Stone Cliff Trail

Stone Cliff Trail is a 2.7-mile, one-way walk along a retired road beside the New River, from the campground picnic area downstream to its far end. The park rates it easy to moderate and allows both hikers and bikes. The published access is at one end, so if you return to your car, plan on roughly 5½ miles and about two to three hours. The old road is graded and tree cover shades much of it; this is a longer walk, not a steep climb.

The river stays close through much of the walk, with wooded stretches and places where you can reach the bank. It’s a good choice when you want a quiet riverside outing more than a summit or a big overlook. Keep in mind that the mileage on the trail sign is one way: turn around at the far end and follow the same road back.

The route finishes near an 11-acre old-growth forest, but reaching the stand means leaving the maintained trail and climbing steep, rough ground through thick vegetation and downed trees. That’s a serious off-trail trip for experienced backcountry hikers, not a simple spur to tack onto the walk. You can enjoy the river trail without making that climb.

Most of the gorge’s original forest was cleared as farms, mines, towns and railroads spread through the area. The Stone Cliff stand survived that clearing, was identified in 2015, and joined the Old-Growth Forest Network that April. The park lists oaks, hickories, yellow buckeye and beech there. Large old trees, layered canopy and fallen wood are part of what makes an old-growth forest different from a younger stand.

The trail begins beside the picnic area at Stone Cliff Beach Campground. Follow the gravel access road past the boat launch to the parking area. Composting toilets are available year-round, but there’s no potable water or food service at the campground. Pets are allowed on park trails and must stay on a physical leash no longer than six feet.