About This Park
Nestled in the heart of whitewater rafting country, Hawks Nest State Park is a 270-acre recreational area with a nature museum, aerial tramway*, jetboat rides, hiking trails and one of the most challenging whitewater boating waterways in the nation. Its 31-room lodge offers luxurious rooms, dining and spacious conference and meeting facilities. Located just 10 miles north of the New River Gorge Bridge, Hawks Nest is known for its scenic overlook, which provides a bird’s eye view of the rugged New River Gorge National Park and Preserve below.
With New River Jet Boats you will be able to enjoy the stunning views of the New River Gorge from the comfort of a jet boat. From an open-air six-passenger jet boat to a covered 16-passenger one, there is a boat ride that will get you cruising on the New River. Learn more: wvstateparks.com/jet-boats.
The aerial tramway is currently closed for replacement.
Contact
- Phone: 304-658-5212
- Email: hawksnestsp@wv.gov
- Address: 49 Hawks Nest Park Rd, Ansted, WV 25812
History
Long before Hawks Nest became a state park, the area was a nesting ground for numerous osprey and the site of a trail used by Native Americans. In the late 1800s, the portion of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway running through the gorge was completed, and scattered most of the birds inhabiting Hawks Nest’s cliffs. In 1934, the Hawks Nest Dam and lake were completed. At the time, they were used to generate hydroelectricity for the growing manufacturing industry and for flood control.
In 1935, the state of West Virginia purchased much of the property that is now Hawks Nest. In 1963, the Department of Natural Resources took control of the property and built the park lodge and other facilities that now draw visitors from nearly every state, to enjoy the scenic views of the New River Gorge.
Dining
Dine surrounded by breathtaking views of the New River Gorge at The Overlook restaurant at Hawks Nest State Park. The Overlook restaurant is open year-round and is open on these days and hours:
Breakfast
Daily: 7-11 a.m.
Lunch
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 6:00 p.m. or Dinner Menu all day.
Dinner
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 6:00 p.m. or Dinner Menu all day.
Trails
Download Park Trail MapCliffside Trail
Fisherman’s Trail
GSYP Canyon Trail
Hawks Nest Lake Trail
Hawks Nest Overlook
Hawks Nest Rail Trail
Lovers Leap Trail
Park Loop Trail
Nearby Attractions
Babcock State Park
Babcock State Park is the perfect getaway with its famous Glade Creek Grist Mill just 21 miles southeast of Hawks Nest State Park on U.S. Route 60. It has a lake for fishing and boating, hiking trails, campgrounds, cabins, and trails for hiking and biking.
Adventures on the Gorge
Have a blast at Adventures on the Gorge! Located three miles from Hawks Nest, Adventures on the Gorge offers nature and wildlife tours, river rafting, tubing, boat tours, water sports, and other exciting outdoor activities.
Canyon Rim Visitor Center
Located four miles southeast from Hawks Nest on U.S. Route 60, this National Parks Service facility offers visitors information on the history and attractions of the New River Gorge, along with scheduled nature activities throughout the year.
Endless Wall Trail
Are you ready for a challenge? The Endless Wall Trail is a 2.4-mile moderate walk that passes through rich forest, crosses Fern Creek, then zig-zags along the cliff edge. Many vistas can be seen along the trail. Find the trailhead four miles from Hawks Nest State Park, southeast on U.S. Route 60.
Hard Rock Climbing
Be the first to enjoy the first established rock climbing guide service in the New River Gorge, specializing in rock climbing and rappelling for nearly 30 years. Each trip is catered to the client’s needs, and available for both individuals and groups. The climbing is based in Fayetteville, 12 miles from Hawks Nest State Park on U.S. Route 60 and WV Route 16 south.
Horseback Riding
Blaze a new trail and make a furry friend in the process! Two nearby stables offer horseback riding excursions through scenic backwoods trails. Horseshoe Creek Riding Stable, based in Hico, is just 8 miles from Hawks Nest State Park east on U.S. Route 60; and Equestrian Adventures in Fayetteville, is 16 miles from the park on U.S. Route 60 and WV Route 16 south.
Jet Boat Rides
Have a blast on a Jet Boat Ride! Take the shuttle van from Hawks Nest State Park along Mill Creek to the launch area for a fantastic ride on a 21-foot jet boat to a view of the New River Gorge Bridge. Days of operation, hours and rates are posted on New River Jet Boats.
Midland Trail
Midland Trail National Scenic Byway is the road of choice for those who prefer the scenic route. Route 60 winds 180-miles across West Virginia’s midsection, offering a drive filled with fabulous vistas, world-class rafting, outdoor fun, art and artisan treasures pioneer history. It passes right by Hawks Nest State Park and has many roadside attractions you can’t miss!
The Mystery Hole
This popular roadside attraction is two miles east of Hawks Nest on U.S. Route 60. Here, the laws of gravity seem to have gone berserk and your sense of balance is entirely upset. Come see what the mystery’s all about for yourself!
New River Gorge Bridge
At a height of nearly 900 feet, the New River Gorge Bridge is the second highest bridge east of the Mississippi. Foot traffic is only allowed on the bridge on the third Saturday in October for Bridge Day. On that day, the bridge is open to pedestrians, food and craft vendors, musicians and more. During the rest of the year, guests can take a Bridge Walk, touring the underside of the bridge via catwalk 850 feet above the New River. Bridge Walk tours are scheduled daily and tickets and reservations are required.
Summersville Lake
Plunge into the clearest water east of the Mississippi. Known as the “Little Bahamas of the East,” this exotic lake is a popular spot for boating, swimming, scuba diving, and stand-up paddle boarding. It’s also West Virginia’s largest lake, with 60 miles of shoreline.
Thurmond
During the first two decades of the 1900s, Thurmond was a classic boomtown. With the huge amounts of coal brought in from area mines, it had the largest revenue on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. Today, with a population of less than 10, the town of Thurmond remains surprisingly untouched by modern development. It is a link to the past, and a town with many stories to tell, including the impact of America’s industrial revolution. Find Thurmond 25 miles south of Hawks Nest State Park on U.S. Route 19.
TreeTops Canopy Tours
Book your world-class zip line canopy tour through the old-growth hemlock forests of the New River Gorge. This unique combination of zip lines, cable sky bridges, and stationary tree platforms are an adrenaline-charged way to view the local flora and fauna from areas that are otherwise inaccessible. Just four miles from Hawks Nest State Park southeast on U.S. Route 50.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
This park encompasses more than 70,000 acres of land along the New River — one of the oldest rivers in North America. The rugged mountains were once home to several coal mining camps, and some historical artifacts and buildings remain. Recreational opportunities include whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking and rock climbing.
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
The park, set on the rim of the Gauley River Canyon, was the setting for the 1861 Civil War battle during which Confederate troops were driven out of the Kanawha Valley. The park features the Patterson House Museum and three overlooks of the Gauley River. The Battle of Carnifex Ferry is re-enacted here on odd-numbered years so be sure not to miss out.