New River Trail State Park — Hikes, camping & visitor guide

New River Trail State Park is a 57.7-mile (92.9 km) rail trail and 1,217-acre (1.902 sq mi) state park located entirely in southwest Virginia, extending from the trail's northeastern terminus in Pulaski to its southern terminus in Galax, with a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) spur from Fries Junction on the main trail to Fries. Designated a National Recreation Trail, the linear park follows 39 miles (63 km) of the New River, which is one of the five oldest rivers in the world. Headquartered in Foster Falls, roughly a third of the trail distance from Pulaski, the crushed stone multi-use trail was formally created in 1986, when Norfolk Southern Railway donated its discontinued right-of-way to the state of Virginia.

Volunteers began making improvements and the park opened in May 1987 with 4 miles (6.4 km) of trail, opening the entire 57 miles (92 km) for recreational use by the late 1990s. The trail was designated a Millennium Legacy Trail in 1999, for reflecting "the spirit of the nation's states and territories." The 765-acre (310 ha) linear park adjoins historic sites including the nineteenth-century Jackson Ferry Shot Tower, the Draper Mercantile building, two turn-of-the-century hydroelectric dams, remains of the Ivanhoe Blast Furnace, the Ivanhoe Carbide Plant, the Foster Falls Blast Furnace, and the Foster Falls Orphanage, as well as numerous outdoor recreational areas, including Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, and four Department of Game and Inland Fisheries boat launches. The trail features two tunnels, 135 feet (41 m) and 193 feet (59 m) long respectively; three major bridges (Hiwassee Bridge at 951 feet (290 m), Ivanhoe Bridge at 670 feet (200 m) and Fries Junction Bridge at 1,089 feet (332 m) in length); and almost 30 smaller bridges and trestles.

New River Trail State Park occupies a particular place in the imagination of American public lands. As a State Park in Virginia and West Virginia, it represents a deliberate choice — by the people who advocated for its protection, and by the National Park Service rangers who maintain it — to keep this landscape available to anyone willing to make the trip. That accessibility is the quiet miracle of the park system.

The pages linked below break the visit down into the four practical questions every traveler asks: where can I hike, where can I sleep, what else is worth seeing while I'm in the area, and what should I know before I show up. Each one is written from the perspective of someone planning their first trip — assume nothing, explain what's worth explaining, and skip the marketing language. If you've been here before, treat these guides as a refresher and a way to discover the corners you missed last time.

What this guide covers

Over the next four pages, this field guide breaks New River Trail State Park into the practical questions every traveler asks: which trails are worth the effort, where to sleep both inside and outside the park boundary, what else is worth a stop in the surrounding region, and the small-but-essential tips that make the difference between a stressful first day and a smooth one. Use the navigation above to jump between sections, or read them in order — they're written to flow.

Logistics at a glance

Use this quick reference when you're putting together your itinerary. The figures below are the most-asked questions every visitor needs answered before arrival, summarized in one place.

Designation	State Park
States	Virginia, West Virginia
Entrance fee	Varies — check the official park site below for current rates.
Visitor center hours	Most open daily 8–9am to 4:30–6pm. Reduced winter hours common.
Best months	Plan around the weather notes above.
Camping inside park	See the camping guide for campground details, fees, and reservation windows.
Nearby gateway towns	See nearby attractions for lodging and supply stops.