Old Us 421 River Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Old US 421 River Park is a scenic park located in the state of North Carolina.


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Summary

The park offers visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of the area, including the New River and the surrounding forests. There are several good reasons to visit the park, including hiking, fishing, picnicking, and wildlife watching. Visitors can also explore the historic bridge that spans the New River.

One of the most interesting points of interest in the park is the bridge itself. Built in 1931, the bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a popular spot for visitors to take photos. The park also offers several hiking trails, including the River Trail and the Overlook Trail, which provide stunning views of the river and the surrounding mountains.

Visitors to Old US 421 River Park can also enjoy fishing in the New River, which is home to a variety of fish species, including smallmouth bass and rainbow trout. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, black bears, and bald eagles.

The best time of year to visit Old US 421 River Park is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is mild and the park is in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers visitors a chance to experience the changing seasons in the mountains.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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