Here's what makes America's newest national park worthy of its upgrade
CNN
West Virginia's New River Gorge, America's newest national park, is rich in natural and human history, and it's also a world-class destination for rafting, mountain biking and rock climbing.
(CNN) — Sometimes all it takes is a little name change to bring attention to an underappreciated park. At least, that's certainly the case with West Virginia's New River Gorge. Hidden within a 5,593-page omnibus spending bill in the final days of 2020 was a provision to reclassify this one-time national river as America's 63rd headliner national park. The designation provides added protections -- and new clout -- to 7,021 acres of Appalachian forest (with another 65,165 acres protected as a preserve). "These mountains are some of the oldest in the world, and despite its name, the New River is ancient," says Lizzie Watts, superintendent of New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.More Related News