New River State Park in North Carolina offers a variety of recreational opportunities centered around the scenic New River, one of the oldest rivers in North America.
New River State Park straddles Alleghany and Ashe Counties in far northwestern North Carolina and protects a 30-mile stretch of the New River. The park spans nearly 3,000 acres across several access areas, with most reachable by car and some only by water. The U.S. 221 Access Area houses the main office, a visitor center, the park's only drive-in campground, picnic spots, a boat launch, and river access. This part of the park also features several hiking trails that wind through lush forests and along the riverbank. River Run Trail and the Hickory Trail are the two primary trails here, and they actually connect to each other to make a nice loop.