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We pulled out the tent for this unique park, one of four Virginia State Parks that offer primitive camping only. And let me tell you, this Texas girl continues to be shocked that tent camping can actually be enjoyable during the summer here in Virginia. We even got chilly during the night!
The great mountainous location with campsites right on the banks of a cool river definitely contributes to the perfect camping atmosphere.
New River Trail State Park is incredible. Now at the top of the list of favorite parks for my crew. And this is saying a lot because this involves roughing it a little more than our camper stays. But Foster Falls where we camped was magical with so many fun adventures we didn’t even miss the electricity, running water, or even bathhouses (although a bathhouse would be a bonus!).
There are three campgrounds in this state park. And we opted for Foster Falls because the sites at Millrace Campground are right on the New River.
Sleeping to the sounds of the rushing water, walking from our site right to the river, hopping on our bikes, and hitting the New River Trail… all aspects that make this place like no other.
This state park covers 57 miles of the New River Trail, a rails-to-trails path, 39 of those miles running along the New River. So if you enjoy kayaking, canoeing, tubing, fishing, cycling, horseback riding, or history, this is the place for you! The historic Shot Tower is a short 1.2-mile bike ride on the trail from Foster Falls, and the 77-step climb to the top of this 200-year-old tower where ammunition was once ingeniously made is fascinating.
This weekend adventure was both exhilarating and relaxing, one that we didn’t want to end. We will most definitely be returning. I’m already envisioning the trail painted with the amazing colors of fall!
Tips:
Be prepared to cart your stuff. Vehicles are not permitted into the campground and are parked in the nearby parking lot. Therefore, all gear must be transported to your site. We brought our collapsible wagon but they actually provide metal wagons to use, which was super helpful. So, no need to bring your own wagon.
There are rental options. We brought our own bikes, kayaks, and tubes but they rent out all of the above. So, if you don’t have it or don’t want to lug it, there are options. They also provide a shuttle service for a fee, but we found a fun way around the need for a shuttle (more on that below!).
New to primitive camping? Bring backpacking body wipes in lieu of shower toiletries. Bring a potty bucket (read about this DIY contraption here) to prevent middle-of-the-night treks to the pit toilet. Bring simple backpacking meals and non-perishable foods to cut down on the need for a cooler or dishwashing. If you need to keep your phone (i.e. camera!) charged, bring a cell phone power bank, solar charger, or a camper battery with a 12-volt converter (that’s what we did because, well, we happen to have one due to our camper being recently totaled - but this is not exactly the lightest, most compact option.) Bring headlights (or neck lights like these that we love). And bring drinking water, although there is potable water at the pit toilets.
Enjoy hammock camping? These campsites have 3 wooden posts with heavy-duty eye bolts for hanging hammocks, perfect for those who prefer sleeping hammock-style.
If bringing your own bike that happens to have tubeless tires, be sure to bring an extra tire. My husband ran over something gnarly that left a huge gash in his tire. The camp store has tubes for purchase, but not tires. After the incredible staff tried to help him out, he eventually just rented one of their bikes. Which worked out perfectly. Big shout out to Chief Ranger Dwayne, Lisa, Jeff, and Officer Davis!
Campground
Paddling and Pedaling
Fast Facts (and Opinions)
Location: New River Trail State Park - Max Meadows, VA
Equipment: Tent
Date: August 2023
Weather: Sunny, warm during the day and cool at night
Kid-Friendly: Yes (ours were ages 11 and 9)
Dog-Friendly: Yes (but we didn't bring ours on this trip so that we could kayak and bike)
Site: 15
Primitive camping only in this state park
Walk-in from parking lot about .25 mile - wagons are available to help haul gear
Gravel site with picnic table, bench, hammock poles, lantern pole, and a spot to lock up bikes
View of river through the trees
Partial shade - tent in sun in the afternoon
Good amount of trees on backside of site between tent pad and river - good for hammocks and clothesline
Path through trees down to river
Millrace Campground at Foster Falls is one of 3 campgrounds along the 57-mile park - Cliffview Campground near Galax has creekside sites and Double Shoals has 2 very primitive honor system sites accessed from hiking trail or paddling river only
Bathhouse:
No bathhouse
2 pit toilets are located near campground parking lot - they do have lights as well as wall-mounted baby changing stations
Potable water available near pit toilets
Cell Service: Yes (Verizon)
Park Highlights:
Click here to watch highlight reel.
New River
Beautiful river with class II-III rapids
Can access right from campsite
Can wade (carefully), tube, kayak, canoe
Kayaks, canoes, and tubes are available for rent at camp store
Air compressor available for filling your own tubes at camp store
New River Trail
57-mile rails-to-trails path
Available for biking, hiking, and horseback riding
Packed gravel/dirt
Pretty flat
Runs along the river for 39 miles with glimpses of water views
Several pit toilets and picnic areas along the way
Paddling from Austinville to Foster Falls / Peddling from Foster Falls to Austinville
Drove 15 minutes from the campground to the boat ramp in Austinville (loved seeing a nod to Texas and Stephen F. Austin at the memorial park beside the parking lot for the boat ramp)
Launched our 4 sit-on-top kayaks and paddled 4 miles (2 hours) back to our campsite at Foster Falls
Great trip with mostly flat water and 3 separate class II rapids - fairly easy to navigate but plan on getting wet (2 of the 4 of us fell out at one point)
Pulled out right at our campsite
Ate lunch and then hopped on our bikes and pedaled 5 miles (1 hr. 10 mins with stop at the Shot Tower) on the New River Trail back to the truck at the boat launch in Austinville
Stopped and toured the historic Shot Tower right on the trail 1.2 miles from the campground
Shot Tower
Previously its own state park but now part of New River Trail State Park
200-year-old tower used for making ammunition
When open (check the times) you can hear from a ranger about its history and then climb the 77 steps to the top
Historic Foster Falls
Remnants of 19th-century iron furnace
The Inn at Foster Falls - previously a hotel, a school, and then an orphanage - just recently converted to a beautiful 10-room boutique hotel - looks like it would be a perfect romantic getaway retreat for the adventurous couple!
Area Highlights:
New River General Store - stopped here to pick up ice cream treats on our drive back from picking up the truck at the boat ramp in Austinville (the camp store also sells ice cream treats!)
Park Hikes:
We (surprisingly!) didn't hike at all on this trip. While New River Trail is definitely open to hikers, we chose to bike it instead.
Hoover Mountain Biking Area - we sadly didn't make it over to this area just down the road from Millrace Campground, but there are several trails open to bikers and hikers.
Area Hikes:
None that we explored
Other Campsites:
Sites we would consider in Millrace Campground:
5 - slightly more private with a little more space around the site, river access, and closer to pit toilet
6 - closer to pit toilet, great lawn area behind site before you get to river
13 - nice lawn area, lots of trees, and more shady
Things to Do Next Visit (Because There's Just Never Enough Time!):
Tubing! - we brought tubes, but just ran out of time - the "falls" looked like it would be a lot of fun in a tube
Hoover Mountain Biking Area
Fishing
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