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

Best window · VisitWhen score 72/100 · #2 of 12 months

November is one of the best months of the year to visit New River Gorge National Park: crowds run 33% of the July peak (92,564 average visits). Weather: highs average 54°F and lows 33°F, with 2.9″ of precipitation and 10.1 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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New River Gorge in November: what the park service says

November cuts New River Gorge down to its two year-round visitor centers. On the park's posted schedule, Canyon Rim and Sandstone are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, while Thurmond Depot and Grandview close from November through May. Park Headquarters in Glen Jean is administrative offices only, weekdays, with no visitor amenities.

Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.

Crowds in November

New River Gorge averages 92,564 recreation visits in November — 33% of what July, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly.

Weather & daylight

Days are cool (highs average 54°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 33°F). Average precipitation is 2.9″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 10.1 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 November.

What to pack for New River Gorge in November

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

• Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 33°F
• Packable rain jacket — 2.9″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Headlamp — only 10.1 hours of daylight in mid-November (compare other options)
• Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

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Also at their best in November

Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

• Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
• Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
• Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100
• Arches in November — 44% of peak crowds, highs 56°F, score 71/100

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-24