New River Trail State Park

Category: State park

Address: 116 Orphanage Dr, Max Meadows, VA 24360, USA

Phone: +12766996778

Reviews

Kevin Phillips

Feb 27, 2022

I have cycled the New River Trail numerous times over the past 20 years and it never grows old. I experience a new adventure with each visit. There are numerous places along the trail to enjoy the scenery of the New River. Many park benches and picnic tables located along the trail. The trail is well maintained by park maintenance. Just my personal preference. My favorite section is parking at Austinville and cycling south to Fries, VA. The rock formations and views of the river grabs my attention. This is a 35 mile out and back trip. Since I work in Radford , VA I frequently drive to Draper, VA for an after work ride. My favorite ride on this section of trail is from Draper to just south of Lone Ash. This will make a 25 mile out and back trip. All the trail is nice. But these are my personal favorites. It's a great place to run, hike or bicycle. I purchase a yearly parking pass because I take advantage of the park being so close to my home. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for an outdoor adventure.

Teresa Clark

Feb 24, 2022

We had done the creeper trail and a friend told me about this trail. It was cold but great weather when we were there. It warmed up to the high 40s low 50s. We will be back to ride the rest of the trail. It is 57 miles long so we didn't get it all done in two days. Beautiful scenery, deer running around it was great. On the creeper coming down you can get away with not a lot of pedaling. Be prepared to pedal both ways here. Not hard just pedaling. We loved it!!

Kayla Danner

Dec 28, 2021

Gorgeous definitely want to camp there next time because camp is literally right next to the water would be amazing to wake up to the sounds of it going down river

Jackie Berberabe - Real Estate Agent

Nov 30, 2021

So much FUN! We had a big group and rented kayaks and canoes. It was the first time for most of us so we were so excited! The folks who worked there were very nice. They drove us to our starting point and told us what to look out for and …

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Questions & Answers

Can you carry a pistol if you have a concealed carry permit.

Robert Hawks | Dec 30, 2018
New River Trail State Park (Owner) | Dec 31, 2018

Yes. You can also open carry if you do not have a concealed permit.

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Are pet welcomed?

Thomas Carter | Dec 30, 2018
New River Trail State Park (Owner) | Dec 31, 2018

Yes. Must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. They are not allowed inside facilities.

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What campsite is your favorite and why? This will be my first time here and I have a one year old pup. We hike a lot. Thanks!

Sheree Anderson | Oct 30, 2021
DEAN LANDRETH | Oct 31, 2021

Foster falls is incredible..bikely, hiking , canoes kayaking ... horseback riding ...Right off I 81 in max meadows

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Can you bring your own horse and ride the trails

Richard Moore | Jun 2, 2021
J Cole | Jun 3, 2021

I believe so

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If you drive up and bike down is there a shuttle to take you back to your car?

Darlene Smith | Dec 30, 2018
Gary Davis | Dec 31, 2018

yes if you break down the park will help you out..

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Can anyone use the picnic shelter

Richard Jones | Dec 30, 2018
New River Trail State Park (Owner) | Dec 31, 2018

There are two shelters that can be reserved in the Foster Falls area. They can be used by anyone when not reserved. We have a number of small shelters along the trail that can be used by anyone.

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We camped by the river a few years ago and they had TP's does anyone know where this is I'm confused

Archie Helmandollar | Jun 2, 2021
Gloria Donithan | Jun 3, 2021

It was on Rt 100 but they are closed now

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Can you drive on these trails Jeep

Samantha Shepherd | Dec 29, 2020
Megan Bukowski | Dec 30, 2020

Nope

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Are atvs allowed on trail?

Charles Hardin | Dec 30, 2019
Grayam Holt | Dec 31, 2019

No ATVs but horses or bikes are allowed

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Are there any hiking trails off the New River Trail?

Suzanne Heidelberger-Phillips | Dec 30, 2019
Nancy Heltman | Dec 31, 2019

There is a spur off the main trail that takes you to Fries. There is also a new section of the park with hiking/mountain biking trails called the Hoover Mountain Bike area. https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/trail-guide-newrivertrail.pdf

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Is it free to rent camp

Jerryandshannon Harrison | Dec 30, 2018
Randy McDaniel | Dec 31, 2018

No. Not sure what the fees are but not free.

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Is this RV (19' van) camping?

Katie Curtis | Dec 30, 2018
ARK Roscoe | Dec 31, 2018

Primitive tent camping only. There is an RV campground about 15 minutes from there called Pioneer Campground.

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Does anyone know if Foster Falls is anywhere near Fries Park?

Julie Hooker | Dec 30, 2017
Deb Richmond | Dec 31, 2017

It's about 25 miles away by car and approximately 16 miles along the trail. You can download the trail guide from the New River Trail State Pstk website.

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I noticed at least a few people concerned about being able to be armed here. Are there safety concerns in the park? Are there statistics regarding drug activity, missing persons, or assaults in the park or surrounding area?

ARB | Aug 1, 2021
New River Trail State Park (Owner) | Aug 2, 2021

Most of the questions about weapons are from people just interested to k ow what the policy is. We don’t have any of the issues you described. Perhaps the user that suggested concern for wild animals like bears has the right idea but we have had no attacks there either. Virginia permits open carry and concealed carry to permitted individuals. Hope that helps.

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Are E-Bikes allowed on the New River Trail if they are only pedal assist bikes?

Herman Leopard | Jul 2, 2021
New River Trail State Park (Owner) | Jul 3, 2021

We allow class 1 and 2 e-bikes: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/e-bikes.pdf

Is there a main entrance to this park where we can meet up with friends traveling? Where is the picnic area located?

L R | Jul 2, 2021
Hillary Southard | Jul 3, 2021

Yes, Fries, and Cliffveiw and Galax all have shelters and parking lots. They all have picnic areas

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Are there any rtv/atv trails nearby here?

Rick Haass | Dec 29, 2020
Thomas Johnson | Dec 30, 2020

Not too far in West Virginia, Mcdowell county.

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Has the Hiwassee Trestle Bridge reopened?

Tom Carr | Dec 29, 2020
Chris Robertson | Dec 30, 2020

No it's still closed for now. I didn't see any info when it would be open again.

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So you can swim here? And where are the best places to on the new river?

Jeremy Smith | Dec 29, 2020
New River Trail State Park (Owner) | Dec 30, 2020

We don't have a designated beach anywhere but we can't stop you from swimming. Tubing is popular.

Do you have to have a fishing license and if so do they sell them at the park?

Britany Kindt | Dec 29, 2020
New River Trail State Park (Owner) | Dec 30, 2020

You do need a license but with office schedules uncertain buy them online or from Walmart. Online: https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/regulations/licenses/

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I hoped to hike the entire New River Trail (57 miles). Looking at the map, it appears to there are not campsites along the entire trail. Obviously, I can only hike so many miles per day and I wondered about camping along the way.

Gary Stepp | Dec 30, 2019
Ninad Kandekar | Dec 31, 2019

We just did a small stretch of the trail from Shot Tower to Foster Falls however there is a campground at Fries Junction and Foster Falls as per the following trail guide. https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/trail-guide-newrivertrail.pdf

Are electric assist bikes permitted on the trail

Jeff Clark | Dec 30, 2019
Kim Branch | Dec 31, 2019

I've never seen a sign saying otherwise. I would think it would be posted. You cannot have motorcycles, 4wheelers, vehicles of course.

Where is the best place on the trail to be able to hike, fish, and primitive camp a few days?

Justin Spurlock | Dec 30, 2019
New River Trail State Park (Owner) | Dec 31, 2019

I would recommend Foster Falls (Millrace campground). The sites are right on the water and there are nice hikes in both directions. Information on it and the other two primitive camping areas we offer can be found here: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/new-river-trail#cabins_camping Primitive camping is not allowed other places on the trail and I am flagging the incorrect info provided by the random Google user.

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Can you bank fish most of the trail or just certain areas?

r bighill | Dec 30, 2019
New River Trail State Park (Owner) | Dec 31, 2019

You can fish anywhere you can get to the water. There are several places where we have created fishing areas. You might want to call the park to find out where they are: 276-699-6778

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Does any one know how much foster falls costs to camp per night?

Mad Hatter | Dec 30, 2019
S. J. | Dec 31, 2019

$15 a person at Foster Falls campground. http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/parkfees

If I have a valid North Carolina concealed carry permit can I conceal carry on the New River State trail park ?

Nick Barber | Dec 30, 2018
New River Trail State Park (Owner) | Dec 31, 2018

Yes

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Is this a good place to fish ? If so do you hike into fish ?

Casey Triplett | Dec 30, 2018
New River Trail State Park (Owner) | Dec 31, 2018

This linear park parallels a 39-mile stretch of the New River. Boat ramps are available at Allisonia, Foster Falls and Austinville. The river supports outstanding populations of just about every major freshwater game fish in the state. You’ll find smallmouth bass, spotted bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, striped bass, white bass, hybrid striped bass, muskellunge, walleye, black crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, yellow perch, redbreast sunfish and bluegill. State records caught in the New River include muskellunge (45 pounds, 8 ounces), smallmouth bass (8 pounds, 1 ounce) and yellow perch (2 pounds, 7 ounces). The state record spotted bass came (3 pounds, 10 ounces) from nearby Claytor Lake. The New River is bound to yield many more record-setting catches in the future.

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How do we alert park staff/rangers of potential safety issues, like unregistered campers, etc.?

Penny Collins | Dec 30, 2018
Bridget Neal | Dec 31, 2018

Go to one of the offices, gates, stores or flag one down inside the park. I've never been there that I haven't run into one.

How is the island to camp on is it maintained is their bathrooms

RR K | Dec 30, 2018
RR K | Dec 31, 2018

Don't think we be going here then

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Does it have any were to shower we were planing a camping trip for a week

RR K | Dec 30, 2018
New River Trail State Park (Owner) | Dec 31, 2018

No showers. It is a primitive camping experience and because it is right on the water there is a challenge to maintain drain fields for sewage and waste water disposal so we maintain the camping for folks who want a primitive experience.

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With your campsites being primitive, is there any electricity at all to blow our air mattress up from inside our tent?

Jessica Poff | Dec 30, 2018
SIDECAR RICH | Dec 31, 2018

Nothing, use a 12volt car adapter

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Does this campground provide firewood

Noah Justice | Dec 30, 2018
ARK Roscoe | Dec 31, 2018

You have to buy bundles at the campground store.

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