Formed by the confluence of the South Fork New River and the North Fork New River right here in Ashe County, North Carolina, the ancient New River flows north into Virginia, eventually forming the Kanawha River, becoming part of the Ohio River, and ultimately joining the Mississippi River. Some geologists believe the New River to be one of the oldest rivers in the world, somewhere between 10 million and 360 million years old, and second in age only to the Nile River in Egypt. It's unusual northerly directional flow indicates it likely existed even before the formation of the Blue Ridge Mountains themselves.
Ashe County residents and visitors alike continue to marvel at the serenely pastoral and scenic beauty that characterizes the New River as it meanders its way back and forth through the local region. Since 1976, this 26.5-mile portion of the 320-mile New River has been designated and protected as a National Wild and Scenic River System, and it provides the core element of the 1,460-acre New River State Park.
Open year-round, its three designated parkland areas accessible are from within Ashe and Alleghany Counties. To reach the Wagoner Road access from Jefferson, take NC 88 southeast and turn north on SR 1590. The access is located 8 miles southeast of Jefferson, and the park office is located just beyond the entry gate. The US 221 access area is located 8 miles northeast of Jefferson, 1 mile upstream from the US 221 bridge at Scottville. The Alleghany access area is located 1 mile from the North Carolina/Virginia border, and may only be reached by canoe.
Visitors to the New River State Park can enjoy camping, river rafting, tubing, canoeing, fly-fishing, hiking, and picnicking, and can also take advantage of a variety of educational programs led by Park Rangers on the natural and cultural history of the area. The three camping access areas at New River State Park provide both canoe-in and walk-in primitive campgrounds. A fee is charged for camping, and campers must register with park staff or at a registration box.
Canoeists may leave their vehicles and launch canoes at the Wagoner Road Access or at the US 221 Access. Canoes may also be launched from several bridges and roadways that cross the river. Canoes, rafts and tubes can be rented from a number of local providers, who will also provide road transportation from put-in to pick-up. Fishing enthusiasts will find a variety of freshwater game fish including bass, trout, walleye, muskellunge, crappie, bluegill, carp, and flathead and channel catfish. Picnickers and hikers will find plenty of opportunities to enjoy a meal and some healthy outdoor exercise along the many trails within the New River State Park.
No visit to the Ashe County and the High Country of Western North Carolina would be complete without becoming aware of and enjoying the amazing natural beauty and scenic wonder of the New River!
For more information, contact the New River State Park, PO Box 48, Jefferson, NC 28640.
Physical address: 358 US Hwy 221 N Access Rd, Laurel Springs, NC 28644
GPS coordinates: 36.467680, -81.340350
Office Phone: 336-982-2587
Webpage : http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/neri/main.php
