When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool and green with the New River running high and fast; rhododendron blooms along the gorge in May and June.
Pack Rain shell, layers, and sturdy footwear for the gorge trails and the wet tramway landing.
Summer
Warm and clear, the prime window for the tramway, jet-boat tours, and the gorge overlook.
Pack Water, sun protection on the exposed overlook, and reservations for the lodge if staying overnight.
Fall
Spectacular hardwood color frames the New River Gorge, making the overlook one of the finest fall views in West Virginia.
Pack Warm layer, camera, and lodge or nearby campground reservations locked in well ahead for the color peak.
Winter
Cold and quiet; the lodge and restaurant stay open year-round but the tramway is seasonal.
Pack Insulation, traction for icy overlook paths, and the lodge as the primary base rather than outdoor activities.
Top things to do
New River Gorge overlook
The park's centerpiece: a viewpoint 585 feet above the New River offering one of the most dramatic river-gorge panoramas in the eastern United States. Hawks, eagles, and peregrine falcons are frequently spotted on the updrafts from the gorge.
Aerial tramway
The recently rebuilt tramway drops 800 feet in elevation over 1,100 feet of cable from the lodge level to the marina and river. Seasonal operation; check current dates. Connects the park's upper and lower areas where jet-boat tours and the marina operate.
Cliffside Trail and gorge hiking
Moderate trail options along the rim and through the hardwood forest above the New River, including the Cliffside Trail and the Lovers Leap Trail, plus the easy Hawks Nest Rail Trail running from Ansted along Mill Creek with seasonal waterfalls.
Anchor the day around New River Gorge overlook
Put permit timing ahead of ambition, then build the route around what is actually approved. For one day in Hawks Nest State Park, make New River Gorge overlook the non-negotiable, add Aerial tramway only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Cliffside Trail and gorge hiking as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with New River Gorge overlook: The park's centerpiece: a viewpoint 585 feet above the New River offering one of the most dramatic river-gorge panoramas in the eastern United States. Hawks, eagles.
- 2Add Aerial tramway: The recently rebuilt tramway drops 800 feet in elevation over 1,100 feet of cable from the lodge level to the marina and river. Seasonal operation; check current.
- 3Use Cliffside Trail and gorge hiking as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Hawks Nest's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around access
Plan the transfer before the trail list.
Plan your trip
2 quick tools, already seeded for Hawks Nest State Park. Tune the route, pack weight, weather margin, and overnight setup after the access plan is real.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Hawks Nest State Park packing list
0 of 15 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Hawks Nest State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- Season checkLayers for conditionsMoisture-wicking base layers, Rain jacket, Insulated jacket, 1 more
Checklist mode
15 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Hawks Nest
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Hawks Nest
The buying guides that match what Hawks Nest asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
Hawks Nest State Park Lodge is the primary lodging: 31 rooms with canyon views, a restaurant open for three meals, free breakfast and WiFi, and parking. Reserve through the West Virginia State Parks system or directly by calling 1-800-CALL-WVA. No camping is available inside Hawks Nest; nearby Babcock State Park offers the nearest state park campground.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Hawks Nest has no camping; book the lodge or use nearby Babcock State Park.
The park has a 31-room lodge but no campground. For camping near Hawks Nest, Babcock State Park is the nearest West Virginia state park campground. Book the lodge well in advance for fall color weekends.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Lodge rooms are bookable through West Virginia State Parks at wvstateparks.com or by calling 1-800-CALL-WVA. Book fall color weekends (October) as far ahead as possible.
- No camping is available at Hawks Nest State Park; the park offers only lodge lodging.
- The 31-room lodge includes a restaurant, free breakfast, WiFi, and gorge-view rooms; fall weekends fill months ahead.
- Babcock State Park is the nearest West Virginia state park campground for visitors who prefer to camp.
Where to book or verify
Official WV State Parks page for the Hawks Nest Lodge; also call 1-800-CALL-WVA.
Main WV State Parks portal for nearby campgrounds including Babcock State Park.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Hawks Nest State Park Lodge
Details- Booking
- Book at wvstateparks.com or call 1-800-CALL-WVA; fall weekends fill months ahead.
- Season
- Open year-round.
- Sites
- 31 lodge rooms with gorge views, on-site restaurant, free breakfast and WiFi.
- The only overnight option inside the park; pairing with the tramway and jet-boat tour makes for a full visit.
Babcock State Park campground (nearby)
Details- Booking
- Reserve through West Virginia State Parks at wvstateparks.com.
- Season
- Spring through fall; confirm dates with Babcock State Park.
- Sites
- Tent and RV sites at Babcock State Park, the nearest state park campground to Hawks Nest.
- The closest camping alternative when the Hawks Nest Lodge is full or when camping is preferred.
Getting there and practical info
Make the transfer plan before the trail plan.
Weather windows, boat schedules, flight buffers, and backup days shape what is realistic.
Getting there
Get to Hawks Nest State Park by solving the transfer first.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- West Virginia
Arrival note
Hawks Nest State Park is on U.S. Route 60 in Ansted, Nicholas County, West Virginia, about 20 miles east of Oak Hill and 50 miles southeast of Charleston.
Access note
The park sits adjacent to the New River Gorge National Park area; both are accessible on the same Route 60 corridor.
Car strategy
A car is required; the lodge, overlook, and tramway are concentrated at the main park entrance.
Pair this with lodging: the best base is the one that protects the departure window, pickup point, or weather buffer.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
No statewide permit; the WV Film Office brokers locations, and state park rules prohibit commercial enterprise, photography included, without written DNR permission.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Legal under FAA rules; commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: photographing people and property visible from public space is legal in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hawks Nest State Park have camping?
No. Hawks Nest has a 31-room lodge but no campground. The nearest state park camping is at Babcock State Park. For camping inside the New River Gorge area, the national park has several campgrounds nearby.
What is the aerial tramway at Hawks Nest?
The recently rebuilt tramway carries passengers 800 feet down in elevation over 1,100 feet of cable from the lodge level to the marina and river, where jet-boat tours, fishing, and a nature center operate seasonally.
Is Hawks Nest State Park near New River Gorge National Park?
Yes. The park borders the New River Gorge National Park area and sits above the same river. The two complement each other: Hawks Nest for the lodge, overlook, and tramway; the national park for whitewater, longer hikes, and the famous New River Gorge Bridge.
When is the best time to visit Hawks Nest State Park?
Fall, October in particular, when the hardwood forest frames the gorge overlook in color. The tramway operates spring through fall. Summer is the busiest window. Winter is quiet but the lodge stays open year-round.