Fayetteville is the town I would choose if New River Gorge is the main reason for your West Virginia trip. It is small enough to feel relaxed but close enough to the national park that hiking, viewpoints and rafting can shape the entire visit.
Why stay here?
The biggest advantage is location. The New River Gorge Bridge is nearby, park areas are easy to reach by car and outdoor outfitters have long made Fayetteville a base for adventure in the gorge.
The town itself has cafés, restaurants and independent businesses, so you can return from a day outside without feeling stranded at an isolated highway hotel.
Do not rush through
Many visitors arrive, photograph the bridge and leave. I would give Fayetteville at least a night if your schedule allows. Have dinner in town, walk around a little and start the next morning early enough to reach a trail before the busiest part of the day.
My ideal visit
Combine Fayetteville with Canyon Rim, Grandview and one longer hike or rafting trip. Add Thurmond if you enjoy history. The result feels much more complete than treating New River Gorge as a single roadside viewpoint.
For a small town, Fayetteville carries a lot of West Virginia’s modern outdoor identity.