Grandview
Beckley, WV
The southern rim of the New River Gorge, where the river makes a wide horseshoe bend below the main overlook; rhododendrons bloom here in June.
Grandview in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve near Beckley, West Virginia, is a viewing area on the rim of the gorge. The Main Overlook sits about 1,400 feet (430 meters) above the New River; on a clear day the National Park Service says you can see about 7 miles (11 kilometers) of the river and its watershed. Look for the "Great Bend," a large bend in the river that railroad engineers building the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway named in the early 1870s.
The Main Overlook is wheelchair accessible and about 500 feet (150 meters) from the parking lot. The North Overlook is usually quieter, and a wooden stairway leads to a rocky outcrop at Turkey Spur Overlook that can be slippery when wet. The Grandview Rim Trail links the overlooks over 1.6 miles (2.6 kilometers). Purple Catawba rhododendrons usually bloom in May and the white great rhododendrons in June to July; timing varies from year to year.
The visitor center is normally open only from June to August. From I-64 (exit 129 or 129B), follow Route 9 north for about 6 miles (10 kilometers). Camping is not allowed at Grandview; Little Beaver State Park, about a ten-minute drive away, has a campground.
- Nearest town
- Beckley, WV
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 37.8316, -81.0637
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Little Beaver State Park CampgroundCampsite6 mi from GrandviewTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Shady Rest RV ParkMotorhome stopover6 mi from GrandviewMotorhomes
- Hilltop SunriseMotorhome stopover10 mi from Grandview · 2 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Lake Stephens RV CampgroundMotorhome stopover13 mi from Grandview · 100 pitchesMotorhomes
- Arrowhead Bike Farm CampgroundCampsite14 mi from Grandview
- Burning Rock CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Grandview
All campsites in West Virginia · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Grandview?
Grandview is in Beckley, WV, at GPS 37.8316, -81.0637. It is about 9 mi from Thurmond.
Can you camp near Grandview?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Grandview Sandbar Campsite, about 2 mi away; within 25 mi there are 39 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Grandview?
Grandview is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: New River Gorge National Park and Steel arch, high bog and sandstone fins – by camper through the mountains of West Virginia from the New River Gorge to Canaan Valley.
What is there to see near Grandview?
Places worth a stop nearby: Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine (8 mi), Thurmond Historic District (9 mi), Glade Creek Grist Mill, Babcock State Park (12 mi) and New River Gorge Bridge (16 mi).
When is the best time to visit Grandview?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)