Stokes County > Visiting Stokes County > Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock is home to 6,000 acres of exquisite scenic views including a mountain lake, sheer cliffs and thick forests which are home to over 300 species of mountain flora. And as you can see, there really is a Hanging Rock along with Cook’s Wall and the highest elevation in the park, Moore’s Knob (elevation 2,572).

While in the park you can enjoy a variety of activities including boating, horseback riding, camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking and rock climbing. Swimming is popular in the man-made 2-acre lake or in a number of clear, sparkling mountain streams, waterfalls and cascades.

Exploring The Possibilities

So where do you start your exploration?

Hanging Rock State Park is located four miles northwest of Danbury and can be reached by NC Highways 89 and 66. In recent years the park has attracted well over 400,000 visitors annually.

A day trip to the park includes hiking on any of the 12 designated trails, each of which offers spectacular views of waterfalls, rippling creeks, the rolling Piedmont, and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

Camping is popular and Hanging Rock State Park offers an array of options - camping in one of the 73 family campground sites conveniently located near two bathhouses, six family cabins available by advance reservation, and eight primitive overnight group campsites. Three picnic shelters are available by reservation.

If you want to learn about the park’s history, which dates back to 1935, stop by the Hanging Rock Visitor’s Center during the summer where you can see depictions of the natural and cultural history of the park.

Swimming and boat rentals at the 12-acre lake are available from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The Hanging Rock Bathhouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places is available to all swimmers and visitors. Fishing is permitted in the lake and the nearby Dan River, where you can also take in a canoe or kayak trip.

Rock climbing is permitted in the park via a permit that can be obtained from the Visitor’s Center. A variety of established climbing routes will entertain seasoned and novice climbers alike.