New River Trail State Park
Trail surface, route, trailhead maps, parking, access points, and activities along your route
Total Distance
57 Miles
Starting Point
Fries, Virginia
Trail Type
Rail-Trail
Difficulty
Easy to Moderate
Overview of New River Trail State Park
The New River Trail State Park is a 57-mile linear park that follows an abandoned Norfolk Western railroad right-of-way through the scenic New River Valley in southwestern Virginia. This multi-use trail is perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty and rich history of the region.
Running from Fries and Galax to Pulaski, the trail parallels the New River for much of its length, crossing historic trestles, passing through tunnels, and offering stunning views of the river, forests, and surrounding mountains. The gentle grade (less than 2% throughout) makes it accessible for all skill levels. *Trail Photo by Charlie Lawrence.
Interactive Trail Map
Explore the full New River Trail with trailheads, access points, trestle bridges, and points of interest. Zoom and pan to plan your route.
Trailhead Information
Detailed information for each access point along the trail, including parking, facilities, and mileage. Double-click to zoom in and move map.
Fries Trailhead
The southern terminus and most popular access point. Excellent facilities and direct access to scenic riverside sections.
Location
Fries, VA 24330
36.7161° N, 80.9785° W
Parking
Large lot, 40+ spaces
From Fries
0 miles (starting point)
Facilities
Restrooms, picnic area, water fountain
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
Surface
Crushed limestone
Cliffview Access
Quieter access point with beautiful river views. Ideal for those seeking a more remote experience.
Location
Cliffview, VA
36.702° N, 80.916° W
Parking
Small lot, 15 spaces
From Fries
5 miles north on trail
Facilities
Parking only
Accessibility
Limited accessibility
Surface
Crushed limestone
Byllesby Dam
Historic dam site with impressive views. Popular fishing spot with good facilities.
Location
Austinville, VA
36.7846° N, 80.9348° W
Parking
Medium lot, 25 spaces
From Fries
7 miles north on trail
Facilities
Restrooms, picnic area
Accessibility
Partially accessible
Surface
Crushed limestone
Foster Falls
Main visitor center with extensive facilities. Excellent starting point for exploring the middle sections of the trail.
Location
Foster Falls, VA 24360
36.9167° N, 80.8500° W
Parking
Large lot, 50+ spaces
From Fries
28.6 miles north on trail, 45 minutes by car
Facilities
Visitor center, restrooms, picnic area, water
Accessibility
Fully accessible
Surface
Crushed limestone
Shot Tower
Historic Shot Tower State Park. Unique landmark and popular rest stop with interpretive exhibits.
Location
Austinville, VA
36.9242° N, 80.8506° W
Parking
Medium lot, 30 spaces
From Fries
38.4 miles north on trail, 55 minutes by car
Facilities
Historic site, restrooms, picnic area
Accessibility
Partially accessible
Surface
Crushed limestone
Galax Trailhead
Southern terminus with connections to downtown Galax. Good facilities and nearby amenities.
Location
Galax, VA 24333
36.668150° N, 80.924720° W
Parking
Large lot, 45 spaces
From Fries
15 miles south, 20 minutes by car
Facilities
Restrooms, picnic area, water fountain
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
Surface
Crushed limestone
Starting from Fries
The trail has several access points. Fries, Virginia has ample parking, restaurants, lodging, a RV park and bike rentals.
Directions to Fries Access: Located at the southern end of the trail's western branch, Fries is easily accessible via VA-94. The main trailhead parking is situated right along the river, providing immediate access to some of the trail's most scenic sections, including the Fries Dam and impressive Fries Junction trestle bridge.
Tips for Accessing the Trail:
- Arrive early on weekends to secure the best parking spots near the trailhead.
- Check out local outfitters in Fries if you need to rent bicycles, kayaks, canoes or tubes.
- Download offline maps before your trip, as cell service can be limited in some areas along the trail corridor.
Official Trail Map
Trail Resources & Guides
Trail Directions
Detailed driving directions to various access points along the New River Trail.
Download PDFExplore the Trail in 3D
Discover the New River Trail in immersive 3D using Google Earth. *Click the link and then Slideshow (top right) and then slides (at lower left) for a quick trip to Fries Junction and the trestle bridge!*
Planning your route
Getting to the trail from Fries
Fries, Virginia serves as an excellent base for accessing the New River Trail. The Fries Trailhead is located in the heart of town with clear signage and ample parking. From downtown Fries, simply follow Main Street to the trailhead parking area.
For other access points, take US-94 north from Fries to reach Cliffview and Byllesby Dam. Foster Falls and Shot Tower are accessible via I-77 and require approximately 45-55 minutes of driving from Fries. Galax is located 15 miles south of Fries via US-94 and VA-89.
Trail navigation tips
The New River Trail is well-marked with mile markers every half-mile, making it easy to track your progress and plan rest stops. Trail maps are available at major access points, and we recommend downloading offline maps before your trip as cell service can be unreliable in some areas.
For one-way trips, consider arranging a vehicle shuttle or using local shuttle services. Many visitors park at one trailhead, bike or hike to another access point, and arrange pickup. This allows you to experience different sections of the trail without backtracking.
Accessibility information
The New River Trail's gentle grade and smooth crushed limestone surface make it one of the most accessible long-distance trails in Virginia. The Fries and Foster Falls trailheads offer the best accessibility features, including wheelchair-accessible restrooms, parking, and trail access.
While the trail surface is generally suitable for wheelchairs and adaptive bikes, some sections may be challenging after heavy rain. The historic trestles have wooden plank surfaces with small gaps that may require caution. Contact the visitor center at Foster Falls for current accessibility conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about visiting New River Trail State Park:
Explore Destinations & Activities
Plan a day trip, a weekend, or a fishing retreat with these related guides along the New River Trail.
Fries, Virginia
Trailhead town & base camp
Galax, Virginia
Southern trailhead & music
Foster Falls
Visitor center & livery
Shot Tower
Historic landmark
Cliffview
River access & camping
Draper
Northern trail access
Biking Guide
Routes & rentals
Hiking Guide
Day hikes & scenery
Fishing Guide
Species, spots & seasons
Photography
Best shots & light
Things to Do
All activities
Plan Your Visit
Itineraries & packing
Planning a Trip
The trip-planning page has itineraries, a packing checklist, and lodging information.