Art And Events For The Creative Explorers
Stokes County has a cultural heritage rich in arts, music and antiques. Check out these music venues and shopping opportunities when you are in town.
The Danbury Songwriters summer concert series takes place every Thursday all summer long at the Arts Place of Stokes. If youre looking for shopping and a show, Priddys General Store hosts live music every February, May, and October.
The Stokes Stomp Festival offers food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, live music and a childrens area during the second full weekend in September.
Tips For Visiting Hanging Rock State Park
With so much to do, Hanging Rock can seem overwhelming. Theres usually plenty of parking. I was there on a recent Saturday and while it was busy, there was still parking available.
Hikers should be in good shape before tackling the majority of trails in the park. If you want to hike the Hanging Rock Trail to the overlook, come early so youre not hiking in the mid-day heat. Bring plenty of water because the hike up may take longer than you anticipate.
Camping At Hanging Rock State Park
Hanging Rock State Park has 73 family campsites spread over two loops. Each loop has its own bath house with showers and flush toilets. There is also a sink to wash dishes.
The sites are large with a tent pad, picnic table, and fire ring. While some campsites can accommodate an RV, there are no electrical hookups or dump stations. I sometimes see airstreams or small campers at the sites, but most campers use tents.
There are also five primitive group camping sites, each able to accommodate six to sixteen people. The group sites have picnic tables and a fire pit. Nearby is a pit toilet. The sites are close enough to the parking lot that you dont need to hike in your gear and there are water spigots to load up on drinking water. A trash can is available in the parking lot.
If tents arent your thing, you can rent one of the ten cabins at the family campground. Theyre temperature controlled and have bathrooms and a kitchen with dining space. Each cabin has two bedrooms each with two twin beds. Youll need to bring your own sheets and towels.
An added bonus is the screened porch which makes morning coffee or watching the stars in the evening a pleasant, bug-free event.
All campsites and cabins must be rented in advance.
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Always Read The Trail Signs
Hanging Rock is a bit odd where several trails are not loops and they connect with new trails oddly. For example, if you pick up Wolfs Rock Trail from the Hanging Rock Trail and keep walking straight, youll come to an intersection. Going straight transitions you onto Cooks Wall Trail. Making the right-hand turn will keep you on Wolfs Rock Trail.
Keep this in mind as youre hiking and pay attention to the blazes.
Also, both Magnolia Springs and Wolf Rock Trail take you to the bottom of the mountain where you can get to the Lake Access Parking, but only the turn at Wolf Rock Trail notes this. For some reason, the park seems to want to push you to go down Wolf Rock Trail. It does drop you off closer to the parking lot. But theyre both nice trails.
Best Trails In Hanging Rock State Park
Hanging Rock State Park provides a glimpse into a different side of North Carolina – impressive cliffs, massive rock formations, ample forests and pounding waterfalls give way to the piedmont plateau and views from the old ranger tower location atop Moore’s Knob that stretch for miles.Hanging Rock Park offers over 20 miles of hiking trails, 73 tent sites or vacation cabins for camping, a friendly park staff, 8.4 miles of mountain biking trails, and Dan River paddling and rock climbing opportunities. The park has lots of biodiversity and natural beauty come see the spring peepers, chorus frogs, and mountain laurel. Join an interpretive program, visit a cool mountain lake with recreation opportunities for swimmers and fishermen.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hanging Rock State Park
What is the best time of year to visit Hanging Rock State Park?
Fall is the best time to visit the park. In October, the leaves begin to change and create a breathtaking view from the top of the rock. Spring and summer offer great views of rolling green mountains and valleys.
What is the climate of Hanging Rock State Park?
The climate is warm and humid at Hanging Rock State Park. However, when you reach the top, the elevation change makes the climate much cooler and windier. Winter is very cold with below-freezing temperatures occasionally.
What kind of wildlife can be found in Hanging Rock State Park?
Hanging Rock State Park has bears, coyotes, deer, eagles, and various snakes. Bird-watchers will enjoy the many varieties of birds that are indigenous to the region as well as migratory birds.
Are there designated RV camping spots in Hanging Rock State Park?
There are some camping spots that can accommodate an RV in the park, but there are no hookups in the park. There are also many RV campgrounds nearby with options of lakefront sites or mountaintop sites.
Do you have to reserve a camping spot at Hanging Rock State Park and what is the cost?
Yes. You can go to the state park website to reserve a camping spot for Hanging Rock State Park, or you can make a reservation by phone. Camping spots are between $19 and $23 per night.
RVshare
Hanging Rock State Parks Long History
Long before Hanging Rock State Park became a park, the Saura Indians inhabited this stretch of land. the surrounding were named for these early inhabitants. The surrounding ancient Sauratown Mountainsnamed for the areas early inhabitantsare the remnants of a once-towering range of peaks that, over millions of years, formed the smaller knobs and rock formations that define this region of North Carolina.
In 1936, the Stokes County Committee donated 3,096 acres of land to form Hanging Rock State Park. Additional land was added to the park in later years, bringing the total acreage now to more than 7,000.
Park facilities including a dam, a stone bathhouse, parking area, picnic shelters and hiking trails were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. In 1991, the parks bathhouse joined the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, the park stands both as a testament to the past and place for modern visitors to get outdoors.
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Swimming At Hanging Rock State Park
The 21-acre lake is open for swimming in the summer. Families can enjoy sitting on the beach or cooling off in the water. The kids enjoy the diving platform where they can practice their cannonballs.
Next to the lake is a covered picnic area with restrooms and a snack bar. There are also picnic tables and grills just beyond the building.
You can check out the fees and hours here.
Camp In Comfort At Hanging Rock State Park
Image from The Dyrt Camper Angel G.
The campground at Hanging Rock State Park offers 73 primitive tent, trailer and group campsites. Each campsite has a grill, picnic table and tent pad that can accommodate up to two tents. Some of the campsites can accommodate trailers but there are no hookups on site.
The two-loop campground is family friendly and a great place for kids to ride their bikes. The campground is a short walk to the lake, where families swim all summer long and many hiking trails start.
Drinking water and bathhouses with hot showers are available nearby. The bathhouses are open mid-March through the end of November. Pit toilets are available at all other times.
There are also 10 rentable vacation cabins that can accommodate up to six people. In the summer the rentals are available by the week. Otherwise, cabins care available per-night with a two night minimum stay.
The campground at Hanging Rock State Park is open year-round.
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Take The Kids: Hanging Rock State Park
From winding roads and picturesque views to caves, waterfalls, campgrounds, and more. You have no choice but to become one with nature at this 9,011 acre state park.
DANBURY, N.C.Hanging Rock State Park
Our first family visit was around four years ago. We had a blast and returned the following year. My young daughters, like me, were absolutely fascinated. After standing in waterfalls, conversing about creatures and crevices, splashing in waterholes, and exploring various terrain… can you blame us?
The place is beautiful!
And now that temperatures are rising, we’re itching to get back outside. How about you? Spring is only a few weeks away.
This park is located in Danbury. The drive from our home is approximately 1.5 hours. From Raleigh it is just over a two hour drive. Long enough to take a nap. Short enough to survive “are we there yet” questioning.
Although we packed snacks and post-hiking sandwiches, I remember stopping at Bojangles on the way. Definitely not energizing food but hey… there was protein and we were hungry.
While on the trails, we usually eat granola, dried fruits, trail mix, and the like. These foods provide energy versus making us feel sluggish. Equally important is staying hydrated before, during, and after a hike.
I vividly recall our last trip to Hanging Rock. It was an especially hot summer day but we kept cool in the plentiful shade and waterfalls. While hiking back from one of the lower cascades, we stopped to rest on a row of large rocks.
Go Boating And Fishing
Anglers can cast their reel year-round into the Hanging Rock State Park lake. The lake holds a variety of bass, sunfish and catfishhowever, fishing requires a North Carolina fishing license for people age 16 and over. Fishing is allowed from the shore of the lake or via the water. Private boats are not allowed on the lake, but rowboats and canoes can be rented during the spring, summer and fall.
Fishermen can also find smallmouth bass and sunfish on the Dan River, running through the heart of the park. Fishing is accessible in the river by boat or wading.
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Hanging Rock State Park Overview
Hanging Rock State Park has 73 single-family campsites located on a forested ridge in the beautiful Sauratown Mountains. Campsites are suitable for tents, trailers and RVs. Theres also 10 cabins and 5 group sites available.
Campground amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers and laundry sinks. Firewood is also available for sale from the camp host. Rowboats and canoes are also available to rent .
Each campsite has picnic table, grill and tent pad. Drinking water and washhouses with laundry sinks and hot showers are nearby. Vault toilets are available during this time period. Recreational vehicle hookups and dump stations are not provided.
Group camping: Five campsites located near the entry gate offer a wilderness camping experience for organized groups at a modest fee. Each site has picnic tables and a fire circle. Pit toilets and water are located nearby.
Hanging Rock State Park Area Recreation
Outdoor recreation in the area includes hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, rock climbing picnicking and wildlife viewing.
Soak In The Best Views From The Seat Of Your Bike
Hanging Rock State Parks single-track mountain biking trails are impressive to say the least, sending bikers zooming past rock ledges, across stream crossings, and to stunning viewpoints of the Sauratown Mountains. The parks trails number 8.4 miles for intermediate riders, but as of 2018, advanced- and beginner-level trails are in development with plans for construction soon.
Hikers can also use the parks mountain biking trails, but bikers have right-of-way. All mountain biking trails begin at the parks farmhouse at 2700 Moores Springs Road, Westfield, NC, 27053.
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Go Further With Education And Events
Rangers at Hanging Rock State Park regularly hold educational and interpretive programs and an exhibit hall in the visitors center offers interactive exhibits. The park has also developed educational materials for grades 5-8 related to North Carolinas competency-based curriculum in science, social studies, mathematics and language arts. The program introduces kids to basic geologic concepts and is accompanied by a free teachers booklet and workshop.
Camping Near You Find A Free Campsite
Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we’ve got you covered. You can simply use your smart phone’s GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.
Our community provides the best free camping information available. Free campgrounds can be hard to find. Freecampsites.net makes it easy. We give you a simple, map based search engine to find free and cheap camping areas. Community reviews and ratings provide you with up to date information and help you select the best camp site for your next camping trip.
This is a platform for sharing campgrounds and camp sites you have discovered. We are community driven, and while we will be adding many free camping spots, we hope that you will add some of your favorite camping places as well. By sharing camping information freely, we can all spend less time researching campgrounds, spend less money, and more time camping. If everyone contributes a few campsites, we’ll all have more places to go camping.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
We are not actively seeking Wal-Marts, truckstops or other parking lots and will not be adding very many of these. There are enough Wal-Mart and truck stop directories out there already. However, if a member of the community finds one of these locations to be useful for overnight RV parking and creates an entry, we may approve the listing.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
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How To Get Tohanging Rock State Park
From Walnut Cove, NC: Take Hwy. 89 west to Danbury. Turn left at the hospital on Hanging Rock Park Road and head 1 ½ miles to the park.
From Winston-Salem, NC: Take Hwy. 8 north to Danbury. Turn left at the hospital on Hanging Rock Park Road and head 1 ½ miles to the park.
From King, NC: Take Hwy. 66 north to Moore Springs Rd. Turn right on Moore Springs, then right on Hanging Rock Park Road at the park entrance.
From Stuart, VA: Take Hwy. 8 south to Danbury. Turn right at the hospital on Hanging Rock Park Road and head 1 ½ miles to the park.
How To Avoid The Crowds
Arrive early and youll beat most of the crowds. If you head up to Hanging Rock around 9 or 10 am, you may have it to yourself. Youll likely pass a lot of people heading up as youre going down.
The waterfalls photograph better in the morning light. During sunset, the light is directly on top of them making it difficult to avoid the glare.
Most people head up Moores Knob via the steps. They go right at the loop intersection. If you go left and head up the back of the mountain, its a lovely hike and youll encounter fewer people.
Try the Chestnut Oak Nature Trail by the Lake. Its not too difficult and there never seems to be anyone on it.
For an easy hike, the Lake Loop is rarely used and offers nice views of the lake.
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Take A Dip In The Lake At Hanging Rock State Park
Swimming is available in the park lake during the summer months. The 12-acre lake has a sandy beach area and a grassy area nearby if you want to avoid the sand. All swimmers must pay a fee for beach access. For those looking to be be even more active in the water, paddle-boat and canoe rentals are also available in the summer months from the park.
Inside Hanging Rock State Park
There are lots of things to do at Hanging Rock State Park. From water fun to other outdoor activities, here are some of the things you can do inside the park:
Hiking: A network of more than 18 miles of trails crisscrosses the park, leading to mountain views, outcroppings, waterfalls, even a cave.
Biking: There are several single track mountain biking trails with rock ledges, fast flow, stream crossings, and beautiful views of the Sauratown Mountains. There are four trails, with almost 8 ½ miles of intermediate riding.
Fishing: You can fish on the lake year-round, and may catch bass, sunfish, and catfish. You can fish from the shore, the wheelchair accessible pier, or from a rental boat .
Climbing: Rock climbing is allowed in the park with a permit. Cooks Wall and Moores Wall, cliffs up to 400 feet high and almost two miles across provide great climbing for beginning and experienced climbers.
Swimming: Swimming is allowed in the 12-acre lake, tucked into the hills and formed by the damming of Cascade Creek. A stone and timber bathhouse includes restrooms, dressing rooms, a snack bar, and a lounge area with a view of the lake.
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Rv Resorts & Campsites In Hanging Rock State Park
Hanging Rock State Park has 73 RV campsites with picnic tables and grills. The campsites do not have any hookups or a dump station. If you choose to rent an RV, consider renting with RVshare. Every rental comes with nationwide insurance coverage, 24/7 roadside assistance, and a dedicated team that will work to make sure you have the perfect RV for your needs and your travel plans.
There are other campgrounds nearby you can try as well:
Activities For The Adventurer On The Move
Besides the outdoor adventures available in Hanging Rock State Park, campers should venture outside of the parks borders to find even more outdoorsy fun.
There are a number of horse stables in the area offering horseback riding opportunities to visitors, including Cardinal Stables, Bregmans Stables, Tokota Stables, Sauratown Stables and Double T Farms.
Tubing the Dan River is a fun and affordable way to cool off on a hot summer day. Bring your own tubes or hire an outfitter to provide your group with tubes and transportation. Local outfitters include the General Dan Tubing Company, Hillside Dan River Tubing and the Dan River Company.
Adrenaline junkies will have a great time at the Carolina Ziplines, which provides high flying adventures 50 feet above the forest floor.
Racing enthusiasts should check out the 311 Speedway, known as the Daytona of Dirt, which hosts special car racing events year-round.
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