COVID-19 information for parks (Updated 3/26/2021)
Posted on: Friday, March 26, 2021 - 1:54pm |
Webstore will be moving soon
Posted on: Friday, April 30, 2021 - 2:16pm |
Trails

A riverbank restoration project is planned to begin early summer 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: Sunday, May 2, 2021All 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, 2021Contact 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
1477 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.
Goes through open fields, Rhododendron thickets and Oak/Hickory woodlands for a beautiful view of the cliffs across the river.
1.00 miles
moderate hike
The trail goes along the top of the ridge for a beautiful view of the river and scenic vistas.
1.30 miles
moderate hike
This easy half-mile turnaround trail goes through an agricultural field that has been seeded with pines and sycamores.
0.50 miles
loop
easy hike
This self guided trail has a small section running along the river. After it leaves the river it goes along the side of the ridge above the river, through a second growth forest of mixed hardwoods and pines. This trail connects to the Running Cedar Trail.
1.00 miles
moderate hike
Red
This trail is a moderate to strenuous 3.5-mile (one way) backpacking/hiking trail that starts at the Wagoner access backcountry parking area and ends at the Riverbend primitive paddle-in or backpack-in campsites.
Hikers will traverse the trail up over low ridges and into shallow gullies, crossing small creeks along the base of Peak and Little Peak mountains. The Peaks area is relatively undisturbed and will provide backpack campers with solitude and seclusion.
Be prepared for rugged trails, severe weather, encounters with wild animals, and prevention of injuries. The remoteness of this area makes rescues more difficult. Always know your limits and remember that if you are day hiking, you will need to leave yourself enough time to return to the trailhead 1 hour before dark.
For your safety, please sign in at the registration box located at the intersection of Riverbend and Fern Nature trails. Bring a paper map provided at the office, the registration box or print it from our website. If you have a good cell coverage in the area, you can also use the interactive digital map on Google.
3.50 miles
one way
strenuous hike
blue
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


