“In every walk with nature one receives more than he seeks.” – John Muir
The New River Trail journeys alongside the river, meandering through shaded forests, verdant green hillsides, and quaint farmlands. Although best known as a scenic recreation destination for its enchanting natural charm, the New River Trail is far more than just a walk in the woods. The trail has a vibrant history and has undergone various transformations throughout the centuries.
Native American tribes and early settlers would follow the river in their struggle for survival and prosperity. One notable local from Draper, Mary Ingles, was captured in a raid by Shawnee Indians in 1755, then taken back to Ohio. In her heroic journey, she escaped from her captors and followed the New River to find her way back home. Later, when America became a quickly developing nation, a railroad system was put in place alongside the river to transport raw materials as well as travelers. In 1987 the Rails to Trails program converted the abandoned railroad tracks into a pristine recreation area.
Today, visitors to the trail can still experience the nostalgia of the old time trains. Twenty-eight former railroad trestles have been preserved as well as several historic train depots. In each of the two tunnels carved out of stone, one can hear the resounding echoes and imagine a time when trains thundered through them. The trail also passes by Shot Tower Historical State Park where ammunition was made for setters in the early 1800’s. Travelers along the trail can also explore unique geological features such as steep rocky cliff sides, unusual rock formations, and the one hundred foot deep Bertha Cave. An attentive eye may spot beaver dens tucked among the sycamore roots or patterns of grooves on the cone shaped stumps of trees felled by beavers. Watch the riverbank for great blue herons fishing for their next meal. White-tailed deer are commonly spotted crossing the trail, especially in the early morning quiet.
Perhaps equally astounding as the wildlife is the peacefulness that enshrines the trail. Visitors often find that their pace slows down as their eyes open up to natural wonders and their ears fill with the refreshing music of birdsong and rippling water. The New River Trail welcomes hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders to follow the river on a journey through history and into the wild.