Hanging Rock State Park Photos
More like Hanging Rock State Park
Recommended Reviews - Hanging Rock State Park
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Aesthetic: Scenic state park known for its rock climbing, hiking trails, and waterfalls. My Favorites: Lower Cascade Falls. Experience: I've been looking for a beautiful park like this since we moved from Oregon, and it was truly magical. The Lower Cascade Falls hike was amazing at the end, I could hang out and swim in that waterfall all day! I can't wait until it warms up to enjoy it more. We also checked out the little cave, and that was an easy hike and interesting area to explore. I'm excited to come back and spend more time one day.
Hanging rock is a beautiful state park not too far from Winston Salem. My husband and I decided to visit the lake for the day. The lake is open for swimming during the summer. It is quite reasonable at six dollars for adults. They have a bath house to shower and change as well as a snack bar if you need refreshments. We brought a picnic lunch and really had a nice time at the lake. It is very clean and cool. They also have lifeguards.
Excellent hiking spot! We hiked about 4 miles total to get up to the top. It was a little longer than we expected - they had changed the trail route - so maybe that's why? Such a nice view from the top! I think if we had been there just a week or two earlier we would have had the peak fall colors, but we still had a pretty view. We spent a little bit of time at the top and then also hung out at the lodge area after our hike, where they had some nice wooden rocking chairs overlooking the lake (bathrooms were also in this spot).
I love being outside and hiking. We decided to drive up here and hike. They have several paths and waterfalls to explore. We came a week after the snow and it was still icy in some areas. It was so cold that the water falls were frozen The hike isn't long but it's slightly difficult due to the inclines. Once you make it to the top and see the view you realize it was all worth it! There are bathrooms and a store filled with goodies. We purchased magnets to add to our fridge!
My wife and I wanted to get out and enjoy our one year anniversary, so decided to go for a hike at Hanging Rock state park. Just a short drive from the Greensboro area, and you can have a nice selection of hiking trails, of varying difficulties and lengths. We took the main trail and hiked to the top which has recently been rerouted to provide a more simplified difficulty level to all hikers. In the past this trail had some really large steps which the park ranger said caused a lot of tripping, but they changed it to avoid falls and injuries. The new path from the parking lot is about 1.8 miles each way. And once you get up there, you can enjoy the fresh air, and the endless views. Once we got back to the car we went for another short hike to one of the multiple waterfalls. If you enjoy the outdoors, Hanging Rock is a great place, event offering camp sites for rent, a lake for swimming on the hot summer days, and lots of beauty to explore.
Hanging Rock State Park is a short drive from King, NC, and the area where our grandparents live. The Hanging Rock trail is 1.3 miles and considered moderate difficulty. I felt like the hike to the very top was a little more than "moderately" difficult, especially with the rocks. It was a Saturday, so the crowd at the park included lots of families and kids. Those kids who hiked all the way up were troopers, especially on a cold day. The park was very clean and well kept. I'd love to visit again during the Fall when the leaves change color and the scenery is more beautiful.
Hanging Rock has been voted the state's best park before by various sources, and it can be easy to see why. There's hikes for newbies, more seasoned, and veteran hikers. Honestly, I grew up going here almost every weekend in high school and several years beyond. The trails are well marked, can be mixed and matched for a different experience, and have a variety of sites to see. There's an old CCC foundation near the entrance, a large campground, beautiful lake, and remodeled visitor center with exhibit and history. The Hanging Rock trail is only two miles round trip and paved, but it's a climb! My favorite, Moore's Wall, is a beast of a haul following a rocky path up the mountain, but the view from the tower is awesome. The waterfalls are beautiful, and there are several. If you get out early enough, an ice cream store may await you at the bottom of the mountain......
Really beautiful natural park. I happened across here a few years back visiting a friend in Winston-Salem and we headed up here for some nature time. It was a cold day so we didn't last too long, but a stunning area with many trails, and many options on how to spend your day. In North Carolina, but close to the Virginia border, so a good spot for many to check out.
Drove out here after picking up a set of tables and chairs for our friend Digger from a Facebook Marketplace listing. Winding roads, farms, fields and forest, it was a beautiful ride out. We stopped to prepare for our hike & met a JW Brother at the park entrance gift shop. Then we hit the trail...only sorta prepared. Mike carried a CVS bag with a store bought water & a park map. It was plenty for a simple out & back 1.8mi each way. The weather was sunny & cool. The trail was easy, well marked and we met maybe a dozen sets of hikers. Super glad we chose today to hike Hanging Rock because the sky was clear and sunny. We could see for miles and miles! Spectacular! Also watched a half dozen large birds play in the wind below us. Definitely recommend.
We hiked the park's iconic namesake trail, Hanging Rock Trail. It was quite short, so it took us about an hour and a half to hike up and back down, including a lunch break at the overlook. The trail was a steep ascent. The overlook had pretty panoramic views. Admission to the park is free. The visitor center has a nice museum exhibit area, friendly staff, free maps, and restrooms. The gift shop was quite empty.
Beautiful hikes with waterfall views and more. Less than an hours drive from Greensboro. Very clean and informative visitors center. Plenty of parking. Filtered water fountains to fill your water bottle. Bring your furry friend. All dogs must be on a leash. Definitely wear hiking boots. This time of year lots of Leaves are on the ground and can be slippery. Take your time and enjoy the scenery.
One of my favorite hiking spots near Winston Salem. The hike up hanging rock is 60 min or less (we did it in under 40 min). Beautiful views from the top. Definitely some rocks/inclines, but you can do it! Would say it's a shorter moderate ranked hike with families, friends, pups, and even some ladies bold enough to hike in dresses :') read more
We have visited Hanging Rock State Park twice. The first time, we walked the Hanging Rock Trail which is the most heavily trafficked trail and the main attraction of the park. Most recently, we hiked the Wolf Rock Trail. The Wolf Rock Trail had very light traffic. We only passed a handful of other people, unlike on the Hanging Rock Trail where we were constantly surrounded by people. The Wolf Rock Trail was enjoyable because it felt closer to nature, we could enjoy it at our own pace and we didn't have to worry about being close to other groups (in the context of COVID). The trail was a little under 2 miles one way. It was moderate difficulty - a few steep areas, lots of rocks and roots in the path. It may be difficult for small kids. The views from Wolf Rock were spectacular. We also did the short hike (0.4 mi roundtrip) to the Upper Cascades Fall. It is a small but beautiful waterfall. What we enjoyed most is that there are stairs to go down to the base of the waterfall and walk on the surrounding rocks. read more
7 years ago
6 years ago
We love this place and have come several times! There are so many different trails of all different skill sets and all of them have beautiful views from mountains to waterfalls. Highly recommend! read more
4 years ago
It was, in fact, my first time walking the trails of Hanging Rock. I started off tired, but got the hang of it. I had fun climbing the rocks, going over obstacles and jumping. As I made it to the top, everything down below looked like toys. The view was astonishing. Since I'm bird fanatic, I enjoyed watching the Turkey and Black Vultures flying around. I wasn't as tired when I went back down. Overall, it was a fun, worthy experience. I hope to come back and do it again! read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
We had such a blast the first time we went, we decided to go back the next week and camp with friends! The waterfalls are absolutely breathtaking, but make sure you wear comfy shoes cause it's a good amount of walking. read more
My daughter and I spent a sunny day at Hanging Rock (11-10-18). Since we have not had many sunny days this summer/fall, we wanted to take full advantage! We LOVE all the dogs that visit the parks! It is always nice that almost all dog owners make sure the dogs to their business off the trails so it keeps the place clean and the trails smelling like forest! We do the Wolf Rock trail starting at the main Visitors Center trail and looping around past the lake and back to the parking lot. It is a nice trail! Since most people do Hanging Rock, it is not as busy! If you are a budding photographer/videographer, you will love this place! There are endless places to practice and capture breathtaking moments! Remember to bring WATER and a snack or two. The trails can get long! Even though there are plenty of trees, you will get warm and you will need to hydrate! Also, remember that the trails are marked for distance for one-way. So plan your trip accordingly! This is a perfect place to bring a date, a family, a group of friends, or come by yourself to connect with nature! The energy that surrounds you at Hanging Rock is pure and inviting! Spend some time soaking it in! MOST SINCERELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more
6 years ago
My first hike in the triad It was foggy lol Been great since then Hiked up and back a few Local recommendation Seen a proposal here as well read more
4 years ago
This place was absolutely amazing to visit and to hike as well. Me and my significant other and our dog walked the trail down to the lake from the main entrance back all the way up to the actual main attraction, the Hanging Rock Cliff!!! The views was amazing, will say they do have some moderate to hard trails so be well dressed for the occasion. When we arrived there was a lot of people there, which is fine but if you would like more secluded trails then this place isn't for you. I would say some parts are kid friendly but for most part I feel kids should only be allowed to certain areas. The fact that parents let there kids freely run down from the rock cliff is kind of unnerving to me personally. Regardless this place is wonderful to take the family and friends for a nice afternoon out!!! read more
7 years ago
So much fun !! Over 14 trails ! We hiked 6.7 miles today ! It was very crowded on some Of the trails . But overall very cool I think that Lower falls was the best we went a little off the trail down the waterfall and it was amazing , lots of rocks to climb and lots of waterfalls , beautiful place to get away to , it's not a bad drive if your coming from Jacksonville NC . Just a 3.5-4 hour drive ! Winston-Salem is a near by forty you can stay. Lots of places to eat and stay the night . read more
6 years ago
Hanging rock is a popular place in NC when you don't need to drive 3 hours to Asheville to hike. We did the classical hanging rock trial. It was a moderate hike with a lot of hiking going up the mountain. Came here during phase 2 covid-19, but a lot of people had masks on, and definitely didn't do the 6ft distance . The view was okay, but with a lot of greens. read more
8 years ago
This is a pretty nice state park with good views. I've been here twice now and it can get pretty crowded on nice days. There is a visitors center with restrooms which is a good place to stop before you get started. The rangers can give you more information about hikes and help you decide which is best for you. Both times I've come, I've done the Hanging Rock Trail which starts from the visitors center parking lot. It's not a very long hike -- 1.3 miles each way. The beginning is a little steep, the middle flattens out a bit, and then the end has quite a few steps. I would say it's moderately challenging. You can see the summit you are going to climb to at the beginning of the hike. With our stop at the top, it took us about an hour and twenty minutes. The view from the top is really pretty. There are a lot of rocks to climb out onto to get a good view, but there are several different viewpoints. I wouldn't compare the view to what you'll see over in the mountains, but for the Piedmont area, it's really pretty. I'd like to come back sometime and do some of the waterfall hikes. From pictures they look like pretty falls. While you're in the area, Pilot Mountain State Park is only a half an hour drive away and is a pretty unique mountain. If you're looking for something in the Piedmont area that's a little different than your Blue Ridge Mountain views, this is a good place to come. read more
5 years ago
Sweet trip! Took my dog out to the park to let her roam and get some energy out. We only hiked 4 miles this time but that's okay! I got worried when I saw the bathrooms were closed but don't fear! They have plenty of port-a-potties! The park is very clean over all and it seems like everyone picks up after their pets. The December winds weren't too kind but I'm sure you'll enjoy the hike regardless of the weather. I look forward to returning when the weather gets warmer! read more
I've been here twice, and enjoyed it both times! If you go on all the trails, this is easily a full day event. I'd recommend starting out with the Hanging Rock and other more difficult hikes, and then winding down with relaxing hikes to the waterfalls and lake. There are great picnic benches scattered throughout. Note that there are not any guardrails on the tall rocks, so be wary of bringing kids onto them, especially when the rocks are crowded with people taking pictures. Also, one of the waterfalls has a hidden waterfall behind it -- you can either walk around the waterfall or climb the rock to the hole to get there. The park is dog friendly. Easy and free parking without any entry charges to enjoy the beautiful trail. Personally, I'd recommend dropping a few dollars into the donation box as you're finishing up the hike and headed to the visitor center for that final bathroom break before driving home. :) read more
3 years ago
7 years ago
What a treat to live so close to hanging rock state park! It's a quick easy drive from Winston with so much to do and see. There's the long strenuous hike to the very top for those looking for an athletic challenge and there's also easier walking trails with waterfalls. There's a picnic area near the swimming area for families to enjoy. We really like this area and plan to go more often as our son gets older and more stable on his feet. read more
7 years ago
We weren't sure where to camp when my husband decided to go camping on a whim. Hanging Rock State Park has it all for our little adventurous family trip-waterfalls, hiking, dogs allowed. Dotty has been AMAZING, she even greeted us two days later by our names. She was super helpful and wrote down all the camp sites that were available when we had to move from our site 56(right across from in if the bathrooms!). It was our fault for not having reserved online the day before, but we worked it out and just looked for another site. Bathrooms are fairly clean for a campgrounds and they also have running hot water! Just make sure to reserve your site the day before you come and do it online! We hiked down to Window Falls and Hidden Falls. It was a nice trek down! Lower Cascades were beautiful and refreshing. Overall, highly recommend! It's dog friendly and family friendly. Good place to eat nearby are Dan River Family Restaurant and Dan River Grill. read more
7 years ago
Shortly after passing the life threatening sign on hanging rock trail, a huge thunderstorm rolled in so I decided to turn back. Lone woman hiking without any others in sight, on an unfamiliar trail, marked dangerous, at twilight, in heavy rain and lightning....time to make a big girl, grown up decision and head back home. Sad day. I know it was going to be good too, dang it. Next time. Did see a deer on my very short hike! I went during the week, early evening, on stormy day, so needless to say...not crowded. If you are standing in front of the visitors center with the building to your back, the trailhead is all the way across the parking lot- well marked and easy to find. read more
7 years ago
Well the trail I went to hanging rick FOR was closed for renovations until 4pm that day and whine I was waiting... I had some car issues, preventing me from actually getting out to that famous rock that day. But I did get a mini "hike" in to one of the falls and really enjoyed my tiny trek! I grew up in NC and just recently moved back from Austin, TX, a place with amazing hiking at every turn WITHIN my city, so I guess I'm pretty spoiled by that, but the hour drive from Greensboro was easy and beautiful and I'm looking forward to doing it again in a week or 2 as I make my second attempt to get a great shot of hanging ro read more
12 years ago
Came here for daytime hiking (no camping) and was met with absolutely STUNNING views! Free to park, free to hike, free to take as many photos as you'd like. Checked out 2 waterfall areas, one was more impressive than the other and even has a cool hole in the rocky mountain - perfect photo op. The waterfalls aren't the most grand, but they're still great to snap some shots. Some of the viewing areas require some courage because of the height and lack of physical barriers, but if you can manage it, the breathtaking views are worth it, especially during the season when the leaves are changing colors. Gorgeous. The hike itself is not bad. I'd recommend shoes with grip, but you don't need intense hiking boots. Paths are clearly delineated. A good number of people visit this place, but it's too spread out to be crowded, meaning more space for you to enjoy the place! Very scenic, very serene, very awesome to check out. read more
8 years ago
This is a great place to hike, camp or spend the day at the lake. There is a fee but it's worth it. Like being at the beach! Sand and clear water this close to home is worth the trip. Concessions on hand or bring your own. Grills also available for BBQ's. read more
5 years ago
7 years ago
One of my favorite place to go visit. The hike is always worth it once you reach the top of the mountain. The view is amazing and breathtaking. I normally take my time to sit under the tree to relax and enjoy the fresh air and amazing view. I also enjoy sitting in the edge of the mountain to take a closer look of the nature. read more
6 years ago
Wow, was this a good hike! I think when I looked it up it said it was a moderate hike but let me tell you it is not for the faint of heart. You climb up a huge mountain, but for some breathtaking views!! Took us about 30 mins there and then we stayed up at the top for about 10 minutes until it started to ra read more
This was quite the hike but well worth it. There's many trials and different areas of the park but I just wanted to see hanging rock so I did not get to explore the whole entire state park. However, you can easily spend a whole day here. There's also a beach and dock for fishing. read more
This was one of the most beautiful hikes I've been on. It was easy and fun, and there were many trails to explore. Another perk about going to Hanging Rock is how easily accessible it is. The ride here is also splendid with many fun little towns to stop at along the way. The people in the visitor center were extremely helpful and gladly gave me a map to use. There are also many picnic tables to sit at to eat lunch, just make sure to throw your trash away. I was also lucky enough to bring my sweet dog. She enjoyed the trip and loved meeting new people. If you're in the area, I definitely recommend coming to Hanging Rock for an adventure. read more
Not far away from home where we live in Winston-Salem, is Hanging Rock. I'm from NY and had never hiked before, unfortunately. So when we moved here, it was a new hobby I wanted to take up and we started with Hanging Rock. The first time I went knocked the air out of me, but after a while, it became a lot easier to get to the top. I wouldn't consider it a difficult climb, but generally a good work out. Making it to the top is satisfying every time and the views are just wonderful. You can even enjoy some waterfalls along the way here. I continue to come back and bring family and friends to hike when they're visiting us from out of state and want to experience a nice hike. This place will always have a special place in my heart because it kick-started my newfound love for hiking and new home state. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
6 years ago
Absolutely love this park.....go enjoy it for yourself. It's just right for a middle of the road hiker who wants big time views. read more
7 years ago
Lovely get away with the most epic views so far in NC! We hiked the hanging rock trail and Moore's knob trail! Both were terrific for us! Nice visible markers which makes for easy pace. Easy to navigate! Love love love! read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
Hike up is a little strenuous but the view is well worth it. Average person can hike up in 40 minutes. I have asthma and it took me 1 1/2 hrs up and 45 minutes down. Met wonderful people along the way and one man who had been hiking this trail for 50 yrs. It's a must do!! read more
I have heard good things about Hanging Rock and the pictures online look very cool. After waiting the winter out, I finally had a chance to visit on a Saturday towards the end of March. The weather was amazing at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, since Spring had just arrived most of the trees were still bare and had not bloomed. The view and hiking were still great but I imagine it would have been a luscious green wonderland if we had waited a bit longer. Although, by then the trade off may have been a hot/humid day. This is a very popular park and many others had the same idea of going for a hike; it was packed the day I went. From the pictures, I thought it was a bit more secluded but the more attractive sights such as Hanging Rock and the waterfalls are very close to the parking lot (approximately a 15 - 45 min one way hike depending on your destination). The short distance is great since it allows you to see multiple sights but it gets a bit overcrowded at certain points. Within five hours we were able to hike to the Upper Cascades Falls, Hanging Rock, Wolf Rock, Window Falls, and Hidden Falls. Wolf Rock ended up being a great addition as it was more of a peaceful and quite trail. The waterfalls are smaller than I expected but they are very close to the parking lot so worth the visit. From Raleigh, Hanging Rock State Park was a about a two hour drive. It is worth it for the scenery and variety. In addition, the park offers so much more: camping, swimming, boating and fishing, climbing, and mountain biking. I would recommend to try to go during the week instead of the weekend to avoid the crowds. With so much more to see, I'll be back soon! read more
The gorgeous views and the short 2 hour drive from the RDU area make Hanging Rock State Park a great location for a day trip. Once we arrived at the park, we stopped in the visitor's center for a map of the trails and decided our game plan. We decided to start our morning on the 1.3 mile Hanging Rock Trail. The trail is only 1.3 miles one-way, but keep in mind that it will take much longer than a walk on flat ground due to all the steps and the uphill climb. This trail could be difficult for small children, as some of the steps might be on the high-side for little legs. But the views at the top of the trail are amazing! Definitely worth a visit and I bet it will be even better in a few weeks once the weather starts to cool and the leaves start to change color. For those looking for a less difficult trail, the Falls trail may be better suited for you and for little legs too. And what kid doesn't love playing in waterfalls? You start this hike by going mostly downhill, so keep in mind the hard part comes on your way back. Also, at the start of this trail there are plenty of picnic tables and grills if you need a place to cook and eat. Overall, the trails are maintained really well and this is a great day trip destination if you are feeling adventurous and want to do something active. read more
More info about Hanging Rock State Park
1005 Visitor Center Dr
Westfield, NC 27053
Directions
(336) 593-8480
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/haro/main.php
Hours
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
