The New River State Park TRACK Trail was superimposed upon the Park’s Hickory Trail. The Hickory Trail begins on the side of the visitor center (left side if facing the front) 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. While there, be sure to visit the museum to learn more about the history of New River.
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 river 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.
Location Details
Adventures for New River State Park
Animal Athletes
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New River: Flowers become Fruit
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Nature's Hide & Seek
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New River: Nature's Hide & Seek Spring Edition
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New River: Nature's Relationships - Everything's Connected
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New River: Tree Tales
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Let's Explore - ecoEXPLORE
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Longitude: -81.390479400000
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
Partners
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, 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.
