Updated Thursday, April 2: NC State Parks status during COVID-19 pandemic
Posted on: Thursday, April 2, 2020 - 12:41pm |
Directions
Contact the park
336-982-2587
new.river@ncparks.gov
Wagoner access
336-982-5817
Addresses
U.S. 221 access
and visitor center
358 New River State Park Road
Laurel Springs, NC 28644
GPS: 36.46768, -81.34035
Wagoner access
1447 Wagoner Access Road
Jefferson, NC 28640
GPS: 36.415808, -81.387174
Kings Creek access
2250 Kings Creek Road
Piney Creek, NC 28663
GPS: 36.527628, -81.336359
Elk Shoals access
349 Methodist Camp Road
West Jefferson, NC 28694
GPS: 36.365324, -81.433277
Hours
►
- December to February:
7:00am to 7:00pm
- March to April:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- May to September:
7:00am to 10:00pm
- October:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- November:
7:00am to 8:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- December to February:
7:00am to 6:00pm
- March to April:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- May to September:
7:00am to 10:00pm
- October:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- November:
7:00am to 8:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- Monday to Friday:
8:00am to 5:00pm
- Saturday to Sunday:
10:00am to 3:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- Closed November 1 to March 31
- April:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- May to September:
8:00am to 9:00pm
- October:
8:00am to 8:00pm
►
The swim beach at Elk Shoals access is open from sunrise to sunset year-round.
New River State Park is closed until further notice to reduce the spread of COVID-19 across the state. All accesses, trails, parking areas, camping areas, restrooms, and visitor centers are closed.
Last updated on: Monday, March 30, 2020Area information
New River State Park is located in both Ashe and Alleghany counties.
U.S. 221 access
Address: 358 New River State Park Road, Laurel Springs, NC 28644
GPS coordinates: 36.46768, -81.34035
This access area is located at river mile 15 and is the location of the visitor center and park headquarters.
Traveling west on I-40 from eastern North Carolina:
- Take U.S. 421 North at Winston-Salem. Stay on U.S. 421 North through Wilkesboro.
- At Deep Gap, turn onto U.S. 221 North.
- After driving through Jefferson, turn onto U.S. 221/N.C. 16 North.
- Continue on N.C. 16 North for approximately 4.7 miles to Tom Fowler Road.
- At Tom Fowler Road, turn right and proceed for about 1.3 miles to the stop sign.
- Turn left onto U.S. 221. After 2.7 miles, the park entrance will be on your right.
Traveling east on I-40 from western North Carolina:
- Take U.S. 221 North.
- After driving through Jefferson, turn on U.S. 221/N.C. 16 North.
- Continue on N.C. 16 North for approximately 4.7 miles to Tom Fowler Road.
- At Tom Fowler Road, turn right and proceed for about 1.3 miles to the stop sign.
- Turn left onto U.S. 221. After 2.7 miles, the park entrance will be on your right.
From I-77:
- Take U.S. 421 North.
- At Deep Gap, turn onto U.S. 221 North.
- After driving through Jefferson, turn onto U.S. 221/N.C. 16 North.
- Continue on N.C. 16 North for approximately 4.7 miles to Tom Fowler Road.
- At Tom Fowler Road, turn right and proceed for about 1.3 miles to the stop sign.
- Turn left onto U.S. 221. After 2.7 miles, the park entrance will be on your right.
Wagoner Road access
Address: 1447 Wagoner Access Road, Jefferson, NC 28640
GPS coordinates: 36.415808, -81.387174
From the U.S. 221 access/visitor center/park headquarters:
- Turn left onto U.S. 221. Follow U.S. 221 for 2.7 miles to East Shatley Springs Road.
- Turn right onto East Shatley Springs Road, and stay straight as the road becomes Tom Fowler Road.
- Turn left onto N.C. 16 South, going toward Jefferson.
- At the stop sign, turn left onto N.C. 16 South/N.C. 88 East. Go approximately 3 miles, crossing Walter Sheets Bridge.
- After crossing the bridge, continue for about 1.5 miles and turn left onto Wagoner Access Road. Follow Wagoner Access Road to the access entrance.
Kings Creek access
Address: 2250 Kings Creek Road, Piney Creek, NC 28663
GPS coordinates: 36.527628, -81.336359
This access area is located at river mile 7.
From the U.S. 221 access/visitor center/park headquarters:
- Turn left onto U.S. 221. Follow U.S. 221 to N.C. 16.
- Turn right onto N.C. 16 North, toward Mouth of Wilson. Follow N.C. 16 North to Overpass Ramp Road.
- At Overpass Ramp Road, turn right. At the end of the ramp, make another right and follow to Chestnut Hill Road.
- Turn right onto Chestnut Hill Road and follow to George McMillian Road.
- At George McMillian Road, turn left. Follow it to Kings Creek Road.
- Turn right across the river. Kings Creek access is on the left.
Elk Shoals access
Address: 349 Methodist Camp Road, West Jefferson, NC 28694
GPS coordinates: 36.365324, -81.433277
From West Jefferson:
- At the intersection of U.S. 221 and N.C. 163, take N.C. 163 South for 2.8 miles.
- At Boggs Road, turn left. Travel 1.5 miles.
- Turn right to cross the low water bridge into Elk Shoals access.
Other park accesses
The following accesses are accessible only by boat:
Alleghany County access is at river mile 1.
Prather's Creek access is at river mile 10.
Riverbend access is at river mile 24.
Nearby
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
1481 Mount Jefferson State Park Road
West Jefferson, NC 28694
Park Maps and Brochures:
Park Factsheet- Park map
- 221 Access Area Drive-to Campground
- 221 Access Area Trail Map
- 221 Access Area Walk in/Canoe in Campground
- Alleghany Access Area Trail Map
- Riverbend Access Area Campground - Canoe-in Only
- Wagoner Road Access Area - Walk in/Canoe in Campground
- Wagoner Road Access Area Trail Map
- Prather's Creek access map
- Alleghany Access Area Campground Map