Whispers of the Past: Finding Historic Homesteads Along the New River

The New River is known for its ancient geology and winding waters, but if you leave the riverbanks and walk into the shade of New River State Park, you’ll see that the trees are not the only things with stories. Under the thick rhododendrons and moss, you can find signs of the past: fallen stone chimneys, old foundation stones, and other historic structures.

These are reminders of the families who once lived on these Appalachian slopes, long before the area became a protected park. Walking these trails feels like exploring a museum where nature and human history come together, letting us discover the old homesteads that still watch over the New River. As you visit these traces of the past, please follow “Leave No Trace” guidelines: take only photos and leave every artifact where you find it, so these stories can be shared with future visitors.

We have highlighted each of the trails below where we found remnants of historic structures, either on the trail or just off to the side. Before we begin, we have also compiled some additional resources about New River State Park that you might find useful. Happy Adventuring!

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Additional Resources

The Ultimate Guide to Every Hiking Trail at New River State Park

Where the Water Is: The Best River-View Trails at New River State Park

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Table of Contents

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Elk Shoals Access

Location: 349 Methodist Camp Road, West Jefferson, NC 28694

Elk Shoals Trail

The Elk Shoals Trail has several structures that show its history as a Methodist Camp. The Methodist Church owned and ran the site, first established in the late 1800s and later known as Camp Elk Shoals, from about 1958 to 2018.

The first structure you will see on the trail is an old meeting area with a view of the New River. Next, you will come across a historic homestead that likely dates back to the late 1800s or early 1900s.

Mission Trail

The Mission Trail branches off of the Elk Shoals Trail and has even more structures that once belonged to the Methodist Camp. These structures include old cabins and the Greg and Jane Howard Memorial Chapel.

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U.S. 221 Access

Location: 358 New River State Park Rd, Laurel Springs, NC 28644

River Run Trail

Located at the end of the River Run Trail that is closest to the parking lot by the river at the U.S. 221 Access, are the remnants of the Stump Family Homestead, built in 1937 just off the New River.

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Wagoner Access

Location: 1477 Wagoner Access Rd, Jefferson, NC 28640

Bluebird Spur

Just off the Bluebird Spur is an old chimney that belonged to a homestead that stood close to the banks of the New River.

Riverbend Backcountry Trail

The Riverbend Backcountry Trail is a beast, but what makes it worth it is the trail’s diversity and what you see while hiking. One highlight is an old barn that the trail goes through.

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