FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Fayette County visitors will soon have access to a popular rock-climbing area known as “Bubba City” or “Gateway to Sandstonia” which borders the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
The West Virginia Land Trust (WVLT) recently secured access to the 40-acre preserve located near the National Park Service Visitor Center in Fayetteville.
WVLT Conservation Project Manager Adam Webster told MetroNews Friday the site won’t officially open to the public until sometime next year.
“We still have some work to do to raise some of the money and to shore up some of the work that needs to be done to make it publicly accessible which would include a parking area, some signs and things like that,” he said.
Climbers have known about the rock formations for years, but gaining access across private land was an ongoing challenge, Webster said.
“The access has been in question through the years whether people will be able to park alongside the road in different areas, but now that we own this property, we are saying this will be permanently available for climbers to access,” he said.
Webster said future plans for the property include parking, signage and hiking opportunities.
“There’s a couple overlooks especially in the fall when the leaves are down, and you can see the New River. It’s just another really pretty spot along the Gorge that people can enjoy,” he said.
The preserve will be developed with support from donations and local volunteers.
“New River has over 1,400 named rock climbs and has become one of the most popular rock-climbing destinations in the country,” New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Superintendent Charles Sellars said in a statement. “Providing safe and environmentally conscious access points is vital to our visitors and our resource.”