Welcome to the outdoor-recreation capital of the East! Within 30 minutes of the Garvey House you’ll find two of America’s best whitewater-rafting rivers and thousands of acres of state and national parkland. Of course, we're here to help plan your trip and will be happy to provide recommendations.
Recreation
ATV Tours
Four-wheeler excursions through the mountains are provided through several local
outfitters. Local private trail areas operate nearby. ATVs are prohibited
in national park areas.
Biking
On- and off-road biking is extremely popular throughout the New River Gorge
region -- within the gorge and amid the surrounding highlands.
Birding
The New River Gorge region is a popular destination for bird watchers. The New
River Birding & Nature Festival is held here in early May.
Climbing
The New River Gorge is one of the top U.S. rock-climbing destinations. The
Beauty Mountain and Endless Wall climbing areas are located less than a
five-minute-drive from the Garvey House.
Hiking
More than 30 miles of hiking trails meander through the national park and nearby
Babcock State Park and Hawks Nest State Park.
Horseback
Riding
Several local guide services offer horseback tours of the New River Gorge and
Meadow River Gorge and the surrounding highlands.
Kayaking
Hundreds of kayaking streams descend through the boulder-strewn canyons of West
Virginia. The nearby New, Gauley, and Meadow rivers are three of the best known.
Rafting
The New River and nearby Gauley River are among the most popular whitewater
rafting rivers in the U.S. Hundreds of thousands of rafters venture here every
year.
Nearby Attractions
Babcock State Park
An operating gristmill is among the highlights in this scenic state park only
five minutes from the Garvey House, as are a swimming pool, small fishing lake,
and plenty of trails.
Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
The history of early mining in West Virginia is interpreted on this journey
beneath the city of Beckley, about 45 minutes south of the Garvey House.
Bridge Day Festival
More than 200,000 visitors turn out for the annual Bridge Day festival in
October when the bridge is open to pedestrian traffic and parachutists are
permitted to leap from the span.
Camp Washington-Carver
The Appalachian Stringband Festival in August is the hallmark festival at nearby
Camp Washington-Carver. More than 3,000 fans turn out for the four-day
celebration.
Canyon Rim Visitor Center
This national park visitor center straddles the cliffline at the northern end of
the New River Gorge Bridge, about 10 minutes from the Garvey House, and includes
exhibits and overlooks.
Carnifex
Ferry Battlefield
The battle between Union and Confederate forces at Carnifex Ferry, on the Gauley
River, is interpreted in this historical park about 20 minutes north of
the Garvey House.
Gauley River
The Gauley River is among the world's most popular whitewater rivers. The river
runs is strongest during Gauley Season in late September and early October.
Hawks Nest State
Park
A drive of about 15 minutes from the Garvey House, Hawks Nest features several
overlooks and a aerial tramway which carries visitors into the gorge.
Historic Fayetteville
The quaint Fayetteville National Historic District includes several great
restaurants and many outfitters and specialty shops.
New River Gorge
The New River Gorge National River protects more than 70,000 acres in and around
the New River and its canyon, centerpiece of West Virginia's outdoor-recreation
capital.
Outdoor Dramas
The outdoor dramas "Honey in the Rock" and "Hatfields &
McCoys" are performed summer nights at the National Park Service
amphitheatre at Grandview.
Summersville Lake
Exceptionally clear waters and astonishing rock formations attract thousands of
anglers, divers, boaters, and rock-climbers to Summersville Lake, 20 minutes
from our door.
Tamarack
West Virginia's showplace for native arts, approximately 30-minutes south of the
Garvey House, is the ultimate shopping destination for collectors of Appalachian
handicrafts.
Winterplace
Off Interstate 77 only 50 minutes south of the Garvey House, Winterplace ski
resort includes 27 ski trails, a terrain park, and 10-lane snow-tubing park.
