The New River Gorge was given National Park Service protection in 1978 as a national river, and was expanded to New River Gorge National Park & Preserve — this country's newest national park — in the plague year of 2020 courtesy of legislation drafted by Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito.

The newest U.S. National Park is New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia, which was officially designated on December 27, 2020. While the area had been protected as a "National River" since 1978, its redesignation as the 63rd National Park was part of a larger COVID-19 relief and government spending bill. Since its establishment, the park has seen a massive surge in popularity, known for its world-class whitewater rafting and the iconic New River Gorge Bridge (one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere). As of March 2026, there have been no new additions to the "National Park" roster, though several "National Monuments" and "National Historic Sites" have been created. In 2026, there is ongoing legislative discussion about elevating other sites like the Ocmulgee Mounds in Georgia to National Park status, but New River Gorge remains the "baby" of the family. This designation is significant because it provides the highest level of federal protection and funding, ensuring that the 70,000 acres of Appalachian canyon and forest are preserved for generations to come while boosting the local West Virginia tourism economy.