Sight · New River Gorge National Park
Public river access below Brooks Falls Rapids.
Overview
Map
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
New River Gorge Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for New River Gorge National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the New River Gorge audio tourRecorded for this area
When Berry Holler Was a Farm“The woods along Big Branch Trail used to be pasture and hayfields. Bertha Huffman grew up there, in a place she called Berry Holler.”
Plays on the road 0.3 mi from Hellems Beach River Access in the Parkwolf New River Gorge Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
Hellems sits on river left below Brooks Falls Rapids. That makes it a useful reference for paddlers following the New River around Hinton.
Reach it via River Road from Hinton. The exact launch setup, parking, restrooms, drinking water and swimming access aren't documented for Hellems, so don't assume beach-style facilities. Check the route and the current access conditions before making it your only way onto the water.
Wildlife
18 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
126 sightingsWhite-tailed DeerMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
25 sightingsPileated WoodpeckerMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
15 sightingsBarred OwlMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
14 sightingsWild TurkeyMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
58 sightingsCopperheadMost seen around 7 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across New River Gorge. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ChallengingBig Branch Trail2 mi · 1.5 hr · 0.6 mi awayA strenuous loop through cascades, farmstead ruins, and gorge views.
ModerateGwinn Ridge Trail3 mi · 1.8 hr · 1.7 mi awayA wooded 3-mile ridge loop with occasional winter views.
ModerateSandstone Falls Overlook0.2 mi · 15 min · 2 mi awayA quick gravel walk to a high view of Sandstone Falls.
EasyIsland Loop Trail0.7 mi · 30 min · 2.4 mi awayA short island loop from river views into returning forest.
EasySandstone Falls Boardwalk0.5 mi · 30 min · 2.5 mi awayA wide, low waterfall reached by bridges and an accessible boardwalk.
Sight · 0.5 mi awayBrooks Falls Roadside ParkA broad river rapid for a quick roadside pause.
Sight · 0.8 mi awayBig Branch FallsA waterfall hike with spring flowers and a story in the hollow.
Sight · 1.1 mi awayBrooks Island OverlookA five-minute stop for the wooded island and river below.
Sight · 1.8 mi awayTrump-Lilly FarmA mountain farmstead where every outbuilding had a job.Sight · 2 mi awaySandstone Falls OverlookA short gravel walk, then 1,500 feet of falls from above.
Sight · 2 mi awayTug Creek River AccessPublic New River access via River Road, near Hinton.
Sight · 2.3 mi awayRichmond Hamilton FarmA preserved farmstead shows how families made do before the railroad.
Sight · 2.4 mi awaySandstone FallsA short boardwalk reaches islands framed by 1,500 feet of low falls.Parkwolf’s New River Gorge ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
