New River State Park near Boone, NC is really three park-ettes sprinkled along the edge of the New River. Since most of the land is family owned along the New River, these small state areas offer access to one of the oldest rivers in the world. In fact, geologists think the New River is second only to the Nile in age.
In 1965, Appalachian Power Company applied to dam up the New. The outcry from locals was so loud that 26.5 miles running from Dog Creek up to the Virginia state line were set-aside as a “State Scenic River.” Other titles added include “National Wild and Scenic River” (1976) and “American Heritage River” (1998). In other words, this section of the river is carefully protected and won’t end up damned under.
The best way to see the river is to canoe or to inner tube. This is a wide and easy flowing stream with lots of vegetation along the banks. If you’ve never been canoeing, if you’re teaching others to canoe, or if you want a lazy romantic ride down the river, then The New is just perfect. If you’re a thrill seeker, then you probably want to head for the Nantahala.
The state park areas are good places to park and put in your canoe. The Wagoner Road Access is at River Mile mark 26 (southeast of Jefferson). The US 221 Access is at River Mile 15 (northeast of Jefferson). The third area Allegheny County part of the park can only be reached by canoe, so you won’t be parking there. There are also bridges along the New River that can be used as launch spots if you have someone to drop you off.
If you don’t own a canoe, then you can rent at Zaloo’s Canoes 800-535-4427 or www.zaloos.com. They help you jacket up and then launch for either a 2-hour trip or for an overnighter. The boys and I went on the 2-hour trip last time, and we are thinking about the overnighter for our next visit. We had a terrific time. The water was slow and shallow so that the kids could learn to paddle and steer without getting swept along and ramming into everything like when we went whitewater rafting this year.
You can camp at the state park areas, but these are primitive spaces. You’ll find a picnic table and grill as well at pit toilets and drinking water and that’s about it. If you want hook ups, then try River Camp USA (800-RIVERCAMP or www.rivercamp.net) or New River Canoe and Campground (336-372-8793). Both campgrounds have canoe rentals on site with pick up.
Fishing is good in the New. Smallmouth bass fishing is some of the best in the state. You can also catch muskellunge. Those are the largest fresh water game fish you can catch. They are stocked downriver of US 221 bridge. You probably need to wade in or fish from a flat bottom fishing boat, since the banks are very vegetated and much of the land is private. If you are over 16 years, then you need a NC fishing permit. You can get those at bait stores, community stores, or even at Wal Mart.
Be sure to visit the Frescos if you go to New River State Park. They are right near Zaloo’s and alongside the river. You’ll see the signs though they are small and you need to watch for them.
The Frescos are fabulous wall paintings in very small rural churches. Ben Long studied Fresco painting in Italy and returned to North Carolina with dreams of painting and of keeping the art of Fresno painting alive. Fresco painting is basically taking color and plaster and the wall is the painting or vice versa. Bigger churches would not take a chance on Long and his group of young painters-in-training, but these small churches decided to let Long paint on the walls.
You’ll find 3 very small Episcopal churches with huge paintings on the walls. One is of Mary pregnant and another of the Last Supper. Pregnant Mary causes a bit of a stir in North Carolina. Outside the churches are plants and flowers of all kinds. These look like storybook spaces, but they really are functioning churches.
Another neat place to stop is in downtown West Jefferson at Main and 4th Street. That is the Ashe County Cheese Company, which is the only cheese-making factory in NC. You can see cheese being made and buy fresh cheese. Call 336-246-2501 if you need for information on the cheese factory.
If you don’t get filled up on cheese, then try out the Garden Gate Café on East Main Street or Lily and the Three Bears Sandwich and Bakery in Glendale Springs. The Café has veggie dishes, soups and salads. Three Bears is known for the yeast bread with home-smoked meats, pies, sticky buns and such. If you want home style cooking, then Greenfield Restaurant is a good bet.
Just a little ways outside of Jefferson in Laurel Springs, you can go to an old fashioned barn dance. From 7pm to 11pm every Saturday, live music and dancing at Mountain Music Jamboree makes for a fun evening. You can order food and soft drinks, but they don’t have alcohol at the dance hall.
New River is a neat spot to visit and canoe or tube. You can stop by and take a short 2-hour trip and see the Frescos or you can stay over and enjoy the river and camp. There are also a few motels and B&Bs in the area as well as cabins for rent. I would say this is best for a weekend getaway trip. That gives you time to unwind and enjoy the river plus see the sites in the area.
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