The New River is a rugged, whitewater river that flows northward through deep canyons and is among the oldest rivers on the continent. More than 70,000 acres of land along the New River are encompassed within the park, an area rich in cultural and natural history with abundant scenic and recreational opportunities. Weather in the Appalachian Mountains can be unpredictable and can change quickly, with the possibility of sudden storms, and conditions in the mountains are often cooler and wetter than in the surrounding area. On average, July is the warmest month, and the greatest average precipitation also occurs in July.