With a 57-mile-long multi-use trail that follows one of the world’s oldest rivers, New River Trail State Park offers a range of activities.

From biking and fishing to the 75-foot Shot Tower and 100-year-old trestles, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a nature lover or a history buff.

And now, the park has expanded its offerings with two exciting new features: the Ivanhoe Birding Trail and the Foster Falls Self-Guided Tour.

Keep reading to learn more.

The Ivanhoe Birding Trail: A new way to connect with nature

At the start of the Ivanhoe Birding Trail, you'll find a bird sighting board

If you’re a beginner or seasoned birder, Ivanhoe Birding Trail is for you. It’s located in a birding hotspot, and more than 100 species have been identified on the trail since opening, including the killdeer, great blue heron, belted kingfisher and various woodpeckers like the red-bellied, hairy and pileated. Because of the great variety of species that can be seen here, it's been added to the Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail. 

The 48-acre property has 2.5 miles of trails lined with interpretive signs on the different species you may see and their habitats. The trail is rated easy and winds through a mix of hardwood forest, shrubby fields and wetlands.

Birders with Friends of New River Trail walking along Ivanhoe Birding Trail

Since there’s no parking lot at the Ivanhoe Birding Trail, you’ll have to walk, bike or horseback ride the 1.2 miles from the park’s Ivanhoe trailhead. Bring your binoculars and be prepared for a peaceful, immersive experience in nature. Don’t forget to mark off the birds you spot on the citizen science checklist.

Ivanhoe trailhead 

The Ivanhoe Birding Trail was made possible by the great efforts of the Friends of New River Trail, who earned funding through the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and worked with several partners. To learn more about this trail and the birds spotted, click here. 

Foster Falls Self-Guided Tour: A journey through history

The first stop along the Foster Falls Self-Guided Tour

At Foster Falls, there’s another exciting addition: the Foster Falls Self-Guided Tour. This 1-mile walking tour gives you the chance to explore the park’s rich history and industrial past at your own pace.

Foster Falls was once a bustling ironworks community, and remnants of that remain for you to discover, including late 19th-century commercial and industrial structures. The tour features 12 stops highlighting these historically significant features, like the orphanage, iron furnace, sawmill, gristmill and a 1960s N&W caboose.

Close-up of interpretive sign showing the stops along the route

With the perfect combination of education and nature, the tour is great for history lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and families.

Foster Falls Depot (stop 11) seen from The Inn (aka The Hotel, stop 12) at Foster Falls, during fall

The Foster Falls Self-Guided Tour was made possible through a partnership with the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program.

Planning your visit

New River Trail State Park is open daily from dusk to dawn. Complete your visit by tent camping at one of the park’s three primitive campgrounds or booking a room at the Inn at Foster Falls, which is a stop along the self-guided tour.

You can learn more about New River Trail and its activities at virginiastateparks.gov/new-river-trail.