Are you ready for an all-new adventure? As of March 1, 2017 a new public trout fishing area opened at Wilderness Road State Park.

Along with the trout fishing area, a new 1.1 mile loop hiking trail, the Fisherman’s Loop Hiking Trail, along Indian Creek will be ready for public use.

The staff at Wilderness Road began working with fisheries biologists with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) more than a year ago to bring this new outdoor recreational opportunity to the community. The park has one mile of frontage on Indian Creek that has been stocked with brown and rainbow trout.

One of the first trout caught at Wilderness Road's new trout fishing stream

The waters have been classified as a Category C Delayed Harvest trout stream. Indian Creek will be under Delayed Harvest regulations October 1 – June 15 annually. During this time, only artificial lures may be used, the area will be catch and release only, no live bait may be used and a trout license is required, in conjunction with a freshwater fishing license. From June 16 – September 30 the above regulations are not in effect and only a freshwater fishing license is required.

“The staff at Wilderness Road is excited to offer new outdoor recreation experiences in 2017. Along with the new trout fishing, there are new hiking opportunities for the public to enjoy, including a new 0.9 mile hiking trail on the North side of the park. That trail will offer new views of Martin’s Station and the iconic White Rocks,” explained park manager Scott Bowen.

The trout fishing area will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. until dusk. There are two new parking lots that will provide access to Indian Creek, and the new Fisherman’s Loop Hiking Trail. The first lot is located on Baileytown Road on the North Side of the Creek. The other lot is on the westbound lane of Route 58 just prior to the Baileytown Road intersection.

“A $4 daily parking fee is required at all times for these areas. Fees collected are used to upkeep and maintain park grounds and facilities,” stated park manager Scott Bowen. Fee collection stations are located in each parking area. Please follow the instructions on signage in those areas.

A fisherman tries out Wilderness Road's new trout fishing

Fishing license purchases and artificial lures will be available at the park visitor center from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. daily.

Annual parking passes, which allow parking access to all areas of the state park year round are also available for purchase at the park visitor center, by calling the State Park Reservations Center at 800-933-PARK, or here.

For more information on these new opportunities, please call the park at 276-445-3065, via email here, or by visiting the Friends of Wilderness Road State Park’s website, or the official State Parks website here.

Click here for a Google Map with driving directions to Wilderness Road State Park in Southwest Virginia.