New River State Park
| New River State Park | |
| North Carolina State Park | |
 | |
| Named for: New River | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Ashe |
| Elevation | 2,716 ft (827.8 m) |
| Coordinates | 36°24′55″N 81°23′14″W / 36.41528°N 81.38722°WCoordinates: 36°24′55″N 81°23′14″W / 36.41528°N 81.38722°W |
| Area | 2,911 acres (1,178.0 ha) [1] |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Management | North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation |
| IUCN category | III - Natural Monument |
  Location of New River State Park in North Carolina | |
| Website: New River State Park | |
New River State Park is a North Carolina state park in Ashe County, North Carolina in the United States. Located near Jefferson, North Carolina, it covers 2,911 acres (11.78 km2)[1] in the protected New River watershed. The New River is, ironically, one of the oldest rivers in the United States. It is considered by some geologists to be possibly one of the oldest rivers in the world, between 10 million and 360 million years old. New River State Park is open for year-round recreation, including canoeing, hiking, picnicking, fishing, camping and environmental education. The park is just off U.S. Route 221 in northwestern North Carolina.
History
The New River is one of the oldest rivers in the United States and possibly in the world, with only the Nile River being older. The exact age of the river is impossible to pinpoint, but some geologists believe that it is between 10 million and 360 million years old.[2] The river flows in a generally south-to-north course, which is against the southwest-to-northeast topology of the Appalachian Mountains and the west-to-east flow of most other nearby major rivers. This peculiarity may mean that the New River's formation preceded much of the surrounding landscape.[2]
The river was named in 1651 by Edward Bland a cartographer in England made a map describing the western reaches of colonial Carolina and Virginia. The New River had not been placed on any preceding maps of the area, so Bland named it the "New River".[2] The river was known as Woods River from 1654 until about 1754 for Colonel Abraham Wood at noted pioneer who traded with the native tribes in the area. It was renamed the New River by Peter Jefferson, father of the second President of the United States Thomas Jefferson when he led a surveying party through the mountains of western North Carolina. Apparently the river had again been left off a map so Jefferson named it the New River. The name Woods and New River were used interchangeably until about 1770, when the consensus name became what it is today, the New River.[2]
Human activity along the New River at New River State Park has been traced back as far as 10,000 years ago. Archaeologists have found arrowheads, stone axes and pottery of the Kanawha, Cherokee, Shawnee and Creek tribes. The valley of the New River in what is now Ashe County was a hunting ground for all the tribes and was a major highway from north to south. The natives used both the river and various trails through the valley. Rock shelters along the river have been found, but there is little evidence pointing to any sort of permanent settlement by indigenous peoples.[3]
Colonel Abraham Wood was the earliest European pioneer to reach what is now New River State Park. He arrived in 1654 and found a valley with virgin forests, open meadows and abundant wildlife including, black bear, bison, beaver, and elk. Permanent settlement did not take place until the 1770s when settlers began clearing the mountainous land for farming.[3]
The area in and surrounding New River State Park was largely free of development until 1965 when the Appalachian Power Company applied for a license to build a dam across the New River for hydro-electric power. Local opposition to the project led to the formation of New River State Park in 1975. The North Carolina General Assembly declared that the New River from the confluence of Dog Creek to the Virginia state line was a State Scenic River. The same section of the river was named a National Wild and Scenic River by the United States Department of the Interior in 1976. The legislation of the North Carolina house and the United States Congress have preserved the river a natural state with prohibitions on the building of dams and reservoirs.[3]
Ecology
New River State Park is covered by a thriving second growth forest. The old growth forests were harvested for lumber and other wood products. The forests grow in fertile soil that supports a variety of hardwood trees, pine trees, shrubs and wildflowers. Hardwoods such as oak and hickory grow along the banks of the New River and on the lower slopes of the mountains. Carolina hemlock and various pines grow on the higher slopes. Shrubs found at New River State Park include dogwood, huckleberry, alders and sassafras.[4]
New River State Park is home to fourteen threatened and endangered plants that grow in the valley along the New River. Carolina and Carey's saxifrage, rattlesnake root, spreading avens and purple sedge are protected and the picking of their flowers is prohibited.[4]
Many animals that are commonly found in an eastern woodland environment can be found at New River State Park. White-tailed deer are a common sight. Black bear are seen less often. Mink, river otters, beavers, muskrats and raccoons inhabit the land along the banks of the New River.[4]
Birds of many different species live at New River State Park. Osprey and red-tailed hawks are birds of prey that can be seen soaring above the park. Wild turkey live in the forested lowlands and ruffed grouse live on the mountain slopes. A wide variety of songbirds live throughout the forests. Wood ducks, spotted sandpipers and belted kingfishers live along the river banks.[4]
Recreation
New River State Park is open for year-round recreation, including canoeing, camping, fishing, hiking and picnicking. The New River is a nature canoe trail that is ideal for inexperienced paddlers. It is shallow with waters that are largely gentle with a few mild rapids.
Hiking The park is a great place for a hike! See the Trails page for more information.
Paddling: Easy paddling and spectacular scenery make the New River a natural canoe trail for inexperienced paddlers. Its shallow, gentle waters and mild rapids are perfect for beginners, families and groups, but even expert paddlers return again and again to experience the river's beauty and tranquility.
Along the course, small tributary streams merge with the river and minor rapids stir the water's surface, adding excitement as canoes are maneuvered downstream. The best months for higher water levels are May and June. August and September are low-flow periods. Get current flow information from the USGS website.
Canoeists may leave their vehicles and launch canoes at the Wagoner Road Access Area, located at river mile 26, at the US 221 Access Area, located at river mile 15, or at the Kings Creek Access at river mile 7. All vehicles must register for overnight parking. Canoes may also be launched from several bridges and roadways that cross the river. Parts of the river are suitable for tubing at times. Contact the park office for outfitter tube and canoe rentals.
The Ashe County Chamber of Commerce offers canoe and outfitter information, as well as information about the local area. Visitors desiring to paddle the New River may contact their staff for launch location and take-out instructions.
Below is a listing of estimated river mileage and paddling times between canoe access sites. The time estimates are based on moderate paddling experience.
NC 163 Bridge to Elk Shoals Methodist Campground: 5.5 miles, 3 hr. NC 163 Bridge to SR 1159 Boggs Rd. Bridge: 8.0 miles, 4 hr. Boggs Bridge to NC 88 Bridge (Index, NC): 6.0 miles, 3 hr. 30 min. NC 88 Bridge to Wagoner Rd. Access: 5.0 miles, 2 hr. Wagoner Road Access to US 221 Access: 11.0 miles, 4 hr. 20 min. Wagoner Road Access to SR 1595 Gentry Rd. Bridge: 5.5 miles, 2 hr. 20 min. SR 1595 Gentry Road to SR 1601 Fulton Reeves Bridge: 3.0 miles, 1 hr. Fulton Reeves Bridge to US 221 Bridge: 4.5 miles, 2 hr. US 221 Access to Alleghany Access: 15.0 miles, 6 hr. 30 min. US 221 Bridge to Kings Creek Rd.: 7.5 miles, 3 hr. 30 min. Kings Creek Rd. to Alleghany Co. Access: 5.0 miles, 2 hr. 45 min. Alleghany Co. Access to Va./N.C. Rt. 93 Bridge: 4.0 miles, 2 hr. Fishing: Cast your line from the river banks and reel in tonight's dinner. The south and north forks of the river provide some of the best smallmouth and redeye bass fishing in the region. The south fork downstream from the US 221 bridge is stocked with muskellunge. Trout fishing is excellent in the smaller, faster tributaries, most of which are designated general trout waters and are stocked regularly with rainbow and brown trout. Rockfish also migrate up the New River in the spring behind the shad. Anglers need a state fishing license and must obey the regulations of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
Picnicking: Each of the park's access areas includes a picnic area. Wagoner Road Access Area has a 10-table covered shelter with grills and a fireplace. The shelter is available for group gatherings and may be reserved. A grove of apple trees provides a canopy for 13 tables and two grills. Restrooms and drinking water are located nearby at the park office and the campground shower-house.
The US 221 Access Area, located at river mile 15, has a small picnic area downstream from the campground. Bathrooms are located between the campground and the picnic area. An 8-table shelter with a grill is also available by reservation.
The community building located at the 221 Access features a large meeting room, kitchen facilities and restrooms. Contact the park office for reservations and a fee schedule.
Three picnic tables are provided in an open meadow at the Alleghany County Access Area, located at river mile 1 near the Virginia border. This area can be reached only by canoe. A pit toilet and a pump for drinking water are also provided. The Kings Creek Access Area offers two tables and two grills with restrooms nearby. Resource: http://www.ncparks.gov/new-river-state-park/activities
Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of New River State Park:
- Elk Knob State Park
- Grandfather Mountain State Park
- Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia
- Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
- Stone Mountain State Park
References
- 1 2 "Size of the North Carolina State Parks System" (XLS). North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. January 1, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "About the New River". Friends of the New River. Retrieved 2007-11-25.
- 1 2 3 "New River State Park: History". North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Retrieved 2007-11-25.
- 1 2 3 4 "New River State Park: Ecology". North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
- ↑ 5. http://www.ncparks.gov/new-river-state-park/activities