Bike the Trail. Discover the Story.
A field trip to the New River Trail and the town of Fries, Virginia lets students see how a river, a railroad, a mill, and a community shaped one corner of Appalachia — and how the trail itself became the next chapter.
An outdoor visit with a deeper story
Many groups already come to the New River Trail to bike, hike, or spend a day outdoors. This section is here to help teachers and group leaders turn that visit into something richer — a chance to understand how geography, transportation, industry, and culture came together to build a real Appalachian community.
The story of Fries is not a museum behind glass. Students can ride the very railbed that once carried cotton and coal, stand near the dam that powered a mill, and hear the old-time music that mill families helped keep alive. The landscape is the lesson.
Programs are currently being developed for school and organized group visits. This page outlines the concept so educators can start planning; final activities and availability are still taking shape with the Town of Fries, the Historic Fries Theatre, and community partners.
The Story in Seven Chapters
Every field trip can follow the same arc — the thread that connects a river to a railroad to a town to a trail.
River
The New River shaped settlement and industry.
Railroad
The Norfolk & Western Railway reached the valley.
Washington Mill
A textile mill built a company town.
Town
Fries grew around the mill and the rail.
Music
Workers and families carried old-time music.
New River Trail
The railbed became a 57-mile trail.
Future
Heritage tourism writes the next chapter.
Explore the Section
Four ways to use these pages, depending on what your group needs.
Built for educators and group leaders
If you lead a group of young people — or curious adults — toward the outdoors and history, this section is written for you.
- Teachers & school administrators
- Field-trip coordinators
- Homeschool groups & co-ops
- Scout leaders
- 4-H groups
- Boys & Girls Clubs
- YMCA groups
- Church youth groups
- Summer camps
- College classes
- Cycling & community organizations
Close enough for a day trip
Fries sits in far Southwest Virginia, reachable in roughly two hours from much of the Piedmont and High Country of North Carolina and Virginia.
Bring your group to Fries
Programs are currently being developed for school and organized group visits. Contact us to discuss a future group experience, and explore the trail and town in the meantime.
Related New River Trail Guides
Keep going with these related New River Trail guides.
History of Fries & the Trail
The railroad, the mill, and the rails-to-trails conversion.
Read moreFries, Virginia
The town at mile 0 — lodging, dining, and trail access.
Read moreMusic of the Region
Old-time music, fiddlers, and the heritage of the valley.
Read moreBiking the Trail
Route notes for cycling the railbed with a group.
Read more