Bluestone National Scenic River
The Bluestone National Scenic River protects a 10.5-mile (16.9 km) section of the Bluestone River in Summers and Mercer counties of southern West Virginia.
A national park site, 8 mi north of Hinton
Visits rose 70% in 2025
The National Park Service counted 12,446 visitors in 2025, up from 7,327 the year before. Visitors ↓
Hinton is the nearest base
Hinton is 8 miles south, with 8 places to stay. Where to stay ↓
Best months: Apr and May
April and May are mild and quieter than average, with highs of 68–76°. When to go ↓
An airport 12 miles away
Raleigh County Memorial (BKW) has airline service, about 12 miles from Bluestone National Scenic River.
Written from National Park Service visitor counts, NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia. Updated when the Park Service posts a new month.
Crowds and weather, month by month
Bars: average monthly visitors, 2022–2025. Line: the typical afternoon high. Green months are mild and quieter than average.
Bluestone National Scenic River
The Bluestone National Scenic River protects a 10.5-mile (16.9 km) section of the Bluestone River in Summers and Mercer counties of southern West Virginia. It was created 26 October 1988 under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and is protected by the National Park Service.
The nation's Wild and Scenic Rivers System was established for the purpose of protecting for the present, and preserving for the future, undeveloped, free-flowing rivers that possess “Outstandingly Remarkable” scenic, natural, cultural, geological and recreational values. Currently one hundred fifty six entire rivers or sections of rivers are protected under this system of publicly owned water resources.
- Type
- National park site
- Run by
- National Park Service
- Wikipedia readers
- 1.5K a year
- Official site
- nps.gov/blue
Before you go
Where to stay near Bluestone National Scenic River
The closest towns with hotels, motels or campgrounds are Hinton (8) and Beckley (17).
Hinton
The closest town with somewhere to stay.
2,149 people
8 mi south of Sandstone Visitor Center · 6 mi to the park
Compare 8 towns
| Town | From the visitor center | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hinton | 8 mi south | 10 min | 8 2 hotels · 1 motel · 1 inn or B&B · 1 lodge or cabins · 1 campground · 2 RV parks | 2,149 | $93K | — |
| Beckley | 14 mi west | 20 min | 17 17 hotels | 16,373 | $158K | D− |
| Fayetteville | 23 mi northwest | 35 min | 22 10 hotels · 2 inns & B&Bs · 3 lodges & cabins · 7 campgrounds | 2,721 | $184K | C+ |
| Alderson | 15 mi east | 20 min | 5 1 hotel · 1 motel · 3 campgrounds | 925 | $130K | — |
| Ghent 25% vacation homes | 16 mi southwest | 25 min | 6 6 hotels | 290 | — | — |
| Mabscott | 17 mi west | 25 min | 6 6 hotels | 1,259 | $160K | — |
| Shady Spring | 12 mi southwest | 20 min | 3 3 hotels | 3,381 | $189K | — |
| Glen Jean | 17 mi northwest | 25 min | 4 1 lodge or cabins · 3 campgrounds | 34 | — | — |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service, from the visitor center
Also near Bluestone National Scenic River
Other well-known places within 70 miles. Numbered ones are on the map above.
Big draw36 mi Park & preserveAppalachian Trail3.0M visitors a year
129 mi National PreserveNew River Gorge National Park and Preserve2.0M visitors a year
69 mi ParkwayBlue Ridge Parkway16.5M visitors a year
39 mi Stadium & arenaLane Stadium
41 mi LandmarkProject Greek Island
228 mi LakeMountain Lake
68 mi MountainMount Rogers
326 mi Park & preserveThe Summit Bechtel Family National Scout ReservePhoto credits
Appalachian Trail: Paulba. Original uploader was Paulbalegend at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · New River Gorge National Park and Preserve: NKS22, Public domain · Blue Ridge Parkway: Ken Thomas, Public domain · Lane Stadium: User:B, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Project Greek Island: Z22, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mountain Lake: Rolfmueller, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Mount Rogers: USDA-FS, Public domain · The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve: Lisa Strader, CC BY 2.0
12,446 visitors in 2025
Every full year the Park Service has counted. 2020 (gold) was the pandemic year. Green is the record (2019).
Visiting Bluestone National Scenic River
What town is Bluestone National Scenic River near?
Hinton, WV, about 8 miles south.
When is the best time to visit Bluestone National Scenic River?
April and May, with highs of 68–76°. July is the busiest month (about 2,771 visitors).
How many people visit Bluestone National Scenic River each year?
12,446 in 2025, according to the National Park Service. The record is 37,663, set in 2019.
What is the closest airport to Bluestone National Scenic River?
Raleigh County Memorial (BKW), about 12 miles away. The nearest big hub is Piedmont Triad (GSO), about 128 miles.
Where should I stay near Bluestone National Scenic River?
Hinton (8 mi, 8 places to stay), Beckley (14 mi, 17 places to stay) and Fayetteville (23 mi, 22 places to stay).
Tips from people in Hinton
No tips yet. Ask, or answer, in Hinton’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · National Park Service visitor use statistics · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.