Life Outside Fall 2018 - 27

Virginia's state park
system, born in 1936
with Douthat and five
others, has come a
long way in terms of
things to do. We visit
three of the more
recent additions to the
system, and explore
their wonders.
NATURAL TUNNEL
The "8th Wonder of the World"
is hidden here in Virginia's
mountainous backyard.

IN 1936, VIRGINIA OPENED its
state park system with six state
parks-Douthat, Fairy Stone,
Hungry Mother, Seashore (now
First Landing), Staunton River,
and Westmoreland. Since
then, the system has grown
to 37 parks, many of which are
located here in the mountains.
We decided to take a road trip
this summer to visit some of the
lesser-known parks and share
the system's hidden treasures
scattered across the western
half of our state. Buckle up and
hit the road; these parks are
worth the drive!

PHOTO COURTESY OF VIRGINIA STATE PARKS

THROUGH A NEW SET OF EYES
Rural southwest Virginia has it all-craggy mountain
views, lush, rolling hills and unique small towns
dotting the agrarian landscape. Stitching it together,
the New River winds lazily across the counties of
Grayson, Carroll, Wythe, Pulaski, Montgomery, and
Giles, flowing northward towards West Virginia and,
eventually, the Mississippi River. The second oldest
river in the world (younger only than the Nile River
in Egypt), it's now easy to explore the New River
thanks to the New River State Park.
Designated a Virginia State Park in 1987, New River
State Park parallels the river for over 57 miles from
Pulaski to Galax. Covered in crushed gravel with very
little grade, the trail is perfect for a daylong cycling
adventure alongside this ancient river.
In order to tackle the trail in one day, plan on
starting early in Galax. First, fuel up with a classic

JES GEARING

PHOTO COURTESY OF VIRGINIA STATE PARKS

southern breakfast at Creekside Cafe and then drive
to the trailhead on the outskirts of town. Check out
the historic caboose in the parking lot with its nod
to the Crooked Road Music Trail and then start
pedaling north. Because this is a rail trail, the grade
is never steep, though by starting at Galax, you're
technically "going downhill" the entire way to Pulaski.
With several campgrounds located close to the
Galax Trail head, if you'd rather plan a bikepacking
weekend, start the opposite direction in Pulaski,
ride to the Cliffview Campground near mile marker
(mm) 49. This official park campground offers shaded
tent pads with views of the river.
For the day trip option, however, after passing
the Fries Junction (mm 40), you'll spend almost
20 uninterrupted miles pedaling alongside the river
beneath the welcome shade of trees. Just before you
reach Ivanhoe, you'll see Buck Dam, an Appalachian

NEW RIVER TRAIL
Saddle up on a horse or a bike
to see the best of the New River though southwest Virginia.

LifeOutsideMag.com // Fall 2018

27
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Life Outside Fall 2018

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