The Canyon Rim Visitor Center offers a birds-eye-view of the New River and the New River Gorge Bridge. The canyon view looks out over a 70,000 acre park that follows along this West Virginia river for miles. The Gauley River, just to the north, and the New River are famous for the white water challenges. Along this section of the New River, the elevation drops 750 feet in 50 miles and is one of the finest rafting rivers east of the Mississippi. Classes range from I to V and experienced outfitters are located throughout the area.
     At the visitor center, a boardwalk and stairs lead down to the viewing area and affords a fantastic view of the New River Gorge. The center also offers a trip back in time with local history and the story behind construction of the longest steel arch span bridge in the United States.