Fayette County is located in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. One of the region’s most distinctive structures is the New River Gorge Bridge: it is the longest single-span steel arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere, 3,030 feet long and 876 feet above the New River. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2013.
At Bridge Walk, three-hour tours follow the maintenance catwalk beneath the bridge. Bridge Day offers another opportunity to experience it on foot: on the third Saturday in October, the bridge is opened to pedestrians. If you plan to attend this event, check the dates for your travel year. The Canyon Rim Visitor Center provides orientation to the park and its landscape. It is the central information point and connects visitors with park resources; exhibits, an 11-minute orientation video, and views of the gorge and bridge are also available.
Trails, viewpoints, and scenic drives
Babcock State Park in Fayette County offers 17 hiking and walking trails totaling more than 20 miles. The Endless Wall Trail passes through forest, crosses Fern Creek, and follows the cliff edge, with several viewpoints along the way. Long Point offers a different perspective: its rocky outcrop provides panoramic views of the gorge and the New River Gorge Bridge. While in Babcock, it is also worth seeing Glade Creek Grist Mill, a fully operational replica of Cooper’s Mill.
Hawks Nest State Park offers further highlights: the 270-acre recreation area features a nature museum, jet boat rides, and hiking trails. For a drive instead of a hike, Fayette Station Road is an option. The one-way road is 8 miles long; the scenic drive takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Vehicles over 12 feet tall are not permitted.
The trails also vary in length and character. The Kaymoor Trail is a moderate two-mile hike that connects with the Kaymoor Miners Trail at the mine entrance. The Thurmond Walking Tour, by contrast, is a 0.5-mile loop that takes about an hour. These details help distinguish a short self-guided loop from a longer hike without presenting the two experiences as equivalent.
Mining, railroad, and local history
Kaymoor One is one of the best-preserved mining complexes in the New River Gorge. Nuttallburg is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered one of the best-preserved coal mining complexes in West Virginia. The road there is narrow, winding, and steep, and mostly single-lane; large vehicles and trailers are not recommended. This access information is especially important if you are planning a visit.
In Thurmond, railroad history comes together with a walking tour: the historic depot has been restored as a park visitor center. Exhibits and historic furnishings convey the heyday of rail traffic. The Thurmond Walking Tour is a loop that returns to its starting point and takes about an hour. Those interested in local history can also find a relevant stop in the Fayetteville Historic District: the district includes 75 historic homes and buildings, and a walking tour is available. The self-guided African American Heritage Auto Tour visits 17 historic sites in Fayette, Raleigh, Summers, and Nicholas counties.
Another way to explore cultural history is Camp Washington-Carver. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it serves as a cultural center for West Virginia’s mountain region and hosts seasonal programs to preserve arts and traditions. In Fayette County, the Farmer’s Market adds regional food to the picture, including locally grown vegetables, meat, baked goods, and pastries.
Oak Hill and its rail trails
In the Oak Hill area, the White Oak Rail-Trail runs for nearly 8 miles through the city, connecting Summerlee and Carlisle at its two ends. Most of the trail is paved; two miles have a compacted gravel surface. Oak Hill’s White Oak Railroad Depot also first opened in 1903. Together, the trail and depot offer a glimpse into different chapters of local transportation and community history.
More destinations
Discover more destinations: Mount Hope, Ansted, Fayetteville, Oak Hill, Summers, Lincoln County, Putnam County, Pendleton County.
For the main travel overview: West Virginia.
