New River Gorge National Park

West Virginia · Southeast

ChallengingOfficial Site

Habitat

ForestMountain

Best Seasons

SpringSummer

Difficulty

Challenging

Best Months

May-July

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Open 24 hours

About This Location

New River Gorge National Park protects 73,000 acres of rugged Appalachian gorge in southern West Virginia, harboring some of the richest neo-tropical warbler breeding habitat in the eastern United States. The park's mixed mesophytic forests support an exceptional diversity of breeding songbirds.

Cerulean Warblers, Swainson's Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrushes, and over 25 other warbler species nest along the gorge's forested slopes. Peregrine Falcons have been reintroduced to the cliff faces, and the river corridor supports nesting Louisiana Waterthrushes and Acadian Flycatchers.

Location

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Notable Species

Cerulean Warbler Swainson's Warbler Peregrine Falcon Louisiana Waterthrush Black-throated Green Warbler

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/2/2026Martinsburg Lakes Subdivision2 observed

Gray Catbird

Dumetella carolinensis

3/2/2026Lewis Lane, private property1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/1/2026Gauley Bridge1 observed

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

3/1/2026Mt. Storm Lake--Boat Launch1 observed

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

2/28/2026Little Indian Creek WMA1 observed

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

2/28/2026Little Indian Creek WMA1 observed

Evening Grosbeak

Hesperiphona vespertina

2/28/2026Cheat Mountain Ranch6 observed

Evening Grosbeak

Hesperiphona vespertina

2/28/2026CBR Home11 observed

Evening Grosbeak

Hesperiphona vespertina

2/28/2026White Grass15 observed

Gray Catbird

Dumetella carolinensis

2/28/2026Private Property, Lewis Lane, Backyard1 observed

Red-headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

2/27/2026Old Hemlock Clear Cut (39.646, -79.623)1 observed

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

2/27/2026Leon Ferry Ln. (roadside access only)1 observed

Evening Grosbeak

Hesperiphona vespertina

2/27/2026White Grass13 observed

Evening Grosbeak

Hesperiphona vespertina

2/26/2026CBR Home32 observed

Merlin

Falco columbarius

2/26/2026Sunset Memorial Park1 observed

Evening Grosbeak

Hesperiphona vespertina

2/25/2026CBR Home5 observed

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

2/24/2026Leon Ferry Ln. (roadside access only)3 observed

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

2/24/2026Leon Ferry Ln. (roadside access only)3 observed

Evening Grosbeak

Hesperiphona vespertina

2/24/2026Shavers Run Farm3 observed

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

2/23/2026General John McCausland Memorial Farm4 observed

Recent Observations

Song Sparrow

Palatine Park/Fairmont

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mourning Dove

Palatine Park/Fairmont

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Robin

Palatine Park/Fairmont

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Cardinal

Palatine Park/Fairmont

3/4/2026

1 birds

European Starling

Palatine Park/Fairmont

3/4/2026

5 birds

American Kestrel

Palatine Park/Fairmont

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Crow

Palatine Park/Fairmont

3/4/2026

2 birds

Canada Goose

Palatine Park/Fairmont

3/4/2026

2 birds

Killdeer

Palatine Park/Fairmont

3/4/2026

2 birds

Blue Jay

Palatine Park/Fairmont

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-tailed Hawk

US-460 E, Princeton US-WV 37.34805, -81.01392

3/4/2026

1 birds

Rock Pigeon

1000 Oakvale Rd, Princeton US-WV 37.36359, -81.05265

3/4/2026

3 birds

House Sparrow

1000 Oakvale Rd, Princeton US-WV 37.36359, -81.05265

3/4/2026

4 birds

Common Grackle

1081–1499 Camp Creek Rd, Camp Creek US-WV 37.50525, -81.11692

3/4/2026

4 birds

Purple Finch

Largent Heights Lane

3/4/2026

12 birds

White-breasted Nuthatch

Largent Heights Lane

3/4/2026

1 birds

Tufted Titmouse

Largent Heights Lane

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Finch

Largent Heights Lane

3/4/2026

1 birds

Brown Creeper

Largent Heights Lane

3/4/2026

2 birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Largent Heights Lane

3/4/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
The Long Point Trail offers the best Cerulean Warbler habitat — listen for their buzzy songs high in the canopy
2
Early May is ideal when migrants overlap with arriving breeders for peak species diversity

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Visitor Center

Trails

Nearby Attractions

New River Gorge Bridge
Fayette Station rapids

Birding Guides

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Top Spring Migration Hotspots Across America

10 min read

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit New River Gorge National Park for birding?▼

The best months to visit New River Gorge National Park for birding are May-July. The best seasons are Spring and Summer.

What birds can I see at New River Gorge National Park?▼

Notable species at New River Gorge National Park include Cerulean Warbler, Swainson's Warbler, Peregrine Falcon, Louisiana Waterthrush, Black-throated Green Warbler. The area supports forest, mountain habitats.

How difficult is birding at New River Gorge National Park?▼

Birding at New River Gorge National Park is rated as Challenging. The terrain can be challenging and may require good physical fitness and preparation.

Is there an entrance fee at New River Gorge National Park?▼

There is no entrance fee at New River Gorge National Park. Hours: Open 24 hours.

What amenities are available at New River Gorge National Park?▼

New River Gorge National Park offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Trails.