Hiking the Hickory Trail at New River State Park
Park Overview
Situated in the North Carolina Mountains region near Laurel Springs, New River State Park features over 9 miles of hiking trails and 26.5 miles of the New River to explore. This free-flowing river is gentle and shallow, offering a terrific paddling opportunity for beginners, groups, and families. The New River is the centerpiece of the park and is believed to be the second oldest river in the world (the first being the Nile River), stretching 360 miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to Kanawha Falls in West Virginia.
Hickory Trail in the spring
Our Adventure - Hickory Trail
Accessed from U.S. 221, the red-blazed Hickory Trail is a 1-mile loop through the woods with a winding path of open views of barren red and white oaks. Large mushrooms or “shelf fungi” cover the oaks in this hardwood forest. You can also access the Hickory Trail from the campgrounds by following the white-blazed Campground Spur Trail for 0.7 miles.
Hickory Trail during the different seasons
We wander through a scrub oak, hickory forest traversing rocky clay terrain. Deer-printed soil leads to a primitive campsite along the river where you can paddle in and take a short hike to tent camp. Along the riverside, there is a kayak/canoe launch that is great for beginners as the river flows slowly from south to north. We sit by the river for a while watching the meandering waters running through dense green vegetation, wood ducks floating along, and red-tailed hawks perched overhead.
New River view at kayak and canoe access point
Look closely and you may spot the Hellbender, a rare aquatic species found in the New River, and known as the 2nd largest salamander in the U.S. growing to more than 2 feet long.
Crossing park road on the Hickory Trail loop
There are 7 paddle-in accesses to camps along this National Wild and Scenic River that flows northwest across the Appalachian Mountains through 3 states, including North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. We trek north along the roadside for views of the river between the hardwoods and stay on the Hickory Trail, climbing uphill a mossy, narrow path covered in pine needles with the smell of thick pines surrounding.
Dogwood Trail in the winter
Dogwood Trail
Another trail from the U.S. 221 access, the Dogwood Trail offers a short, 0.2-mile jaunt to an observation deck. Follow the yellow blazes to access the overlook, where seasonal colors drench the landscape and over 200 species of migratory birds flutter around. There is also a picnic pavilion at the trailhead that features a grill and quiet seating area for a nice picnic lunch.
Take an adventure this season at New River State Park, with over 2,300 acres to explore.
New River State Park Trail System
From U.S. 221 access:
River Run Trail – 1.4-mile loop
Hickory Trail – 1-mile loop
Campground Spur Trail – 0.7 miles
Dogwood Trail – 0.2 miles
Kayak/canoe launch at river mile 15
From Wagoner:
Fern Nature Trail – 1-mile loop
Running Cedar Trail – 1.25 miles
Blue Bird Path – 0.2 miles
Crab Apple Spur Trail – 0.1 miles, one-way
Riverbend Back Country Trail – 3.5 miles
Kayak/canoe launch at river mile 26
From Alleghany (paddle-in only):
Farm House Loop Trail – 1 mile
Riverview Loop Trail – 1.3 miles
Trail to Nowhere – 1.3 miles
From Kings Creek:
Kayak/canoe launch at river mile 7
From Elk Shoals:
Kayak/canoe launch & swim beach
Things to Do
Hiking – 9+ miles of trails
Fishing – bass & trout
Kayak/Canoe on the river – nearby rentals (available beginning in April)
Swim Beach – Elk Shoals
Museum inside the Visitor Center
Camping – 20 RV & tent sites at U.S. 221 access (some full hookups, some electric only)
Paddle-in Primitive campsites – Alleghany, U.S. 221, & Wagoner
Picnicking – Kings Creek, U.S. 221, Wagoner, & Elk Shoals
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