Late last year, when the Senate passed its pandemic-related aid package, it included legislation that created the nation’s 63rd national park at New River Gorge. The New River has always been a popular destination for tourists, with an estimated one million people visiting annually, and is expected to be even more popular with its new designation.
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But even with an influx of visitors coming, there is a way for you to enjoy the splendors of the New River, and the new national park, all from the confines of your own private island. Yes, your own private island.
Located at the confluence of the New and Greenbrier Rivers, you’ll find The Cabin on Coney Island.
The Airbnb cabin has three bedrooms, two with single queen size beds, and a third with three single beds, and one and a half baths.
There’s a full kitchen for meal preparation, and dishes, silverware, a microwave, and a coffee machine are all provided.
The cabin has a full patio and wrap-around porches available for relaxing. It accommodates up to 10 guests and runs $332 a night. There is a twist though: The island is only accessible by boat, so you need to either have your own access to watercraft, or hire a local ferry service.
On the island, you can enjoy the seclusion of your own access to 7 acres of sandy beaches or explore your own forested trails.
You will also have easy access, via watercraft, to all the other opportunities in the national park — and there are plenty.
The New River is popular for kayaking. Near the island, the waterway flows north and offers peaceful paddling while you’re surrounded by the rich, lush forest and the Appalachian Mountains. You’ll find your way to the Swell Mountain Forest and Brooks Falls. If you’re a beginner to intermediate kayaker, this is where you’ll want to stop or turn around, as the park’s rapids increase up ahead.
Another popular site is Sandstone Falls, the largest waterfall on the New River. The falls is the beginning of the river’s final rush through the gorge before it meets up with the Gauley River to form the Kanawha River.
Pipestem Resort State Park is close to the national park and is where you’ll find the popular zip lines that will take you directly across the Bluestone River Gorge. Hikers will find plenty of opportunities to explore. Trail lengths and levels of difficulty range accordingly, with all hikers of any level sure to be challenged. You can find trail maps at any of the four park visitor centers.
The owners of the Cabin on Coney Island do offer extended stay packages if one night is not enough. To see more beautiful photos of the interior and exterior of the cabin, or to book your stay, visit the cabin’s page on Airbnb.com. And for more inspiration, consider:
