hanging rock state park

This is a wonderful park that has lots of trails, beautiful waterfalls and great scenery! If you're a novice hiker or an accomplished one...there is a trail for you! Being here on a sunny spring day, appreciating nature is just heavenly!

Hanging Rock has a little something for everyone. In the summer the lake is terrific for a cool down after a morning hiking the trails. The view from the top of Hanging Rock is exceptional. The photographic opportunities that present themselves are endless-really. The diverse flora and fauna will keep you exploring time and again for that perfect photo. Before you hit the trail up get your bearings at the info area. There are bathroom facilities there, be sure you fuel up and bring sufficient water for your planned hike. The trail to the top gets a bit more challenging the closer you get to the top. The first leg of the trail is wheelchair friendly, paved but steep. The next leg is a meandering section though hardwoods and scrubby blueberry bushes. The last leg is a challenge as it winds up and around the rocks. The angle increases with less of a path laid out before you from here to the top. Take your time and enjoy the rest stops to see what's around you, you don't want to rush through this hike.

Went to hike and look at the waterfalls. Many hiking trails with different difficulty. Nice visitor center with small wildlife display and restrooms. The only thing that could be improved is they need more signage in the parking lot pointing to the trail heads. (I'm directionally challenged). Will go again. You could spend several days here if you want to do all the trails.

We had a wonderful two-day mini vacation to the park. Rented cabin #9, which is really quite nice. Maybe "rustic" means no TV or wifi! The cabin was very warm and comfortable. There were plenty of dishes and utensils for cooking but we did not remember salt and pepper. Also tissues for sniffly noses. We found the extra supplies at Priddy's general store in Danbury. The stars at night were spectacular and reminded me of nights growing up, many years ago. We really enjoyed the trails and the great rocky outcrops at the top of each ridge.

We had heard many good things about this attraction, so we decided to check it out for ourselves. First of all, the park is amazingly beautiful. It is a State Park, so please visit their website to read their rules and regulations. Bring your swimming gear, fishing gear and canoe to take advantage of the crystal clear lake. Near the lake is a hewn wood lodge where you can purchase and enjoy a simple lunch, and near the lodge is a spacious outdoor picnic area. Also, bring your hiking gear and go for a healthy walk through scenic walk paths. Camp sites are located in the park, but first call and check with the park for site types and availability. If you want to see something really spectacular, take the 1.3 mile trek up the mountain path to the top of the mountain, where you will find yourself standing on great slabs of rock, receiving a breathtaking view of the beauty that this location in North Carolina has to offer. There are many benches to sit and rest on along this path, just don't forget to bring comfortable hiking boots or shoes and plenty of water with you before taking the walk. We will most definitely be going here the next time we visit North Carolina, and we highly recommend that you and your family also experience this place for yourselves.

We had a wonderful time climbing up to top of Hanging Rock. We definitely found it challenging, but there quite a few kids and dogs who also managed to get to the top just fine. The views were absolutely amazing, and very much worth the 2 hour drive from Durham.

Great fall day for hiking--decided to try Hanging Rock State Park in NC for the first time. A beautiful big park, just 2 hours from the Triangle if you are local. Lots of choices for easy for harder hikes. My wife and I did the Moore's Wall Loop trail--about 4.5 miles (5 from the visitors center) in 2.5 hours. It is a great workout with a wonderful look out at the top. The park itself has camping, summer time lake swimming. The visitors center and parking area were very crowded, but once we cleared the pack and headed out on the trail we found it very peaceful. We will surely be back for more hiking!

Easy to get to, moderate hiking trails, waterfalls, scenic overlooks, well maintained campgrounds...what more would you need. I've visited many state parks in NC and I will say Hanging Rock State Park is right up there with the best of them. Staff was available and helpful for information. The hike up to the summit is moderate, but very well kept. Take your family for a day trip. You'll be happy you went.

Had always heard about Hanging Rock but had never been. So glad we made the trip. I will suggest that you take a walking stick to help you along the way. As a matter of fact they have sticks available at the visitor center for a donation. We found out that a man on his 80's makes these walking sticks and donates them to the park... and for a donation of at least $10 you can choose from about 20 different sticks.Also pack a lunch and water... it is a must to eat your lunch on top of Hanging Rock. The view is spectacular! I must warn that this is a pretty strenuous hike... we walk 2.5 miles everyday but this is different from walking on the street...even though it is 1.3 miles to the top you will have some steep inclines and lots of steps... I think the ranger said that it was 330 steps to the top once you reach that point.There are also several waterfalls to can hike to... But I must say that the view at the top of Hanging Rock is certainly worth the hike.Nice restrooms at the visitor center. The Park Rangers are wonderful, knowledgable and very helpful!

Took our family on the hikes to the waterfalls on a beautiful fall afternoon. We were able to see all 3, and our 2 yr old did not need to be carried so the hiking was easy. Will definitely be back for some of the longer hikes!

We spent 4 nights in one of the rustic cabins the week of October 10th and we had a great time. The Rangers and the Visitor Center staff were welcoming, helpful and made sure we had everything we needed. The cabins fill up quickly for weekends but you might enjoy going mid week more because there are fewer folks on the trails and it is super quiet. The trails are rated as to difficulty but I would advise talking to the Rangers and Visitor Center Staff to be sure the rating fits your level of ability. Example: The Hanging Rock Trail is listed as moderate but the staff agreed that for us it would not be difficult but it was more than a moderate hike for us. We plan to go again in the next few months.

After visiting many great hikes in Asheville, NC, this State Park offered more of a challenging hike. It starts off paved and downhill. Throughout the hike it varied with inclines, declines and level ground plus lots of benches. So there is time to catch your breath. What I really liked most is once you reach the summit after many switch backs, you arrive at natural ROCKS. No Man made plato with a fenced in guard rail, but large rocks to further explore on. I was solo and there weren't many people out hiking when I went so it wasn't crowded. The mir fact that I had lots of solitude was great. This is a great place to come to get some exercise, connect with nature and to just clear your mind. It took me about :45 to get to the top and :20 to get down. I let the gravity help me down. ENJOY!

with seven waterfalls to 360 degree vistas a river and lake this is a phenomenal place less than an hour from winston-salem Greensboro and High Point you can even visit the green heron Club which is just down the road Riverside

We have done two of the trails to the waterfalls before and they are unbelievable but we had not gone to the top of hanging rock. It was a perfect day. Though very hot there was a nice breeze blowing. The trail is steep. You start the trail by going down only to climb up forever and ever and ever. And when you get to this nice rocky place and think you survived the long steep climb to enjoy this beautiful view only to find out the big jutting rock formation overhead is actually the top. No problem, find a shady rock, have some water (take plenty) and rest while enjoying the view at this false top then when ready head on. The rest of the climb is actually easier, maybe because its shorter or maybe because when you get to the top the breathtaking views make you forget. I can't put into words how beautiful it was. And as you move around the top you encounter many spectacular views. We were fortunate to have a clear day and could see mountain ranges all around. This trail was dog friendly and there were many there, so cute and full of stamina. They all seemed to enjoy it as much as I did. I recommend camping or staying overnight (the state park campground was full so we stayed at Jessup Mill) so you can enjoy all the trails and/or close by Pilot Mountain.

If you like to hike it"s here and lots of it ,from short to long trails ,easy to strenuous trails.If you like to people watch it"s hereIf you like nature it"s here and lots of itIf you like to picnic it"s here on both of ends of the parkIf you like to fish you can at the water dam side of the lakeIf you like to swim you can at the decent size lakeIf you like to camp you can numerous campsitesYou can also rent cabins for the night are the week at reasonable pricesDid I mention everything I think so