– Kathleen Armstrong, NRC Director of Trail Planning and Community Engagement
March 3, 2026
The New River flows South to North. Just one of the many distinctive aspects of
America’s oldest river. As the river flows, so we go! New River Conservancy traveled to Charleston, West Virginia (WV) for the inaugural West Virginia Outdoor Recreation Economy Summit.
The summit was alive with folks from across the Mountaineer State and the greater
Appalachian region- coming together to share stories of success and challenges,
whether on the trail or in a board room. Amidst all the excitement and many outstanding projects, the future New River Water Trail (NRWT) was a topic of much conversation.
The New River Water Trail is a celebration of America’s oldest river- of a river that is entirely Appalachian. The trail is a way to connect the unique riverine communities that call the watershed home. It was evident during our time in WV that the Water Trail has the ability to help incubate a diversified outdoor recreation economy even in the most
rural areas of the watershed.
By supporting trail development communities will find tangible benefits like improved access, a safer trail experience through consistency and signage, and the ability to plan long distance or multi-day trips with ease. As with many trail systems, however, the intangible benefits are held within the relationships between users, between humans and beyond human species, which are the aspects that build regeneration through stewardship and take a trail from concept to reality.
Engage with NRWT development by visiting HERE
Photo: Gayle Manchin, Federal Co-Chair Appalachian Regional Commission
highlighted the New River Water Trail in her keynote address at the WV Outdoor
Recreation Economy Summit
February 3, 2026
Hope everyone is staying warm, it’s been a cold January on the Trail! We’ve been revving our engines over at NRC preparing for a jam-packed spring. The New River Water Trail (NRWT) team has spent the last 4 months collecting field data to perform a river-wide gap analysis. The team is looking to identify gaps in trail amenities, access points and locate impediments along the trail.
Our data collection partners include High County Council of Governments (NC), Mount Rogers Planning District Commission (VA), New River Valley Regional Commission (VA), Region 1 Development District Commission (WV), and Region 4 Development District Commission (WV). The scale and scope of the data collection would not be possible without these folks, the NRC team and our state partners.
The NRWT is also seeking community feedback through our Online Community Survey. The survey is geared toward recreational users or folks that access the New River for sport or fun, however, the survey is open to all across the watershed. The results of the survey will help guide the planning process and aid in the gap analysis. Participants give feedback on preferences for trail amenities, identify frequently used access points and share their experiences on the New River. We encourage you to participate!
January 6, 2026
As we embark on another orbit together, we look back at the accomplishments and
challenges of the past year. 2025 brought about growth, struggle, joy and everything in between. In 2025, the New River Conservancy expanded its scope as a conservation organization by activating communities across the watershed to formalize planning efforts for a comprehensive New River Water Trail.
Partners from all corners of the watershed are joining forces to cultivate an ambitious 360-mile New River Water Trail (NRWT) that will span North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. The multi-year planning process for the NRWT seeks to connect Appalachian communities, strengthen rural economies, and promote stewardship through trail development.
In 2026, we would like to engage with you even more. NRC has launched a New River Water Trail webpage, where you can find more information about the plan, engagement opportunities like trail related events and surveys, and existing trail segments.
Please visit WATER TRAIL