Parks Manager

National parks near McDowell County, West Virginia

McDowell County is one town for park planning. See national parks near Welch — it reaches the same parks.

The closest national park to McDowell County, West Virginia is New River Gorge National Park — about 51.9 mi (83.6 km) away, or roughly 1 hr 41 min of driving.

1 park is close enough to do as a day trip: New River Gorge.

National parks near McDowell County

Parks ranked by distance from McDowell County
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
New River Gorge National Park51.9 mi (83.6 km)1 hr 41 minDoable as a day trip
Great Smoky Mountains National Park167 mi (268 km)4 hr 24 minBest as a weekend
Shenandoah National Park192 mi (309 km)4 hr 59 minBest as a weekend
Mammoth Cave National Park249 mi (400 km)6 hr 20 minWorth a longer road trip
Congaree National Park256 mi (413 km)6 hr 31 minWorth a longer road trip
Cuyahoga Valley National Park263 mi (423 km)6 hr 41 minWorth a longer road trip
Point Pelee National Park317 mi (511 km)7 hr 58 minWorth a longer road trip
Indiana Dunes National Park413 mi (664 km)10 hr 13 minWorth a longer road trip
Rouge National Park465 mi (749 km)11 hr 28 minWorth a longer road trip
Gateway Arch National Park475 mi (764 km)11 hr 41 minWorth a longer road trip

Towns and cities in McDowell County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to McDowell County?

New River Gorge National Park, about 51.9 mi (83.6 km) away and roughly 1 hr 41 min of driving.

Which national parks can I visit from McDowell County in a day?

New River Gorge National Park — all within about three hours' drive.