Conquering the Riverbend Backcountry Trail

You might wonder what makes a trail challenging. For us, it depends on a few things, but the main one is how tired we feel after finishing. Of course, exhaustion is different for everyone, but since we’ve done a lot of hiking, most trails don’t wear us out. For example, we once hiked all the trails at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area in a single day (click here to read more about that adventure). Even with all the elevation changes, we still felt fine afterwards.

But when we hiked the Riverbend Backcountry Trail at New River State Park, we were definitely worn out by the end. While it isn’t as technically tough as the Grandfather Trail, it’s still demanding. So, is the Riverbend Backcountry Trail one of the most challenging in North Carolina? We think it’s worth considering, and below we share our experience hiking the trail.

Dude, where's the trailhead? Wagoner Access Map and Reaching the Riverbend Backcountry Trailhead
The Ascent: Riverbend and Peaks Areas Map and Start of the Riverbend Backcountry Trail
Out on the Ridge: Walk-In Campsites
The Descent
The Pine Forest Wonderland
The Barn
Drumroll Please: The New River
Conclusion

Dude, where’s the trailhead? Wagoner Access Map and Reaching the Riverbend Backcountry Trailhead

We began our hike at the Wagoner Access in New River State Park. We parked in the upper lot, which is farthest from the river and where the Running Cedar Trail crosses Wagoner Access Road. If you look at the map, the Riverbend Backcountry Trail starts in the far right corner, so you’ll need to hike along other Wagoner Access trails to reach the trailhead.

Since we parked in the upper lot, we started on the Running Cedar Trail, then connected to the Fern Nature Trail before reaching the Riverbend Backcountry Trail. No matter which route you take, expect to hike about a mile just to get to the Riverbend Backcountry trailhead.

The Ascent: Riverbend and Peaks Areas Map and Start of the Riverbend Backcountry Trail

The Riverbend and Peaks area map is the next key resource for your trip. It gives more details about the Riverbend Backcountry Trail. At the start, you’ll see distant views of the New River and the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is also a backcountry registration spot at the beginning of the trail, similar to what you will see at some of the Grandfather Mountain trails. The trail begins to climb right away.

Out on the Ridge: Walk-In Campsites

As you reach the ridge on the trail, you’ll come across several walk-in campsites that offer amazing views of the landscape below, including the New River. The scenery is especially nice in winter, when the trees are bare. There’s also a side trail to the left of the Riverbend Backcountry Trail that leads to a group campsite. Remember, these are walk-in sites, so you’ll need to carry your camping gear in since there’s no parking close by.

The Descent

Once you leave the ridge, the trail begins to go downhill. The slope isn’t very steep, but it’s still a good idea to move carefully and watch your step, especially if it has rained or snowed recently.

The Pine Forest Wonderland

Pine forests are always a favorite. At New River State Park, it looks like there was a major reforestation project in the past. The Riverbend Backcountry Trail goes right through the heart of it and has some truly beautiful views. We want to warn you that the trail can be a bit difficult to follow through the Pine Forest, so make sure to always look for the blue blaze before proceeding.

The Barn

We really enjoy finding old structures, and the barn on this trail is one of the most interesting you’ll see. The path actually goes right through the middle of it. If you’re interested, we’ve also written a whole post about the old buildings and remains we discovered while hiking at New River State Park. You can check it out here.

Drumroll Please: The New River

As you get closer to the end of the trail, the New River comes back into view in a beautiful way. We have a whole post about the best New River State Park trails for river views, and now that you’re here, you’ll see one of our favorites—especially in the fall. If you want to stay overnight, there are more primitive campsites near the river. Just remember to reserve a spot with the Park Office before you camp. Give yourself some credit for making it this far!

Conclusion

Remember, this is an out-and-back trail, so you’ll retrace your steps on the way back. Thanks for coming along with us. We hope you feel inspired for your next adventure.