COVID-19 information for parks (Updated 3/26/2021)
Posted on: Friday, March 26, 2021 - 1:54pm |
Trails
Elk Shoals Likely to Close Temporarily in May/June - Riverbank Restoration Project Planned
A riverbank restoration project is planned to begin early summer, likely during the month of May or June at Elk Shoals. During the construction phase of this project, this area will be closed. No vehicle or foot traffic will be allowed due to safety regulations and concerns. This project is a partnership between New River Conservancy, NC State Parks, and other partners to restore and protect the riverbank at Elk Shoals.
Last updated on: Monday, April 5, 2021 Current status of park facilities
All campsites, including group campsites, are open. Reservations are required; please visit Aspira's website or call them at 1-877-722-6762 to make your reservation.
Trails, restrooms, river accesses, and the Elk Shoals swim beach are open (Elk Shoals expected to close temporarily in May due to restoration project).
The park office at Wagoner and visitor center at U.S. 221 are open. A properly worn mask or face covering, covering both the nose and the mouth, is required to enter any building.
Other facilities, such as classrooms, picnic shelters, and community buildings, are now available following current guidelines.The exhibit hall at the U.S. 221 visitor center is now open.
Please note that this alert is updated only when something changes. Generally, state parks are following the phased reopening statewide.
Last updated on: Friday, April 2, 2021
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: 36.4676, -81.3403
Wagoner access
1447 Wagoner Access Road
Jefferson, NC 28640
GPS: 36.4158, -81.3871
Kings Creek access
2250 Kings Creek Road
Piney Creek, NC 28663
GPS: 36.5276, -81.3363
Elk Shoals access
349 Methodist Camp Road
West Jefferson, NC 28694
GPS: 36.3653, -81.4332
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.
List of trails
The many trails of the New River State Park will meander from the river’s edge to the top of the rolling hills of North Carolina’s High Country. To the left under 'Park Maps and Brochures' you will find maps for all of the trails at each of the three main accesses of the New River: Wagoner Access Road, Highway 221, and Alleghany.
221 Access Area: Dogwood Trail
Location: US Hwy 221 Access
Description:
This one-eighth-mile out-and-back trail starts near the picnic shelter. It is handicap accessible and goes to a wooden platform overlooking the river.
Surface: gravel
Length:
0.12 miles
one way
0.12 miles
one way
Difficulty:
easy hike
easy hike
Blaze:
Yellow
Yellow
221 Access Area: Hickory Trail
Location: US Hwy 221 Access
Description:
This moderate one mile trail begins on the east side of the park and traverses along side of the ridge above the river. The view is mostly of the contours of the land. This trail crosses the road and follows through a forest of Montane Oak, Hickory, Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron. It connects to the Campground Spur Trail. To get your TRACK Trail adventures, please visit the trailhead kiosk located just outside the entrance of the Park’s Visitor Center.
Surface: natural surface, stairs
Length:
1.00 miles
loop
1.00 miles
loop
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
Red
Red
221 Access Area: New River TRACK Trail
Location: US Hwy 221 Access
Description:
The New River State Park TRACK Trail was superimposed upon the Park’s Hickory Trail. The trail begins on the side of the visitor center (left side if facing the front); intersects with the Campground Spur Trail and continues as a 1.0-mile long loop trail that has a short out-and-back spur that will deliver you to the edge of the New River. The trail passes through an oak-hickory montane forest, down to the river’s edge, up through a mountain meadow and back to the visitor center through a pine thicket. To get your TRACK Trail adventures, please visit the trailhead kiosk located just outside the entrance of the Park’s Visitor Center.
Surface: natural surface, stairs
Length:
1.20 miles
loop
1.20 miles
loop
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
Blue, White, & Red
Blue, White, & Red
221 Access Area: River Run Trail
Location: US Hwy 221 Access
Description:
The trail winds through the forest down the mountainside, past an old home site, and finishes on a grassy path by the river’s edge which leads you to river access.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
1.40 miles
one way
1.40 miles
one way
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
Orange
Orange
221 Access: Campground Spur Trail
Location: US Hwy 221 Access
Description:
Branches off the Hickory Trail and winds through the forest behind the Visitor Center and connects to the Drive-to Campground.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
0.25 miles
one way
0.25 miles
one way
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
White
White
Park Maps and Brochures:
Park Factsheet- Park map
- Wagoner walk-in/paddle-in campground
- Wagoner trail map
- Riverbend paddle-in only campground
- Riverbend Trail and Peaks campsites map
- U.S. 221 walk-in/paddle-in campground
- U.S. 221 drive-to campground
- U.S. 221 trail map
- Prather's Creek access
- Alleghany campground
- Alleghany trail map