The New River flows north through three states; at New River State Park, it shapes a landscape with seven access points. When planning your trip, it is important to distinguish the locations and their different conditions: the park is in Ashe and Alleghany counties, while Stone Mountain State Park is in Alleghany and Wilkes counties. Trails, river access points, and historic homesteads offer different experiences—from paddling access to a short walk.
Distinguishing River Access and Hiking Trails
The New River is protected as a National Wild and Scenic River. Alleghany Access in New River State Park can be reached only by paddlecraft; Kings Creek Access is used for parking for this access point. There are also hiking trails at Alleghany Access. If you plan to visit this part of the park, consider the water access and designated parking together, rather than assuming you can drive directly to Alleghany Access.
The trails at Doughton Park are laid out differently: more than 30 miles of hiking trails wind through pastures and along streams. The 7.5-mile Bluff Mountain Trail runs from Brinegar Cabin to Basin Cove Overlook and offers viewpoints along the way. The 3.3-mile Basin Creek Trail passes cascading waterfalls. Caudill Cabin, which survived the 1916 flood, is along the trail.
For a shorter loop, the Fodder Stack Trail is a two-mile circuit; wildflowers bloom there in spring, and the terrain is mostly easy to moderate. Cumberland Knob Trail offers a different kind of walk: it is half a mile long, paved, rated easy, and has 100 feet of elevation change. Gully Creek Trail, meanwhile, offers views of a mountain stream and plants along its cool, damp banks.
Mountain Views and Cultural History
At Stone Mountain State Park, a 600-foot granite dome rises above the landscape and is designated a National Natural Landmark. At the foot of the mountain is the restored Hutchinson Homestead, a farm dating to the mid-19th century. A section of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail runs through the park near the backcountry campsites. For a different perspective, Mahogany Rock Overlook offers sweeping views of Buck Mountain, Doughton Mountain, and Cheek Mountain. From August to early November, local birdwatchers observe and count hawks there.
The area’s history can also be seen in specific places. The main buildings of Brinegar Cabin were built in 1886. The cabin offers a glimpse into Appalachian farming and family life from 1885 to 1935; together with the springhouse, it is a remnant of the Brinegar family’s former 125-acre farm. Cumberland Knob at milepost 217.5 is considered the birthplace of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Doughton Park is its largest recreation area.
More Travel Interests and Accommodations
For culture in Sparta, Alleghany Arts and Crafts operates a gallery at 18 S. Main St. downtown. Check opening details before you go. Alleghany Jubilee offers line-dancing classes on Monday evenings and live music on Tuesday evenings and Saturdays; check the specific event dates before your trip.
Your choice of accommodations can also reflect your planned activities: Doughton Park Campground has 135 sites, making it a specific camping option. If you are looking for hotels, you can match your options to your interests—such as shorter or longer hikes, river access, or cultural history—without assuming that all the locations mentioned have the same access conditions.
Discover more destinations: Roaring Gap, Lincoln County, Stokes County, Mitchell County, Burke County, Moore County, Person County, Macon County.
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