New River Gorge in February: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 69/100 · #4 of 12 months

February is a solid shoulder-season month to visit New River Gorge National Park: crowds run 16% of the July peak (43,642 average visits), days average 44°F with 10.8 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Crowds in February

New River Gorge averages 43,642 recreation visits in February — 16% of what July, the peak month, draws — the second-quietest month of the year. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind — this is genuine quiet-season territory.

Weather & daylight

Expect cold conditions (highs average 44°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 25°F). Average precipitation is 3.3″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 10.8 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station OAK HILL, WV US (4 mi from park coordinates, 2,040 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of February.

What to pack for New River Gorge in February

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

• Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 25°F, below freezing
• Packable rain jacket — 3.3″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

Looking for a better window? The computed best months for New River Gorge are March and April.

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in February · Last verified 2026-07-16