New River State Park

The New River is one of the oldest rivers in the world. It got its name because early mapmakers did not know about it before 1651. In the 1960s, conservationists stopped a power company from building a dam on the river. As a result, in 1975, the North Carolina General Assembly named a nearly 27-mile stretch a State Scenic River. This led to the creation of New River State Park, which covers more than 2,800 acres in Ashe and Alleghany counties in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina.

In 1976, the river was given federal National Wild and Scenic River status, which helps protect its natural beauty, ancient geology, diverse plants and animals, and peaceful views of forests, hills, and fields.

The park has several public access points, such as U.S. 221 with the main visitor center, Wagoner, Kings Creek, Elk Shoals, Alleghany, and Prather’s Creek. Visitors can easily launch kayaks, canoes, or inner tubes, take short or multi-day paddling trips on the gentle water, fish for smallmouth bass and trout, hike scenic trails, have a picnic, or camp at both developed and primitive sites.

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Resources

New River State Park Website

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Location

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Social Media

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