Rugged hillsides, pastoral meadows and farmlands surround what is believed to be one of the oldest rivers in North America – the New River. Its waters are slow and placid. Its banks are fertile and covered with wildflowers. Dedicated as a National Scenic River in 1976, this gentle river is the centerpiece of New River State Park.

The New River area still maintains an old-fashioned charm. Mountain roads are narrow and winding, dotted with small farms, churches and country stores. The river itself is tranquil, offering good bass fishing, trout streams, excellent birding and inspiring mountain scenery. But perhaps the best way to absorb and appreciate the river's peacefulness is from the seat of a canoe as it glides across the slow-moving waters. Four areas with access to this waterway make up more than 2,200 acres of New River State Park and provide spots for camping, canoeing, picnicking and fishing.

The Kids in Parks TRACK Trail trailhead is located just outside the Visitor Center at the Park’s US-221 Access area. The TRACK Trail, which opened on May 26th 2011, was superimposed on the Park’s Hickory Trail. Two of the TRACK Trail brochures were specifically designed for use on the Hickory Trail, while two other self-guided brochure-led adventures were designed to be used on any of the trails found within New River State Park.

To get your adventures, please visit the trailhead kiosk located just outside the entrance of the Park’s Visitor Center. While there, be sure to visit the museum to learn more about the history of New River.

New River State Park’s TRACK Trail Adventures

	Nature's Hide & Seek The Nature's Hide & Seek brochure is designed so that kids of all ages can walk along the trail and discover common things that are often overlooked in nature. Some of them are hard to find, others are easy. Best of all, the adventure never ends because every time you walk the trail you will discover new things hiding in nature. Download now
	Nature's Hide & Seek - Spring Edition The Nature's Hide & Seek: Spring Edition brochure is similar to our original Nature's Hide and Seek brochure led adventure except that the items you are looking for are wildflowers and other common things that can be found in the Blue Ridge Mountains each spring. Some of them are hard to find, others are easy; but, best of all the adventure never ends because every time you walk the trail you will discover new things hiding in nature. Download now
	Natures Relationships – Everything’s Connected In the Nature's Relationships brochure you will discover how everything in nature is connected... even us. As you walk along the trail, the brochure will tell you a story about a few of the relationships that can be found. Many more relationships exist, so keep your eyes and heart open and you will discover many of nature's relationships – even yours. Download now
	Tree Tales Have you ever come across a tree with an odd shape or strange markings on the bark, and wondered how it got that way? If you study a tree closely, you might find that it has an interesting story to tell. Our Tree Tales brochure will guide you to several of the unique trees along the Park’s Hickory Trail and give you examples of how living and nonliving factors can affect trees. Download now
	Flowers become Fruit Did you know that every flower can become a fruit… and every fruit was once a flower? The Flowers Become Fruit brochure was designed to help you learn about some of the flower / fruit combinations that can be found in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It also provides a diagram to help you learn about flower parts and their functions. Download now
	Animal Athletes: Critter Cardio for Kids Wild animals are some of the world’s greatest athletes, able to perform amazing physical feats. Are you ready to exercise with the animals of New River State Park? This brochure will show you how different animals move and guide you through eight exercises you can do as you hike the Hickory Trail. Download now

Directions

From Boone

Travel Hwy 421 S (toward Winston-Salem) for ~10 miles and turn Left onto US Highway 221 N. After driving through Jefferson (~16 miles), turn Left onto US 221/16 N. Travel north approximately 1.3 miles. Turn Right onto Hwy 221. Drive 7.1 miles to park entrance on the Right.

From the Blue Ridge Parkway

Exit the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 230 near Roaring Gap onto Hwy 21 N (towards Savanna Ln). Stay on 21 N for 10 miles. Continue straight on US-221 S for approximately 13.5 miles to Park entrance on the Left.

From Other Locations

http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/neri/directions.php

GPS Directions

162 Highway 221 Access Road

Crumpler, North Carolina 28617

New River State Park’s TRACK Trail Sponsors

The TRACK Trail program is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation. The New River State Park’s TRACK Trail was made possible through partnerships formed with Be Active Appalachian and North Carolina State Parks with grant funds provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration as part of a larger Appalachian-Ashe Prevention Partners project.

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