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

Let’s be honest: there’s nothing more disappointing than setting out for a “river hike” only to spend three hours staring at a dense wall of rhododendrons (not that we generally mind that). While New River State Park is famous for its ancient, winding waterway, many of its paths keep the star of the show hidden behind a thick canopy of Carolina forest. If you’re tired of the “green tunnel” and ready for those clear water payoffs, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve scouted the switchbacks and tracked the ridgelines to find the specific stretches where the trees part and the oldest river in North America finally takes center stage.

We have highlighted each of the trails below where we found the best views of the New River. 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

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

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Table of Contents

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Elk Shoals Access

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

Beach and Bridge

This isn’t an official trail, but we’ve created our own path by walking along the beautiful beach at Elk Shoals Access. The beach and bridge area here offers the easiest way to enjoy the New River and take in some amazing views among all the trails featured in this post.

Elk Shoals Trail

We call it the Elk Shoals Trail. It starts at a gate near the parking area by the beach and stretches for about a mile in a straight line. Since the trail runs alongside the New River, you’ll enjoy some great views of the water as you walk.

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U.S. 221 Access

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

River Run Trail

Much of the River Run Trail follows the New River and offers beautiful views along the way. It also leads to a small beach area where you can dip your toes in the water if it’s warm enough.

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Wagoner Access

Location: 1477 Wagoner Access Rd, Jefferson, NC 28640

Fern Nature Trail

The Fern Nature Trail is a loop that offers beautiful views of the New River and takes you to a picnic spot and kayak launch, making it a perfect place to pause and relax.

Riverbend Backcountry Trail

The Riverbend Backcountry Trail is the toughest hike in New River State Park, but it offers one of the best river views in the park. To see the best scenery, you’ll need to hike nearly the full 4 miles, since the views are at the end.

Running Cedar Trail

A section of the Running Cedar Trail follows alongside the New River, offering some great views. If you prefer a shorter walk, you can park at the Wagoner Access parking lot closest to the river, which gives you river views right away.

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