Discover the Elk Shoals Trail at New River State Park

For a peaceful walk through one of the most distinctive corners of New River State Park, the Elk Shoals Trail is hard to beat. We’ve affectionately called this riverside path the “Elk Shoals Trail” since it doesn’t appear by name on the official park maps — but it’s a real, well-defined route along the South Fork of the New River that’s worth knowing about. Set at the park’s most upstream access in Ashe County, the trail offers continuous river views, a gentle gravel surface, and remnants of the historic Methodist Church camp that once called this 270-acre property home. Be sure to check out the YouTube video and pictures below to get a feel for the trail before you go — or to relive the visit after.

A Riverside Walk with Real History

The Elk Shoals Trail runs parallel to the South Fork of the New River — one of the oldest rivers in the world — through shaded groves of sycamore and river birch. The path starts just on the other side of a gate near the Elk Shoals Beach, making it easy to find once you’re at the access. The trail itself is mostly gravel, with a stable, easy-walking surface that’s accessible to most ability levels. As you head farther along the path, natural-surface service trails branch off, giving you the option to extend the walk and explore deeper into the property.

What makes the Elk Shoals Trail genuinely distinctive is its setting. The 270-acre property was the home of Camp Elk Shoals, a Methodist Church camp originally established in the late 1800s and operated in its current form from around 1958 until its sale in 2018. As you walk the trail, you’ll pass subtle remnants of that earlier life — old structures, foundations, and other signs of the decades of camp life that took place here. Combined with the peaceful river setting and the shaded canopy overhead, the result is a walk that feels both natural and quietly historic.

A Conservation Success Story

The Elk Shoals Trail is also walking ground that exists because of a meaningful recent conservation effort. In 2018, the New River Conservancy purchased the 270-acre Elk Shoals property for $2.5 million, then donated it to New River State Park — adding about 14 river miles to the park’s protected stretch and making Elk Shoals the most upstream access in the system. A subsequent partnership with Foggy Mountain Nursery completed a major riverbank restoration project along this same stretch of river, reshaping eroded banks, installing rock vanes to stabilize the shoreline, and replanting native vegetation.

Walking the Elk Shoals Trail today, you’re moving through a piece of land that was saved at a meaningful moment — a quiet conservation win for one of the oldest rivers in the world.

What You’ll Find on the Trail

The Elk Shoals Trail is built for an unhurried pace. Expect:

Continuous river views along the South Fork of the New River
Shaded canopy from sycamore and river birch trees
A gentle, accessible gravel surface suitable for most ability levels
Natural-surface service trails branching off the main path for visitors who want to extend the walk
Subtle Methodist Camp remnants — old structures and foundations giving the path historical character
Wildlife to watch for — hellbender salamanders (the largest salamander in the U.S.), river otters, beavers, and a wide variety of birds
Opportunities to wade or fish along the riverbank as you walk

Good to Know

An unofficial path — doesn’t appear by name on the official park map, but is easy to follow once you’re at the access
Trailhead: Just on the other side of a gate near the Elk Shoals Beach
Gravel surface for most of the route, with natural-surface service trails branching off
Easy walking — gentle terrain suitable for most ages and ability levels
Continuous South Fork New River views along the route
Methodist Camp remnants add a layer of quiet historical character
No restrooms or trash cans at the Elk Shoals Access — pack out what you pack in
Pair with a swim, picnic, or paddle for a fuller day at the access
Located at the Elk Shoals Access of New River State Park, about 6 miles east of downtown West Jefferson, NC

A Quiet New River Highlight

The Elk Shoals Trail is the kind of route that captures what makes Elk Shoals so genuinely worth visiting. The walk is easy, the river views are continuous, the Methodist Camp history adds an unexpected layer of meaning, and the conservation story behind the property gives the place real depth. Whether you’re a casual visitor looking for an easy stroll, a wildlife watcher hoping to spot a hellbender or river otter, or just someone after a peaceful afternoon along the New River, the Elk Shoals Trail is one of the most rewarding walks you can make at New River State Park.