New River tubing and kayaking near West Jefferson, NC
New River State Park says all of its accesses allow launching kayaks and inner tubes on a shallow, gentle river. Day use has no fee. Bring your own kayak or tube.
Park accesses
The park page listed these accesses as open that day. The park describes itself as covering seven accesses in Ashe and Alleghany counties, 35 miles northeast of Boone.
- U.S. 221 Access and Visitor Center, 358 New River State Park Road, Laurel Springs, NC 28644. In October the posted hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Wagoner Access, 1477 Wagoner Access Road, Jefferson, NC 28640. In October the posted hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Kings Creek Access, 2250 Kings Creek Road, Piney Creek, NC 28663. In October the posted hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Elk Shoals Access, 349 Methodist Camp Road, West Jefferson, NC 28694. The page says this access is day use only, sunrise to sunset year-round: hiking, picnicking, and river access.
The visitor center is listed as open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The park is closed on Christmas Day. Other months use different hours on the same park page.
Camping, hiking, and dogs
The park lists tent sites, trailer and RV sites, group sites, and paddle-in camping. Camping has a fee. Hiking is listed as 9 miles. Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites, not inside buildings, and must be on an attended leash no longer than 6 feet.
If you fish, read the North Carolina trout fishing rules before you go. For the mountain above town, see hiking near West Jefferson. One well-behaved dog is welcome per cabin, with a $75 dog fee for each cabin that has a dog. See dog-friendly cabins.