Hanging Rock State Park was created in the 1930s as another fantastic Civilian Conservation Corps project. Since then, it has been an attraction of fun, offering an abundance of activities including picnic grounds, swimming in its well-stocked lake, canoe rentals, 73 campground sites, waterfalls, biking trails, and more than 20 miles of hiking trails, leading to panoramic views, streams, waterfalls, and other stunning and surprising glimpses of nature.
Hanging Rock State Park offers 9,011 acres of exploration in Stokes County, North Carolina. The extensive list of trails keeps you wandering to inspiring woodlands, water, and wildlife.
TrailDame/TripAdvisor
Here the photographer captured a common scene found at Hanging Rock, this doe and her sweet baby fawns.
bobistraveling, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons In addition, you will find the moist forests and streams are an ideal home to a variety of salamanders, lizards, and snakes. But don’t worry about the snakes, as they are usually harmless and seldom make an appearance.
To guide you along, the trails are uniquely marked with plastic symbols nailed to the trees.
TrailDame/TripAdvisor Some trails share the same path for awhile, indicated by the two different symbols.
The Hanging Rock Trail leads to Hanging Rock after a 1.3-mile hike. Depending on the hiker, it usually takes about an hour to make it to the top.
TrailDame/TripAdvisor Eventually steps help the trek upward.
And the big payoff — the most beautiful canyon in America. The peak sits at an elevation of 2,159 feet.
Jacalyn Engler from Greensboro, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons The surrounding trees are pinus pungens, also known as hickory or mountain pines.
It takes time to ingest the inspiration of this vast landscape.
bobistraveling, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons So don’t be in a hurry; take a deep breath, and plan on allowing this to replace some of the stress you leave behind.
In addition to the overhang, the park offers five spectacular waterfalls.
Justin P/AllTrails The Upper Cascades Trail takes you to these gorgeous falls. Here is the lower section.
This tiered waterfall is featured on the Indian Creek Trail, located about a half-mile from the Visitor Center parking lot.
Kylem322, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons The gurgling sounds and mist from these natural wonders are refreshing rewards along the trails.
And when you are hot and tired, put on your bathing suit and dip in the inviting swimming beach, a 12-acre lake, formed by the damming of Cascade Creek.
xwest2, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Feel the love and sometimes cool breezes from the surrounding hardwood forest creeping up to the shoreline.
Privacy is offered in this wood and stone and bathhouse, which includes dressing rooms and restrooms. If you’re hungry, find something to eat in the snack bar; sit in the offered lounge area, and enjoy the view of the lake and Moore’s Knob.
Ceh2624, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons No matter where you look, there is something wonderful to see at Hanging Rock State Park in North Carolina.
Another surprise at Hanging Rock State Park is Tory’s Den Cave, for the spelunkers out there. Discover the fascinating history of this Revolutionary War-era cave at the parking lot display. Tory’s Den Cave and Waterfall Trail also leads to the tallest waterfall in the park, Tory’s Falls, where the water drops 240 feet over a series of rock terraces. With so many exciting stops in one state park; what are you waiting for? See you there!
TrailDame/TripAdvisor
bobistraveling, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
In addition, you will find the moist forests and streams are an ideal home to a variety of salamanders, lizards, and snakes. But don’t worry about the snakes, as they are usually harmless and seldom make an appearance.
Some trails share the same path for awhile, indicated by the two different symbols.
Eventually steps help the trek upward.
Jacalyn Engler from Greensboro, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The surrounding trees are pinus pungens, also known as hickory or mountain pines.
So don’t be in a hurry; take a deep breath, and plan on allowing this to replace some of the stress you leave behind.
Justin P/AllTrails
The Upper Cascades Trail takes you to these gorgeous falls. Here is the lower section.
Kylem322, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The gurgling sounds and mist from these natural wonders are refreshing rewards along the trails.
xwest2, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Feel the love and sometimes cool breezes from the surrounding hardwood forest creeping up to the shoreline.
Ceh2624, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
No matter where you look, there is something wonderful to see at Hanging Rock State Park in North Carolina.
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Address: Hanging Rock State Park Visitor Center, Walnut Cove, NC 27052, USA
