Facility Overview
The parking area at The Historic Glen Ferris Inn provides convenient, direct-access surface parking situated immediately adjacent to the historic lodging property on Midland Trail (U.S. Route 60) in Glen Ferris, West Virginia. Perched on a scenic bluff directly overlooking the majestic Kanawha Falls on the Kanawha River, this paved and marked open-air lot serves inn guests, diners visiting the restaurant, and travelers touring the Midland Trail National Scenic Byway. Because it is an unobstructed outdoor surface lot, there are no low overhead clearance barriers, making it exceptionally accommodating for large pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, vehicles carrying rooftop kayaks and bikes, and light trailers hauling outdoor gear.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Positioned along one of the most scenic highway corridors in West Virginia, this parking facility acts as a premier launch point for outdoor recreation and regional sightseeing:
- Kanawha Falls: Located directly in front of and below the inn, offering spectacular panoramic waterfall views, fishing access, and photography spots within a 1-minute walk.
- Town of Gauley Bridge: Just 2 miles east along Route 60, where the New River and Gauley River converge to form the Kanawha River.
- Cathedral Falls: Approximately 3 miles east on Route 60, featuring one of the tallest and most accessible scenic roadside waterfalls in the state.
- Hawks Nest State Park & Overlook: Around an 8-mile drive east, offering tram rides, canyon views, hiking trails, and jet boat tours.
- New River Gorge National Park & Preserve: Within easy driving distance, making this a relaxing alternative basecamp for rafting, rock climbing, and hiking.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Vehicle entry and exit are straightforward via dedicated curb cuts directly off U.S. Route 60 (Midland Trail). Traffic on Route 60 is generally steady with occasional scenic tourism peaks during summer weekends and autumn leaf-peeping seasons. Entering and exiting the lot is smooth, with wide sightlines along the road. While public bus and rail transit are minimal in this rural mountain valley, Route 60 provides direct highway connectivity east toward Ansted and the New River Gorge, and west toward Montgomery, Alloy, and Charleston.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Open-Air Surface Parking: Level asphalt parking with marked vehicle stalls right outside the inn\'s front veranda.
- Unrestricted Headroom: No vertical height clearance issues, well suited for high-profile vehicles, roof-box carriers, and truck campers.
- Complimentary Guest Parking: Dedicated free parking for patrons dining at the inn\'s dining room and staying overnight in the guestrooms.
- Scenic Lookout Access: Direct foot access to outdoor viewing areas and grounds overlooking the falls.
- Accessible Stalls: Designated ADA parking spaces positioned near the main entrances of the historic inn.
- Evening Illumination: Exterior building and perimeter lighting provide visibility and peace of mind during nighttime arrivals.
Ideal For
- Inn & Lodging Guests: Overnight travelers seeking hassle-free doorstep parking steps from check-in.
- Scenic Dining Visitors: Diners stopping by for lunch or dinner overlooking the river rapids.
- Midland Trail Road Trippers: Drivers touring the historic Route 60 byway needing a scenic, safe pull-off and photo stop.
- Outdoor Adventurers: Kayakers, anglers, and hikers exploring the lower Gauley, New River, and Kanawha Falls waterways.
Visitor & Driver Tips
When approaching on U.S. Route 60, slow down as you near Glen Ferris; the inn is set back slightly from the roadway on the riverside, and turn-ins can arrive quickly around sweeping highway bends. If traveling with trailered watercraft or larger camper vans, park toward the outer edges of the lot to preserve standard spaces for dining and lodging patrons. Weekend lunch and sunset dinner hours see peak turnover, so arrive slightly ahead of reservation times to easily secure a stall near the front porch.
