Budget Friendly Travel to Plan Now: New River Gorge National Park, West Virgina

Travel is as expensive as you make it.

We are asked often how we afford to travel.  We are both teachers, with the number of responsibilities that comes with adulting.  Yet, we do everything we can to budget travel.

The New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia is a hidden gem in the traveling world.  Located in the center of West Virgina, this is an up and coming area of history, outdoor travel, and natural beauty.  

We were drawn to the area by the Bridge Walk, which the cost was covered as a Christmas gift.  The Bridge Walk is a unique experience only found one other place in the world, in Australia.  Read more about it in the link below.

Bridge Walk Experience

What we hadn't anticipated was the wonder and beauty West Virgina had to offer.  We decided it's a state that gets highly underrated.  Every road, every turn demonstrated another incredible view.  While the drive is slower paced than most states due to the curves, it helps to relax and sing "Take Me Home, Country Road" on repeat.

In our exploration of the New River Gorge Area, we found numerous free places to explore.  Hawk's Nest offers incredible views of the New River Gorge area. 

Hawk's Nest

 While there, make sure to visit the ghost town of Thurmond.  The road out to the old town is lined with waterfalls along the river you follow.  While there, you step into history, as the abandoned town has left relics of its coal mining past.

​Make sure you take your National Parks Passport as you can get multiple stamps from the area! (See our button below!)

The accommodations are affordable, and various rent by owners or hotels offer prices for every budget.  In addition, camping is popular.  The New River Gorge area is famous for its white-water rafting, which can be an additional expense if you're interested and willing!

Take time to plan your trip now.  The Bridge Walk does book up, and you'll want to get your days in so you can budget your trip.  It's a drivable destination, and worth your travel time!

When Road Tripping, we have a list of recommended items.  Click the button to see what we use to make car travel a budget friendly experience.

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