SANDSTONE, W.Va. (WV News) — The nation’s newest national park recently grew by nearly 1,000 acres.
The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve officially added 963 acres, increasing the amount of public land available for hunting and outdoor recreation activities.
The additional acreage was acquired by The Conservation Fund in November 2021 and was recently transferred to the National Parks Service thanks to funding from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The added acres are in an area commonly known as Irish Mountain. This historically significant swath of land is known for its links to Irish immigrants who settled locally in the late 1800s.
Visible from the east bank of the New River, land within the added parcel extends steeply up in elevation from 1,600 feet to 2,700 feet, offering a sweeping view of the upper river canyon.
“The familiar John Denver lyric, ‘Life is old there, older than the trees,’ is emblematic for the New River Gorge,” said The Conservation Fund Vice President and West Virginia Director Joe Hankins.
“This is a place with ancient geology, a cultural history of immigration, hard work and community — and a river that flows through the very heart of West Virginia.”
West Virginia officials attended a ceremony marking the expansion.
“I am committed to continuing to enhance the New River Gorge experience for visitors and sportsmen, and I look forward to working alongside partners like The Conservation Fund to do so,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.
“Today’s announcement that 963 acres in the Irish Mountain area will be added to the preserve is great news for the entire Mountain State and the visitors from around the world who come to enjoy our cherished park,” said Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. “Announcements like this are part of the reason I worked to ensure permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund — to protect and conserve our public lands and provide important hunting and fishing opportunities for all Americans.”
“Adding new land to New River Gorge National Park is a win for West Virginia,” said Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va. “These additional 963 acres will provide more recreational opportunities and economic growth, while preserving our rich history and culture. Last year, New River Gorge National Park had a record number of visitors, and with this addition of land, more people will be able to enjoy its beauty. West Virginia is truly a wild and wonderful place, and I look forward to visiting this new stretch in our first national park.”
A federal report released in June 2022 found visitor spending in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in West Virginia increased more than $43 million in 2021 over the previous year.
According to the “2021 National Park Service Visitor Spending Effects Report” published by the NPS, 2.2 million national park visitors spent an estimated $109 million in West Virginia in 2021.
These expenditures supported a total of 1,450 jobs, $42.9 million in labor income, $71.2 million in value added and $131 million in economic output in the West Virginia economy.
This is up from $65.3 million in total national park visitor spending in 2021.
More than $82 million of 2021’s national park visitor spending in West Virginia was related to the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.
In 2021, 1.7 million park visitors spent an estimated $82.6 million in local gateway regions while visiting the New River Gorge National River.
These expenditures supported a total of 1,090 jobs, $32.3 million in labor income, $53.9 million in value added, and $100 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding New River Gorge National River.
In 2020, prior to the area’s official designation as a national park, visitors to the area spent just $47.4 million.