Hawks Nest State Park - United States
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About Hawks Nest State Park
RV quick facts for Hawks Nest State Park
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Road restrictions | Narrow, curving two-lane approach on US-60 (Midland Trail); use caution with long trailers and towables |
| Full hookups | No public campground inside the park; lodge and day-use facilities only |
| Dump station | Not available on site; use nearby private RV parks or Babcock State Park area facilities |
| Cell service | Generally available near the lodge and overlook; spotty in the gorge below |
| Reservation window | Lodge rooms bookable through West Virginia State Parks; day-use areas do not require reservations |
| Nearest airport | Yeager Airport (CRW) in Charleston, about 60 miles west |
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Best time to visit Hawks Nest State Park
Late spring through early fall, roughly May to October, offers the most comfortable weather for RV travel in this part of West Virginia. October is especially popular for peak fall foliage over the New River Gorge, so expect higher traffic on U.S. Route 60 and at overlook parking. Summer brings warm, humid days and frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while shoulder months in April and November tend to be quieter with cooler nights. Winter visits are possible for day use, but expect cold temperatures, occasional snow, and reduced services.
Cold with possible snow and ice on US-60 approach
Winter conditions; watch for black ice near the gorge rim
Variable; rain and late snow possible
Spring greens up, good shoulder season for RVs
Mild and green; frequent showers
Warm with afternoon thunderstorms
Hot, humid, peak summer visitation
Warm and humid; storms common
Comfortable, quieter shoulder month
Peak fall foliage, expect heavier traffic
Cool, crowds thin, early frost
Cold, snow possible, reduced park services
Things to do at Hawks Nest State Park
- Hawks Nest Overlook EasyRV parking available
The main overlook at Hawks Nest State Park provides a sweeping view of the New River Gorge from the cliff rim just off U.S. Route 60. A loop trail from the overlook parking lot leads to views of the lake and tunnel entrance below. It is the park's most accessible stop for RV travelers passing through on the Midland Trail.
- Aerial Tramway to Hawks Nest Marina EasyRV parking available
The aerial tramway descends from the lodge area down the gorge wall to the marina on Hawks Nest Lake. It offers one of the only non-hiking ways to reach the river below the cliffs and connects to jet boat rides on the lake during the operating season.
- Cliffside Trail ModerateRV parking available
The Cliffside Trail is a short hike that follows the rim of the gorge past rocky outcrops and seasonal wildflowers. It delivers several additional viewpoints beyond the main overlook and is a good leg-stretcher for travelers parking an RV at the lodge lot.
- Hawks Nest Lake Boat Tours EasyRV parking available
Jet boat tours run from the marina up the New River toward the base of the New River Gorge Bridge during the warm season. The trips provide a water-level perspective of cliffs and tunnels that are otherwise only visible from above.
- Hawks Nest Museum EasyRV parking available
The small park museum interprets the natural and industrial history of the gorge, including the Hawks Nest Tunnel project. The tunnel diverts water from the New River to produce electricity at Union Carbide's metals plant at Alloy, West Virginia. Exhibits give context before visiting the overlook and related NPS memorial sites nearby.
- Midland Trail Scenic Drive EasyRV parking available
U.S. Route 60, the Midland Trail National Scenic Byway, runs directly past the park entrance and links Ansted with Gauley Bridge and Charleston. The route passes through the town of Ansted and past Hawks Nest State Park on its way toward Kanawha Falls. It is a practical RV touring route for combining several overlooks and small towns in one day.
- New River Gorge National Park Day Trip EasyRV parking available
Hawks Nest sits just outside New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, which protects a rugged whitewater river and deep canyon. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities. The Canyon Rim Visitor Center near Fayetteville is a short drive south on Route 19.
Top Hosts near WV, United States
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RV Rentals Hawks Nest State Park
Hawks Nest State Park, WV, United States
How to get to Hawks Nest State Park
The park entrance is on U.S. Route 60 in Ansted, West Virginia, about an hour east of Charleston and roughly 35 to 45 minutes north of Beckley via Route 19. From Beckley and Fayetteville, take Highway 19 north to Highway 60, then turn right onto Highway 60 west and travel approximately 8.5 miles to the Hawks Nest Overlook parking lot. RV drivers should be ready for winding, hilly sections of Route 60 as it climbs and descends through the Appalachian Plateau, with tight curves and limited pull-offs near the gorge rim. The nearest major airport for fly-and-rent travelers is Yeager Airport in Charleston, with Raleigh County Memorial Airport near Beckley as a regional alternative.
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