The National Park Service is inviting members of the public who have an interest in climbing in national parks in southern West Virginia to attend a listening session at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center in Lansing on Saturday, April 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The purpose of the session is for park officials to gather information on issues related to climbing and to hear ideas from the public on how to address these issues. The event will kick-off with a brief presentation and move to an open-house format.

Cliffs and boulders in northern New River Gorge National River and Gauley River National Recreation Area are part of one of the largest rock-climbing destination areas in the eastern U.S.

Staff will provide basic information, answer questions, and capture ideas and issues brought forth by the public. Different listening stations will be set-up throughout the visitor center, covering topics such as parking, trail-head facilities, access trails, resource protection, crowding, and climbing routes.

There are over 1,600 established climbing routes in New River Gorge National River, making the park one of the largest climbing areas in the eastern United States. The extensive cliff that rims much of the western portion of the gorge is composed of Nuttall sandstone, which is renowned among rock climbers. Since the establishment of the national river in 1978, the area’s popularity has blossomed to become one of America’s premier climbing destinations.

Any area residents, business owners, local officials, organizational representatives and all others interested in climbing in the parks, are encouraged to provide their comments. Those who are unable to attend the event on April 8 can provide their comments by email or mail to New River Gorge National River, attn: Claire Rozdilski, P.O. Box 246, Glen Jean, WV 25846. Attendees who require additional information or special assistance to attend and participate in this meeting should contact Rozdilski at 304-465-6526 before April 3.

Find out more about Rock Climbing in West Virginia