TL;DR: The upper Kaymoor Miners Trail in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is closed Monday through Thursday through November 19, 2026 for rehabilitation, while Friday through Sunday access remains open and weekday visitors can still reach the lower trail and historic stairs via the Kaymoor Trail from Fayette Station.

What closed and when

According to WVNS, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve announced the schedule on June 24, 2026 through a post on its Facebook page.

The closure applies from now through November 19, 2026, according to WVNS.

The affected route is the Kaymoor Miners Trail, according to WVNS.

The closure is in effect Monday through Thursday each week while trail rehabilitation work takes place, according to WVNS.

The area will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday while work is done, according to WVNS.

According to WJLS News Network, the weekday closure began immediately and continues through Nov. 19.

According to WOAY-TV, the National Park Service is advising visitors of temporary closures along the Kaymoor Miners Trail.

Park officials thanked visitors for patience and cooperation while rehabilitation efforts are completed, according to WJLS News Network.

Park officials thank the public for patience as rehabilitation work continues, according to WOAY-TV.

The announcement originated in Glen Jean, West Virginia, according to WVNS.

Exact section under repair

According to WVNS, the affected part lies between the Kaymoor Miners Trail parking area and the place where the trail intersects with the Kaymoor Trail.

According to WJLS News Network, the section between the Kaymoor Miners Trail parking area and its intersection with the Kaymoor Trail will be closed Monday through Thursday.

According to WOAY-TV, the trail will be closed Monday through Thursday between the Kaymoor Miners Trail parking area and the intersection with the Kaymoor Trail.

Hikers should treat the parking-area entrance to that junction as unavailable on workdays, and plan entry elsewhere or on another day.

Visitors should check posted signs at the parking area before entering, because work boundaries can be marked on the ground.

Do not step past a posted work boundary to inspect progress.

Turn back when you reach a closed segment, even when no equipment is visible.

Respect crew space and give workers room to operate.

Why crews are rebuilding the trail

According to WVNS, the closure will let worn sections of the trail be stabilized and rebuilt.

According to WOAY-TV, the closure will allow trail crews to rebuild and stabilize heavily worn sections of the popular route.

According to WJLS News Network, the closure will allow trail crews to rebuild and stabilize heavily worn sections of the route to improve safety and preserve the trail for future visitors.

The work is described as trail rehabilitation work, according to WVNS.

The work is described as rehabilitation work getting underway, according to WJLS News Network.

The work is described as rehabilitation work continuing through the season, according to WOAY-TV.

Worn tread can become uneven, loose, or difficult to follow, so rebuilding helps restore a more stable walking surface.

Stabilization work helps protect the route for future visitors, as described by the park account reported by WJLS News Network.

Safety improvement is an stated purpose of the project, according to WJLS News Network.

Visitors should expect active work zones on Mondays through Thursdays.

Visitors should expect noise, materials, tools, or temporary barriers near the repair segment.

Keep children and pets closely supervised near any work boundary.

Weekday detour that stays open

According to WVNS, people can use the Kaymoor Trail from Fayette Station to access the stairs for the bottom half of the Kaymoor Miners Trail during times when the trail is closed.

According to WOAY-TV, visitors wanting to access the lower portion of the Kaymoor Miners Trail and its historic stairs during the week can still do so by using the Kaymoor Trail from Fayette Station.

According to WJLS News Network, access to the lower portion of the Kaymoor Miners Trail and the historic Kaymoor stairs will remain available during the week, and hikers can reach those areas by using the Kaymoor Trail from Fayette Station.

Weekend access to the affected section will remain open, according to WJLS News Network.

Use Fayette Station as the weekday starting point when your goal is the lower trail or historic stairs.

Follow the Kaymoor Trail from Fayette Station toward the connection with the lower Kaymoor Miners Trail.

Stay on the marked Kaymoor Trail rather than creating a shortcut around the closed segment.

Allow extra time for the longer weekday approach.

Tell someone your intended route and expected return time before leaving.

Carry a map or saved route description because detours can feel unfamiliar.

How to plan a weekend visit

Friday, Saturday and Sunday access provides the simplest option for hikers who want the usual upper entrance, according to WVNS reporting on the open days.

Arrive through the Kaymoor Miners Trail parking area on Friday, Saturday or Sunday when you want the direct upper access.

Check the park Facebook page and website for current status before traveling.

Confirm that Friday-through-Sunday opening remains in effect for your planned date.

Expect more visitors on open days because weekday users may shift their trips.

Start early to allow daylight for the return trip.

Bring water and good walking shoes for the hike.

Wear sturdy footwear with traction suitable for stairs, loose tread, and forest terrain.

Pace the group conservatively when stairs and grades are involved.

How to plan a Monday through Thursday visit

Monday through Thursday visitors should not plan to enter at the Kaymoor Miners Trail parking area for the closed upper segment.

Begin instead from Fayette Station and use the Kaymoor Trail connection described by park officials.

Confirm directions to Fayette Station before departure.

Download or print maps in advance because mobile service may be limited in the gorge.

Check trailhead information boards for closure notices, maps, and safety messages.

Photograph the posted map at the trailhead for reference during the hike.

Stay with your group through junctions.

Stop and confirm the route at every unsigned or unclear junction.

Skills for worn-trail and work-zone safety

Walk through the center of durable tread where the route is open, rather than widening the edges.

Avoid stepping on freshly worked material, loose fill, or stacked supplies.

Do not move cones, tape, fencing, or signs.

Do not enter a closed section to retrieve dropped items without crew direction.

Yield to crew members carrying tools or materials.

Step aside where footing is stable and wait for direction.

Keep packs, poles, and leashes clear of the work path.

Secure loose straps and gear that could snag on barriers or brush.

Readiness for stairs and gorge terrain

The lower Kaymoor Miners Trail includes historic stairs, according to WOAY-TV and WJLS News Network.

Treat stairs as a strenuous section and conserve energy for the climb out.

Use handrails where provided.

Place one foot securely before shifting weight on steps.

Shorten your stride on steep steps.

Rest before fatigue affects balance.

Drink water regularly during the hike.

Eat before energy drops.

Watch for slick surfaces after rain.

Test footing gently where leaves, mud, or moisture may reduce traction.

Leave-no-trace conduct during rehabilitation

Pack out all trash, food scraps, and hygiene items.

Stay on established trails and stairs.

Do not cut switchbacks.

Do not mark rocks, wood, signs, or historic structures.

Leave historic features undisturbed.

Observe historic stairs and mining-area remnants without removing pieces.

Keep noise low around other visitors and work crews.

Store food securely and keep the trailhead clean.

What to check before you go

According to WVNS, information about park closures and reopenings can appear on the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Facebook page and website in connection with park work announcements.

Monitor the park Facebook page for updates on the Kaymoor Miners Trail project.

Monitor the park website for updates on the Kaymoor Miners Trail project.

Confirm whether the Monday-through-Thursday pattern remains scheduled through November 19, 2026.

Confirm weekend operating details before a Friday, Saturday or Sunday trip.

Confirm Fayette Station access details before a weekday trip.

Save emergency contact information before entering areas with limited reception.

Share your itinerary, vehicle location, and expected return with a trusted contact.

Reassess plans when conditions, closures, or personal energy change.

Sources referenced