New River Gorge Eco Tours

01/30/2025

Imbolc is almost here, and we're celebrating the return of the light with a special offer: A FREE New River Gorge Eco Tour!

Imbolc is an ancient Gaelic holiday that celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of spring. This year it falls on February 1, which is halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

Like many of you, we've been trapped inside by the ice and snow for too long this winter, and we're ready to get outside.

☀️ We can't wait for the Eco Tour season to begin, so we're offering a free Eco Tour when you book a 3 night (or longer) stay in April!

Master naturalists Shawn & Amy will be your guides on a New River Gorge National Park trail where we will experience the reawakening of the forest together.

🌿 Use the discount code ECOTOUR to add your free New River Gorge Eco Tour and get 10% off your April lodging to boot.

We'll schedule your Eco Tour at a time that works for you and pick the trail that best suits your interests and abilities.

New River Gorge Eco Tours is licensed by the National Park Service, insured, and follows sustainable tourism principles. Our goal is to provide every guest with an unforgettable experience and a deeper understanding of what makes this place so special.

This promo ends at midnight on Imbolc, Feb. 1, 2025. Book now: https://www.bookings.lafayetteflats.com

01/27/2025

Waiting impatiently for spring.

While we're not offering tours this time of year, we still are out on the trails of the New River Gorge National Park whenever the opportunity presents itself. We've had a very snowy January and even though much of it is covered in a thick blanket of white, nature reveals itself in small and quiet w...

01/07/2025

Today's view from the Canyon Rim VC.

11/17/2024

On today's Mary Draper Ingles Experience, twenty Eco Tourists were treated to an unforgettable visit from Mary herself (portrayed by local living history presenter Karen Vuranch) and then retraced part of her route through the New River Gorge along the Stone Cliff trail. We reflected on what had changed since her escape in 1755, and marveled at how much has stayed the same. Participants also had the opportunity to sample nuts and berries that Mrs. Ingles may have used for food during her ordeal as she passed through the gorge during that long-ago November.

We love sharing our love of the New River Gorge with curious people, and today was extra special because of all the participant's shared interest in this amazing true story of survival.

10/24/2024

Today was the last New River Gorge Eco Tour of the season. We took our Eco Tourists to see the bone-dry but still beautiful Butchers Branch waterfall. Fall colors were at their absolute peak today and the weather couldn't have been better.

Our last event of the year will be the Mary Draper Ingles Experience on November 16. Spots are limited but tickets are still available through Eventbrite. The link is in our profile.

10/01/2024

Join us for a very special event on November 16 as we pay tribute to the amazing courage and determination of Mary Draper Ingles. Hear the story from Mary herself (portrayed by a local living history presenter) and walk in her footsteps along the Stone Cliff Trail during an immersive guided experience that will open your mind to the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of her incredible journey.

Reserve your spot on Eventbrite by clicking this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mary-draper-ingles-walk-experience-tickets-868520256467

08/29/2024

Calling all curious nature lovers! Today is your last chance to book the last regularly scheduled New River Gorge Eco Tour of the Summer! Join us on the Burnwood Trail tomorrow at 9:00 AM. Save your spot on Eventbrite.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-river-gorge-group-eco-tour-guided-forest-walk-open-registration-tickets-868355764467

08/26/2024

Gardeners and naturalists agree that the Tree of Heaven is not very heavenly, but it sure does attract some fancy-looking visitors!

This invasive species takes over ecosystems and can out-compete native trees for light and nutrients (and it smells bad!). The Ailanthus, or "Tree of Heaven" is more than a nuisance, it is very bad for the long-term health of our forests. The tree has been spreading throughout North America for nearly a century, and over the years several insects that have adapted to using it for food or shelter. Two of these, the Ailanthnus webworm moth and the Spotted Lanternfly are brightly-colored and showy.

Thankfully the Spotted Lanternfly has not yet made it to the New River Gorge, but we do see the Ailanthus webworm moth from time to time.

Want to find out more about how invasive species affect our National Park? Join us for the summer's last New River Gorge Eco Tour this Friday, August 30 at 9:00AM.

You can register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-river-gorge-group-eco-tour-guided-forest-walk-open-registration-tickets-868355764467

08/24/2024

Of all of the Sumac Tree species we have in and around the New River Gorge, Smooth Sumac is the one we see least.

It, along with its cousins Winged Sumac and Staghorn Sumac, produce a large cluster of berries that have been used for food by people for thousands of years. These berries can be dried and used as flavoring, or soaked into water to make a drink that tastes EXACTLY like pink lemonade.

Look for these trees along roadways and other clearings. Or come on a New River Gorge Eco Tour and we'll show them to you up-close and personal!

Our last regularly-scheduled group Eco Tour is next Friday, August 30 at 9:00AM. You can register to join us on our Eventbrite page. Here is the link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-river-gorge-group-eco-tour-guided-forest-walk-open-registration-tickets-868355764467

08/23/2024

Boy, does this flower get a bad rap.

Goldenrod, the beautiful and plentiful plant that emerges in late summer and stays with us through the fall, is often falsely accused of making people sneeze. Goldenrods are primarily insect-pollinated - their flowers attract bees and other pollinators. The pollen grains they produce are large and heavy, so they stay near the plant. They also produce less pollen because they don’t have to rely on wind to carry it to other far-off plants.

While it is certainly possible to be allergic to one of the several species of goldenrod found in the New River Gorge, most people would need to touch the plant or put their face near it to get pollen into their nose and trigger their allergies.

In comparison, ragweed (second photo) is primarily wind-pollinated, meaning the plants rely on wind to disperse their pollen. As a result, they produce massive amounts of tiny pollen grains that the breeze then carries every which way and beyond. Ragweed stays a more neutral color and therefore isn't as noticeable as Goldenrod, but it often grows in the same areas.

So, please, if you have a sneezing fit while out in nature this fall, put the blame where it belongs. Goldenrod says "don't hate me because I'm beautiful."

This public service message was brought to you by New River Gorge Eco Tours.

08/22/2024

The big blooms are here!

As we transition from summer to fall, our wildflowers get bolder and larger. They are competing for the attention of pollinators and are unafraid to let it all hang out. Ironweed, with its purple flowers have been with us for a few weeks, but Joe Pye W**d is coming on strong now. The yellow flowers of Wingstem will soon be joined by a slew of other large yellow bloomers like Jerusalem Artichoke, Cutleaf coneflower and Black-Eyed Susan.

While we love this amazing display that nature puts on every year, it does indicate the approaching end of summer, and the end of the New River Gorge Eco Tour season. Join us for the last public tour of the summer next Friday, August 30 at 9:00 AM.

Look in the comments for the link to our Eventbrite page where you can sign up, or visit our website at NewRiverGorgeEcoTours.com

08/19/2024

Fall is creeping up on us!

This Red Maple leaf we saw yesterday is a good indication that summer is waning and fall will be here before we know it. Then we looked at the calendar and realized that the last public New River Gorge Eco Tour of the summer is next week!

That's right, our last regularly-scheduled tour will be held at 9:00 AM on Friday, August 30. Please join us as we take one last stroll through the woods to see what nature is up to as it gets ready for the big fall color extravaganza. Here is a link to our Eventbrite page where you can register for this event:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-river-gorge-group-eco-tour-guided-forest-walk-open-registration-tickets-868355764467

08/06/2024

The smallest things are sometimes the most beautiful. Slow down and take a close look at nature this week.

We'll be doing just that on Friday when we host another public group New River Gorge Eco Tour. Join us at 9:00 AM on the Burnwood Trail. The link to our Eventbrite registration page is in our profile.

08/02/2024

A lovely Cardinal Flower, seen on a recent New River Gorge Eco Tour.

Cardinal flower is a brilliant scarlet-colored native wildflower that grows in marshes, stream banks and low woods. Its extremely showy blossoms can be recognized at considerable distance. Few native plants have flowers of such intense color as this common herbaceous perennial. Since most insects find it difficult to navigate the long tubular flowers, Cardinal Flower depends on hummingbirds, which feed on the nectar, for pollination. Its common name alludes to the bright red robes worn by Roman Catholic cardinals.

Late summer wildflowers like these are abundant around the New River Gorge National Park if you know where to look. We do, and we'll take you there!

Sign up for our next public group eco tour on our Eventbrite page:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-river-gorge-group-eco-tour-guided-forest-walk-open-registration-tickets-868510687847

07/26/2024

Sometimes, right here in this Appalachian forest, we see things that look positively tropical. There is no better example than the Purple Passionflower. Not only is the flower stunning, the fruit that develops 2 or 3 months after it blooms is a delicious treat. The plant grows as a vine up to 25 feet long, and loves old fence lines like those that exist on several historic National Park sites within the New River Gorge.

Have you ever seen a passionflower or eaten its fruit? Are you curious about it now? Our naturalist-guided forest walks are made for curious people like you. Join us on our next public tour on August 9!

Here is the link where you can sign up:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-river-gorge-group-eco-tour-guided-forest-walk-open-registration-tickets-868510687847