​1. General Competition Rules: 

a. The public may submit photos.  Board members of Friends of New River 
Gorge National Park & Preserve (FNRGNPP), National Park Service (NPS) 
employees and families of either entity may submit photos but are not eligible 
for prizes. 

b. Photographers may submit up to three (3) photos in each of the three (3) 
categories. However, the same photo may not be submitted in multiple 
categories. 

c. There is a $15.00 submission fee per photo for adults and those age 16 and 
above, and a $10.00 submission fee per photo for youth entries.  Both adults 
and youth are limited to a maximum of three (3) photos in each of the three 
(3) categories.  

d. Photos may be current or historical and may be in color or black and white. 

e. Submissions must be matted with the actual photograph no smaller than 5” x 
7” in size matted.  Photographers are responsible for printing and matting 
their entries.  Framing is not required but is acceptable. 

f. All photos must have been taken in the New River Gorge National Park & 
Preserve, Bluestone National Scenic River or Gauley River National 
Recreation Area. 

g. Photos of pictures, paintings, lithographs, or other photographs are not 
eligible for submission. 

h. Drone photos and the use of AI is not permitted. 

i. Photographers agree to allow FNRGNPP to use pictures of their submissions 
on the FNRGNPP Facebook page, other social media, or other publications 
without compensation.  All selected photographers will be credited for their 
photographs with the photographer maintaining all rights to their photographs 
submitted. 

2. Categories: 

a. Youth and adults will be grouped together in the following three (3) categories: 

• New River Gorge National Park & Preserve 
• Bluestone National Scenic River 
• Gauley River National Recreation Area 

b. Examples of submissions may include photographs of such things as: 

• Landscape and Scenery: Mountains, creeks, historic areas, snowy fields, 
clouds, buildings, architecture, etc.  
• Flora and Fauna: Birds, bees, animals, flowers, trees, etc. 
• Activities in the Areas: Fishing, swimming, hiking, picnicking, climbing, 
boating, etc. 

3. Prizes: 

a. One (1) photograph will be selected in each main category (Youth & Adults are 
judged together.): 

• 1st place - $50.00 cash and a ribbon 
• 2nd place – ribbon 
• 3rd place - ribbon 

b. One (1) photograph will be selected as "Best in Show" from the Adult entries with 
a ribbon and cash award of $100.00, and one Youth entry will be chosen as the 
“Best in Show” with a ribbon and cash award of $50.00.  The "Best in Show" 
winner is not eligible for the main category awards. 

4. Timeline and Other Information: 

a. All pictures must be submitted no later than March 19, 2025.  Pictures 
submitted past the deadline are not eligible for entry. 

b. FNRGNPP will display all pictures at McCreery Conference & Event Center (320 
Second Ave, Hinton, WV for a Coffee, and Desserts Exhibition Event on 
March 23, 20245 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. 

c. Those in attendance at the March 23 event will select the winners of the “Best in 
Show” as well as the three (3) winners in each of the three main categories by 
purchasing tickets at $1.00 per vote.  Voting will commence at 2:00 p.m. and 
end at 4:15 p.m.  Votes will then be tabulated, and all winners will be announced 
at 4:45 p.m.  All winners not in attendance will be notified via email and/or phone 
by March 31. 

5.  Entries and submission 

a. All submission fees must be paid online at: 

Friends of New River Gorge National Park & Preserve 
2025 Photo Competition 
https://www.friendsofnewriver.org/shop  and then “add” your entry to the 
cart and check out 

OR 

mail to FNRGNPP at PO Box 312, Glen Jean, WV 25846 

OR 
drop off your check for payment with your photos at a designated drop-off 
location. 

b. Photos may be submitted in person at any of the following locations during 
normal business hours: 

• New River Gorge Canyon Rim Visitor Center 
162 Visitor Center Road, Lansing, WV (7 Days; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) 
• NPS Headquarters  
104 Main Street, Glen Jean, WV (M-F; 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) 
• Fayette County Chamber of Commerce  
310 W Oyler Ave, Oak Hill, WV (M-F; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) 
• Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce  
245 N Kanawha St, Beckley, WV (M-F; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) 
• Sandstone Visitor Center 
330 Meadow Creek Rd. Sandstone, WV (Daily; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) 
• New River Gateway Convention & Visitor’s Bureau 
300 2nd Ave, Hinton, WV (M-F; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) 

No submission fees will be accepted at drop off locations other than a check 
written to Friends of NRGNPP.  Submission fees must be paid in advance, online, 
mailed, or by check at drop-off. 

c.   Each photo shall be marked on the back with the following information: 

Name 
Mailing Address 
Phone Number  
Email Address 
Age 
Category 
Payment confirmation 
Drop off location 
Do you want this returned (Y/N) 
(Returns will be at the original location where dropped.) 

d. Photos may also be published on the Friends Facebook site, in other 
social or local media or for other promotional use, bringing well-deserved 
recognition to the talented photographers, and all winning entries may be 
exhibited at the McCreery or the NPS Visitor Centers during the month of 
March/April, depending upon space availability. Non-winning entries may be 
taken home on the day of the event. All other non-winning entries will be 
available for pickup at the same location as where they were dropped off from 
March 26 through April 25, 2025. The displayed winning entries will be returned 
after April 30.  All photos not recovered will become the property of FNRGNPP.