Oak Hill, WV (WOAY) – The New River Gorge National Park has been named the number one underrated travel destination in the country by U.S. News and World Report, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced at a press conference on March 30th.
The publication selected the southern West Virginia park from more than 1,500 destinations evaluated nationwide.
Tourism already generates more than $9 billion annually statewide, with over $1 billion in direct spending in the Gorge region alone.
Chris Colin of ACE Adventure Resort said the designation reflects what locals have long known, and that the “underrated” label may not last.
“I don’t think it’s going to be underrated for much longer,” Colin said. “Sixty-five percent of the U.S. population is within a day’s drive of the New River Gorge. So once they find out that this place is here and what this place has going on, they’re going to get in the car and they’re going to come here.”
Becky Sullivan, Director of the New River Gorge Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, said the recognition has big economic implications across the region.
“It’s great for our economic development, it’s great for all of our outdoor recreation and all our lodging partners,” Sullivan said. “Our area and the New River Gorge covers multiple counties. So everybody feels the love when they shine the spotlight on the New River Gorge National Park.”
Sullivan added that new developments will support growing visitor numbers. “We’re going to get some new hotels, we’re going to get some new restaurants. So they will be able to support the crowds that are coming in.”
Colin pointed to Asheville, North Carolina as a model for what the New River Gorge region could become.
“If you look at Asheville, for example, Asheville back in the late eighties was a dead mountain town. You know, there was nothing there. Everything was boarded up. And look at Asheville now,” Colin said. “So I think this place is kind of in the early stages of that. Twenty, thirty years from now, I think this is going to be a major destination.”
According to Colin, the Gorge has seen roughly 800,000 more visitors over the past five years compared to the five years prior to the National Park designation.
