GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve today began an approximately $11.8 million project—funded by the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund—to repair the Rend Trail and bridges. Partners from Friends of New River Gorge and National Park Foundation joined the National Park Service for a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the start of construction.
Local stakeholders gathered at the Minden Trailhead to highlight the benefits of the trail’s restoration, which will conserve the park’s historic landscape, strengthen regional tourism and restore access to a major recreational corridor. Public officials highlighted the positive impact the investment will have on both the park and the surrounding communities: In 2024, spending by park visitors generated an estimated $95.5 million for the local economy.
Signed into law by President Donald J. Trump in 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund provides significant funding to address priority maintenance and repair needs across the National Park System to ensure safe, resilient and accessible public lands for future generations.
“Rend Trail offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the history, communities and landscapes that shaped New River Gorge,” said Acting Superintendent Eric LaPrice. “Thanks to funding from the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund, this project will improve safety and access and ensure visitors can enjoy this remarkable trail for generations to come.”
The Rend Trail, formerly the Thurmond-Minden Trail, stretches 3.2 miles along the New River and Dunloup Creek with views of the historic downtown and community of Thurmond. Built in 1906 as a railroad line to haul coal, today’s recreational trail offers scenic views and crosses five historic railroad trestles, or bridges. Structural risks from aging infrastructure have led to partial closures along the trail, including one of the main bridges, and steep terrain prevents hikers and bikers from accessing the path continuously.
In addition to rehabilitating the multi-beam bridges, the project will repair key retaining walls, resurface the trail, reroute the path around Big Rock and rehabilitate the Thurmond and Minden/Oak Hill trailheads. Together, these investments will address public safety hazards, strengthen a major recreation route and reconnect the park to communities across Fayette County.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects more than 70,000 acres of land along the rugged whitewater and canyons of the New River. With endless scenic and recreational opportunities, the park serves as a gateway to West Virginia’s rich cultural and natural history.
