Parking
Use Canyon Rim Visitor Center parking lot off US 19 in Lansing; follow the sidewalk beside the large stone bulletin board. Restrooms, including an accessible restroom, are at the visitor center.
Overview
About Canyon Rim Boardwalk
Why go
- The short upper route reaches a bridge view by an accessible ramp.
- Restrooms are at the visitor center parking area.
Heads up
- The broader lower overlook requires 178 steps down and a strenuous climb back.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the New River Gorge map
Full mapElevation1,734–1,750 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
5 active New River Gorge alerts
- ClosureRend and Church Loop trails closedRend Trail is closed from both trailheads through approximately December 2027; Church Loop Trail is also closed because its only access is from Rend.Official details
- ClosureKaymoor Miners Trail weekday closureThe upper Kaymoor Miners Trail is closed Monday–Thursday through November 19 for trail rehabilitation.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
New River Gorge Tour Guide
Your drive to Canyon Rim Boardwalk, narrated.
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 trailhead
Canyon Rim and the Bridge0:00 / 0:32
“You're approaching the turnoff for Canyon Rim Visitor Center. This is the stop I'd choose for a full view of the New River Gorge Bridge without a long hike.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf New River Gorge Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Bridge Walk Beneath the Highway
- Burnwood's Picnic Area and Old Trees
- Fayette Station and the Boxer's Bridge
- The Otter’s Underwater Whiskers
- 92 audio storiesacross New River Gorge’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Black Bear, White-tailed Deer, Pileated Woodpecker, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 49 trails, 55 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“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!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Canyon Rim Boardwalk
A short gorge walk with a choiceCanyon Rim Boardwalk is a brief out-and-back from Canyon Rim Visitor Center parking to a wooden…
Canyon Rim Boardwalk is a brief out-and-back from Canyon Rim Visitor Center parking to a wooden deck above the New River Gorge, facing the New River Gorge Bridge. The upper route measures about 0.27 miles round trip from the lot, including the entrance sidewalk. The posted one-way figure is rounded to 0.1 mile. Give the upper visit 20–30 minutes; the lower stair spur takes extra time and effort.
The accessible way to the viewFrom the lot, follow the sidewalk beside the large stone bulletin board.
From the lot, follow the sidewalk beside the large stone bulletin board. A concrete ramp reaches the first viewing area, then a level boardwalk runs through trees to the upper deck. The bridge fills the view, but this upper perch shows less of the gorge below. The ramp and upper overlook are accessible.
The lower view costs 178 stepsAn optional stair branch drops 178 steps to the lower overlook, where the gorge opens more…
An optional stair branch drops 178 steps to the lower overlook, where the gorge opens more broadly around the bridge. Getting back means climbing those steps; this is the strenuous part, so the upper deck is a good finish if a steep stair climb does not suit your group. The lower stair spur is not included in the 0.27-mile distance.
Parking, restrooms, and dogsPark at Canyon Rim Visitor Center off US 19 in Lansing and follow the sidewalk by the bulletin…
Park at Canyon Rim Visitor Center off US 19 in Lansing and follow the sidewalk by the bulletin board. Restrooms, including an accessible restroom, are at the visitor center. Leashed pets may use park trails on a physical leash no longer than six feet, but pets cannot enter the visitor center.
Wildlife
Wildlife in New River Gorge
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.
