series in the park.
Download the Action Tour Guide app for audio guidance and offline maps, and enjoy a flexible schedule to use the tour over multiple trips within a year.
Highlights of the Tour
The tour highlights an array of captivating sights, from the awe-inspiring New River Gorge Bridge to the enchanting Sandstone Falls – the largest waterfall series in the park.
Visitors will learn about the park’s rich history spanning over 300 million years, including the ghost town of Thurmond and the historic mining towns of Prince and Quinnimont.
Wildlife enthusiasts can spot the elusive hellbender and majestic black bears while exploring the most active bald eagle habitat in the region.
With flexible scheduling and offline maps, travelers can discover the natural wonders of New River Gorge National Park at their own pace.
Key Features of the Tour
Travelers can download the Action Tour Guide app to access the self-guided driving tour of New River Gorge National Park.
The app provides audio guidance and offline maps, ensuring a seamless experience even without cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. The tour is designed for one vehicle, allowing everyone to listen together.
The audio stories play automatically based on the user’s location, immersing them in the park’s rich history and natural wonders.
The flexible booking allows visitors to use the tour over multiple trips within a year, catering to their preferred pace and schedule.
Customers can access the tour using a unique password received after booking and receive support through various channels.
Meeting Point and Logistics
To begin the self-guided driving tour, visitors will meet at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, located at 162 Visitor Center Rd, Lansing, WV 25862, USA.
Guests are advised to bring a charged smartphone, their vehicle, and a power bank.
After booking, you will receive a unique password to access the tour through the Action Tour Guide app.
The app provides audio guidance, offline maps, and automatically plays stories based on the user’s location, ensuring a seamless and informative experience.
Customer support is available through call, chat, or email should any questions or issues arise during the tour.
Customer Feedback and Ratings
According to the information provided, the New River Gorge National Park driving tour has an overall rating of 4/5 based on traveler reviews. Users appear to appreciate the behind-the-scenes stories, which enhance their experience of the park.
Some key points about customer feedback include:
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The tour provides valuable historical insights and information about the park’s geology, flora, and fauna.
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Travelers find the self-guided format with the Action Tour Guide app to be convenient and easy to use.
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The flexible schedule allows visitors to explore the park at their own pace and revisit the tour on multiple trips.
History and Geology of the Park
New River Gorge was carved over 300 million years, a result of the region’s complex geological history. Successive episodes of uplift, erosion, and fluvial activity shaped the gorge’s dramatic landscape. The exposed rock layers reveal the rich geological evolution, dating back to the Carboniferous Period when this area was a tropical coastline. Today, visitors can marvel at the park’s diverse flora and fauna, including the elusive hellbender salamander and the majestic bald eagle. The park’s rugged beauty and cultural heritage offer a unique window into the region’s deep past.
| Period | Duration | Geological Events |
|---|---|---|
| Carboniferous | 359-299 million years ago | Tropical coastline |
| Permian | 299-252 million years ago | Mountain building |
| Mesozoic | 252-66 million years ago | Erosion and plateau formation |
| Cenozoic | 66 million years ago – present | River carving and gorge development |
Natural Wonders and Wildlife
The park’s natural wonders and diverse wildlife capture the imagination of visitors.
Sandstone Falls, the largest series of falls in the park, cascades over 1,500 feet, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
Overhead, bald eagles soar, making the park one of the most active bald eagle habitats in the region.
Beneath the surface, the elusive hellbender, North America’s largest salamander, inhabits the cool, fast-flowing waters of the New River.
These natural treasures exemplify the park’s rich ecological tapestry, inviting visitors to enjoy the wonders of this iconic wilderness.
- Sandstone Falls
- Bald Eagle Habitat
- Hellbender Salamanders
Flexible Scheduling and Accessibility
One of the key features of the New River Gorge National Park driving tour is its flexible scheduling and accessibility.
Travelers can download the Action Tour Guide app and access the tour at their own pace, using it over multiple visits within a year. The offline maps and audio stories that play automatically based on location eliminate the need for cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity, making the tour accessible even in remote areas of the park.
With a unique password provided after booking, visitors can simply get in their vehicle and start the self-guided journey, without the need for an in-person meeting.
This flexibility and accessibility allow travelers to fully enjoy the park’s natural wonders at their convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Stop for Meals During the Tour?
Yes, you can stop for meals during the tour. The tour provides a flexible schedule, allowing you to take breaks and explore the area at your own pace.
Are There Restroom Facilities Along the Driving Route?
The tour doesn’t mention specific restroom facilities along the driving route. However, the park has several visitor centers and overlooks where travelers can likely find restrooms during their self-guided exploration of the area.
Do I Need to Download the App Before the Tour?
The mobile app should be downloaded before the tour for the best experience. It provides audio guidance, maps, and location-based content that enhances the self-guided driving tour. Downloading the app ensures you can access all the features during your visit.
Is the Tour Suitable for Children and Pets?
The tour is suitable for children and pets. The driving tour allows families to explore the park at their own pace, with offline maps and audio guides that provide engaging stories for all ages.
Can I Extend the Tour to Multiple Days?
Yes, the tour can be extended to multiple days. The flexible booking allows you to use the tour over multiple trips within a year, giving you the freedom to explore the park at your own pace.
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Recap
Explore the breathtaking New River Gorge National Park on the Ultimate Scenic Driving Tour. This self-guided adventure showcases the park’s stunning natural beauty and rich history. With the downloadable app, you’ll enjoy immersive audio stories and offline maps, making for a seamless and flexible journey through this natural wonderland. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or a history buff, this tour offers an unforgettable experience.