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Outdoor Recreation in Galax
Just pick a direction in Galax – you’ll always find a way to get out to nature, whether it’s hiking or biking a trail, relaxing in a park, camping, and more.
Explore The Outdoors in Galax!
Parks & Trails in Galax
The below map shows various trailheads, parks, and recreation opportunities in Galax. Read on below to learn more about these, and make sure to check out the associated websites for hours, access information, and other details before visiting!
To get directions with the map below:
- Click the marker on the map that you want to go to.
- A pane with information about the parking lot will open, click the icon in the top right of the pane or window to get directions.
Matthews State Forest
The 566-acre Matthews State Forest is great for biking, trail running, walking, birding or horse back riding. The mixed hardwood and white pine stands are managed for multiple uses of recreation, wildlife, timber, water quality. The forest serves as an education, demonstration, and research site. For a map of the park, click here. Be sure to check their website before visiting for up to date park info.
New River Trail State Park
The New River Trail is a 57-mile linear park that follows a re-purposed railroad right-of-way. The gentle slope makes it perfect for all ages and pets. Ride your bike, run, birdwatch, spot wildflowers, or simply stroll and enjoy all the beauty of nature and Chestnut Creek and the New River. The park parallels the scenic and historic New River for 39 miles and passes through four counties and the city of Galax. Parking is $7 per standard vehicle. Use the self-pay envelope for cash or check and place in the honor safe. Credit cards can be used in the park office when open or by using the QR code self-pay app.
New River Trail Features
- Two tunnels: 135 feet and 193 feet long
- Three major bridges: Hiwassee – 951 feet; Ivanhoe – 670 feet; Fries Junction – 1,089 feet
- Nearly 30 smaller bridges and trestles
- A historic shot tower used more than 200 years ago to make ammunition
- Potable water is available only at Galax, Cliffview Campground (Dannelly Park) and Foster Falls as well as at the horse trailer lots at Ivanhoe, Draper and Dora Junction.
- Five non-flush toilets are available along the trail.
Click the images below to zoom in:
Camping
New River Trail State Park has three primitive campgrounds: Cliffview, Millrace and Double Shoals. There’s no vehicular access to the campsites and no showers or bathhouses.
Cliffview Campground (Carroll County near Galax) is a trailside campground with primitive tent camping only. It overlooks Chestnut Creek. Access is from the Dannelly Fitness Complex parking lot and across a footbridge (no direct vehicle access). Twelve primitive campsites are available. Note: This campground is 24 miles from the Millrace Campground.
All sites are timbered and marked. Each site has a fire ring, lantern post, picnic table, access to the New River Trail and non-flush toilet. Drinking water is available. One site, CV001, is universally accessible and is reserved last if not required for a disabled camper.
Reservations are required. Same-day reservations are permitted. Campers must leave their confirmation letter on their car’s dashboard for overnight parking. Campers will need access to a fax machine or will need to pick up the letter at the Cliffview office if there is insufficient time to receive the letter by mail.
Running water at Cliffview Campground is shut off from November through March. Customers must bring water during that time.
More Info:
Trail Guide: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/trail-guide-newrivertrail.pdf.
Here’s a list of entrances, directions and points of interest.
Always visit their website before visiting for the most up to date information.
Fishing & Tubing: https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/new-river/
Explore the Trail
Below are great resources that take you on a tour of and tell you more about the trail!
Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail
The Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail (VBWT), is an organized network of outdoor sites highlighting the best places to see birds and wildlife in the Commonwealth. Galax is part of 2 loops – Mountain Music and Blue Ridge Highlands. Walk a nature trail, paddle a river, or enjoy a scenic overlook to experience some of Virginia’s best wildlife viewing. For info on which types of animals can be seen in each region, visit the VBWT website.
Local Businesses & Organizations
Galax Parks & Recreation
The Galax Recreation Center provides all of your favorite programs, classes, events, along with many new an exciting programs for the upcoming year. The current programs and activities that are being offered are senior programs, aquatic exercises classes, youth sports, cardio and weight rooms, indoor walking track, swim lessons, water aerobic classes, yoga, senior exercise classes, open gym. A quick reminder of our outdoor facilities that are available include the walking track at Mt. View and Felts Park, tennis courts, Galax Municipal Golf Course, skate park, picnic shelters, and playgrounds.
For a complete listing of classes and activities, click here.
601 S. Main St
Galax, VA 24333
Phone: & 24 hour info (276) 236-3218
Email: tquesenberry@galaxva.com
For text alerts, text GALAXREC to 888777 on your cell phone
New River Outdoor Adventures
Enjoy our scenic floats down the beautiful New River from canoe, kayak, tandem kayak, or river tube. River floats rage from beginner, for the family or first-time boater to experienced, for the thrill-seeker.
We provide great trail bikes for rent and cover all 57 miles of the New River Trail. Shuttle service is provided for boats and bikes as well. The NROA shop also has lots of items for sale to help make your adventure an enjoyable experience.
5785 Fries Road
Galax, VA 24333
276-237-8823
Website: newriveroutdooradventures.com
New River Trail Outfitters
Our goal is to get you outside making memories. We are here to get you the gear and information to get outside and stay outside. From outerwear to accessories we aim to provide the right wears to stay outside longer! We practice what we preach, be it running, mountain biking, hiking, camping, or any other wild outdoor activity. Stop by and see how we can help you make you next outdoor memory!
Support@NRTOutfitters.com
276-759-7119
122 S Main St
Galax, VA 24333
Website: nrtoutfitters.com
Trails and Recreation beyond Galax
As well as there being plenty to do in Galax, there is tons more to do only 30 minutes to an hour away.
Blue Ridge Music Center
The music center is home to two hiking trails that take you through the beautiful terrain on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Grayson Gravel Trail
The Grayson Gravel Traverse is a 72-mile mixed-surface gravel bike route that connects the Virginia Creeper Trail and New River Trail over well-maintained and remote roads featuring a variety of challenging climbs. The route follows optimal west-east gravel corridors just south of the Grayson Highlands area, in the foothills of Virginia’s highest peaks, criss-crossing the creeks that carry water from the high mountains down to the New River. This overlooked gem of Virginia presents some of the best gravel cycling in the state, mostly unridden and undiscovered.
Grayson Highlands
Near Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, Virginia’s two highest mountains, Grayson Highlands offers scenic views of alpine-like peaks more than 5,000 feet high. Facilities include a visitor center, campgrounds, and hiking trails leading to waterfalls and overlooks. Scenic horse trails and a horse camping area with electric and water hookups, stables and parking for trailers are available. The park provides year-round access to the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail.
Grayson Highlands Resources
Be sure to plan in advance for your trip: click here.
Park Trail Guide here.
The Backpackers Lot is open for overnight parking, but reservations are required. Visit www.reservevaparks.com to make reservations until midnight the day prior to arrival.
Primitive camping (no water or bath house) is available Nov., Mar. and April:
- Park Size: 4,502 acres
- Various elevation: Entrance – 3,698 feet
- Visitor Center – 4,953 feet
- Little Pinnacle – 5,089 feet
Hours: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 276-579-7092;
Email: GraysonHighlands@dcr.virginia.gov
Website: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/grayson-highlands
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. The park office is open Mon. through Fri. from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Visitor Center and Country Store is open Mid-May through Mid-October. Beside the summit of Haw Orchard Mountain, the center has exhibits on pioneer life and plant and animal life of the area. The visitor center also houses the Mountain Crafts Shop, which features crafts made by local artisans.
Fishing
Virginia offers some of the finest freshwater fishing in the country. Whether you’re a casual angler or a serious expert, Virginia is a great place to cast your line. You’ll find picturesque rivers, lakes and streams, not to mention legendary hospitality in communities that welcome outdoor enthusiasts.
Campgrounds
Cliffview Campground
Cliffview Campground is a trailside campground with primitive tent camping only. It overlooks Chestnut Creek. Access is from the Dannelly Fitness Complex parking lot and across a footbridge (no direct vehicle access). Twelve primitive campsites are available. Note: This campground is 24 miles from the Millrace Campground.
All sites are timbered and marked. Each site has a fire ring, lantern post, picnic table, access to the New River Trail and non-flush toilet. Drinking water is available. One site, CV001, is universally accessible and is reserved last if not required for a disabled camper.
Reservations are required. Same-day reservations are permitted. Campers must leave their confirmation letter on their car’s dashboard for overnight parking. Campers will need access to a fax machine or will need to pick up the letter at the Cliffview office if there is insufficient time to receive the letter by mail.
Running water at Cliffview Campground is shut off from November through March. Customers must bring water during that time.
Directions: Take State Route 58 to Galax. Go north on SR 887 to Cliffview Road (SR 721). Take SR 721 one-quarter of a mile and turn right onto Creekview Road. Go one mile to the Dannelly Complex. Cliffview Campground parking is on the right. Cross the footbridge into the campground.
Number of sites of each type: Primitive Tent, 12
Site types:
CV001-CV012: Site CV001 is universally accessible and is the last to be rented if not required by a disabled guest.
- Campground map (PDF)
Cool Breeze Campground
Cool Breeze Campground is a clean, organized and well-managed RV Park with long level / wide gravel sites. All sites have full hookups, 50/30/20 Amps Power, Water, Sewer & High Speed WiFi, and most sites are open to the sky for satellite or over the air TV Channels. There’s plenty of open grassy space to walk the dogs. Laundry room is super clean. It’s $2.50 each to wash and dry and it’s on the honor system so you deposit money into a box on the wall. Bathrooms and showers were also super clean.
Cool Breeze is just off The Blue Ridge Parkway and only 6 miles to Galax, Va. the Capital of Old Time & Bluegrass Music. You’ll enjoy the Mountain Heritage this area has to offer was well was the local wineries, music venues, restaurants & shops.
For more info click here.
Old Cranks Campground
We are located in the heart of Downtown Galax across from Felts Park. We offer 15 full service sites, primitive tent camping and a bathhouse. Our location is convenient to the New River Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Chestnut Creek School of the Arts and the Rex Theater. We are also close to a variety of festivals, shows and attractions in the Twin Counties Area.
During your stay be sure to visit Old Cranks Motorcar Museum and Ice Cream Shop located on the same property as our RV Park. You’ll see Vintage Automobiles, showcases full of Auto Memorabilia, Period Clothing, Antique Gas Pumps and much more.
Old Cranks RV Park & Campground
407 Railroad Avenue Galax, Virginia 24333
276-728-6798
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