Explore the New River state Park

The Hickory Trail at the US 221 Access in New River State Park is a red-blazed loop trail about 1 to 1.2 miles long, rated easy to moderate. It starts near the visitor center and parking area, winding through a hardwood forest filled with oaks and hickories. Along the way, you’ll find open views, shelf fungi on trees, and a peaceful setting.

The trail’s main loop forms the core of the hike, with two out-and-back sections at either end, similar to short spurs branching off the loop. One segment climbs gently uphill from the parking lot through fields and forest before joining the loop, while another heads toward the river or connects with nearby trails, such as at a T-junction where the loop continues and a side path like River Run branches off.

This setup lets you choose a shorter walk on the core loop or add the out-and-back sections for more distance and variety. It’s a flexible option for families or anyone looking for different hiking experiences without taking on the full loop with nearby trails like River Run. The trail is also part of the Kids in Parks TRACK Trail program, which adds interpretive features to make the hike more engaging.