Like so many state parks Hanging Rock State Park is located in a somewhat isolated area. About 30 miles north of Winston-Salem and 11 miles south of the Virginia/North Carolina border, Hanging Rock covers over 9,000 acres (3,642 ha) of heavily forested land that towers to 2,579’ (786 m) above sea level. Established, as with so many of the nation’s state parks, in the 1930’s the park has grown almost 3 times in size through donations and acquisitions.
There isn’t a bad time to visit the park as each season has its advantages. We visited in early spring (April) as the trees were just starting to bud and the waterfalls were flush with winter rain and melting snow. The summer months bring more color and the oak-hickory forest provides much needed shade from the warmer temperatures. Unfortunately it also means the trails, lake and campgrounds are far more crowded. One of the bonus features of the park is there are no admission fees to enter, park and hike at your leisure.
Our interest was focused primarily on the hiking trails, specifically for overlooks and waterfalls. As with all outdoor activities it’s best to arrive as early as possible. The Hanging Rock State Park opens at 7am year-round and the trails start to get real crowded about mid-morning. We had a date in Mount Airy later in the day so we had about 5 hours of exploring in front of us. Most all of the activities we had, except the Lower Cascades Falls and the Hanging Rock Park Lake, were each accessible from the main parking lot near the Visitor Center so navigating was easy.
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Hanging Rock State Park Visitor Center
Unfortunately the visitor center was closed (Covid-19 and repairs) when we visited but each of North Carolina’s state parks have excellent visitor centers so be sure to go there first upon arrival. While its best to plan ahead on your own, they can answer any questions that still remain upon your arrival. The center is located to the far left as you enter the main parking lot, accessible from Hanging Rock Park Road.
Hanging Rock Overlook
Access to the 2.4 mile (3.86 km) out-and-back Hanging Rock overlook starts from the northeast end of the main parking lot with a clear trailhead sign for Hanging Rock Trail. The first part of the trail is a wide extended concrete path to accommodate any wheelchair hikers. About 7 minute in it turns to gravel and then dirt but remains smooth alternating between a few relatively flat areas to steeper inclines that will give your thighs a good workout. As you ascend you’ll have nice views of the valleys below, in the colder months, and thick forests during the warmer months.
About 30 minutes in you’ll begin to see mountain peaks in the distance and a series of wooden stairs. There’s also a fantastic set of large flat rocks at the foot of the steps that are perfect for a short rest and a photo op. There are a few easy rock scrambles that lead to a large rock formation that contains wonderful high peaks (similar to Chimney Rock) with multiple crevices and deep fissures going up at least 60’ (18 m). This is shortly followed by another craggy rock face with numerous horizontal and vertical cracks and creases high enough to block out the morning sun.
The rocky trail continues its vertical ascent with rock faces to your left and a deep forested descent into the valley below to your right. If you love rocks then this stretch of the hike will be enjoyable as you navigate through dirt and stone steps and exposed chestnut oak tree roots. Eventually your efforts will pay off as you reach the 603’ (184 m) elevation gain summit.
There are several excellent hanging rocks to choose from to see amazing views of the valleys below. There is also a central rock grouping that is very popular for climbing and ideal for candid pics. No doubt you’ll want to hang around this area for awhile to soak in the rocks, the overlooks and maybe grab a snack and relax. You can venture a bit further on for some other interesting rock formations and overlooks before making your descent back down the mountain to the parking lot.
Hidden Falls at Hanging Rock State Park
At the far end of the main parking lot is the trailhead for the Indian Creek Trail that features stops for the Hidden Falls and Window Falls. The total out-and-back trail is 1.2 miles (1.93 km) and begins with a few log cabin-like shelters perfect for large gatherings complete with picnic tables, fire pits and ovens. The gravel trail continues relatively flat until the .2 mile (.32 km) mark when it begins to descend until you see the sign for Hidden Falls to your right.
As you make your way down the narrow path you can hear the sound of the falls. As you approach a last set of wooden steps you can begin to see the main falls themselves. The top portion is about 13’ (4 m) in height and a few feet in diameter. After settling into a small pool the water continues to cascade down natural stair steps until it makes its way down the mountain side. You can venture out a bit to get a more straight-on view of the falls and the initial cascades.
To the right of the falls there is a path that allows you to go above the falls and see the portion of the Indian Creek that feeds the initial descent. You can’t really get a good view of the main drop-off but it’s still interesting to see how the rocks have formed after centuries of impact from the running water. It’s also amazing how the surrounding plant life integrates itself in and around the rocks and water. After taking this all in just reverse your steps back to the main trail and continue on towards . . .
Window Falls at Hanging Rock State Park
Window Falls is just a short distance on from the Hidden Falls along the Indian Creek Trail. Take note of the unusual tree with a huge bubbled outgrowth on its right side. You’ll descend along a path that combines wooden steps, flat rocks, views of the valley below to your left and eventually rock stairs that lead to a wooden platform from which you can catch a glimpse of the top of the falls.
To the left of the wooden platform there is a path that becomes rock steps downward, bringing you around a towering overhanging rock face that brings you to a second wood fence that affords a different view of the falls. You then continue down a short rock scramble to the base of the main falls. One of the cool things about Window Falls is the ability to navigate to several different spots affording you contrasting perspectives of both the falls and the lower cascades.
The lower cascades are quite beautiful and actually more impressive than the original 15’ (4 m) ascent. You also get a great view of how the water has shaped some of the adjacent rocks into almost hollowed out shapes. Make sure to take note of the roots from all that remains tree clamped between two large rocks (located around the base of the stairs). As you head back there is a great spot at the base of the overhanging rock for a unique picture. From this point it’s about .6 miles (mostly uphill) back to the main parking lot.
Rock Garden
To the left of the Visitor’s Center you’ll see a sign for Upper Cascades and Rock Garden as they are both accessible off of the Rock Garden Trail. Take note that there is wheelchair access to the edge of the Rock Garden. The garden itself is an amazing combination of rocks that include a tunnel effect (perfect adventure for little ones, a rock shaped like a baby dinosaur and rocks of various shapes and sizes inter-meshed above, around and under other rocks.
There is a balancing rock, a corridor of elongated rocks intersected by a few trees that split the difference between the two boulders. What makes it so unique is that this collection is made up of independent boulders as opposed to the more common differing sections of a large single rock. Though tempting they ask that no one climb on the rocks so they can remain as nature has intended.
Upper Cascades Falls at Hanging Rock State Park
This short .8 mile (1.3 km) out-and-back trail leads to the 25’ (8 m) Upper Cascades Falls. Follow the mostly gravel wide trail until you happen upon a long wooden bridge that ends with a nice overhead view of the falls. You can view the falls from a few overhead platforms as it gently cascades itself down the various rock formations along the side of the hill. The falls spills onto a flat pool area that eventually gives way to another smaller falls that flows between two large-wedged boulders.
At the far end of the top platform there are stairs that lead down to the base of the falls where you can get a real closeup view of the falls and, particularly in the warmer months, dip your feet in the water for a cool down. As with most taller waterfalls, the surrounding rock formations take on unique shapes that only centuries of water wear can produce. The base produces a number of flat rocks perfect for relaxing, sitting or simply stretching your legs out.
As you’re exiting there is a steep downhill trail, just beyond the end of the wooden bridge, that provides a better perspective of how the main falls feeds a few other falls further on. Be careful, as there is nowhere to go but down if you slip, as you hop along the boulders to get breathtaking views of falls, rocks and trees intertwined as only nature can produce.
Lower Cascades Falls at Hanging Rock State Park
This is the most popular falls in the park so an early morning arrival it usually best. Because we went in early Spring we had no problem parking when we arrived around 2 pm in the afternoon but it is entirely different in the summer. This is a short .8 mile (1.29 km) out-and-back trail that is mostly wooden and stone steps (including a cool section with an overhanging rock). You can catch glimpses of, and certainly hear, the falls as you descend your way down to the base.
The 35’ (11 m) high falls is neatly tucked between a massive funneled rock wall on one side and a horizontally striated rock cliff on the other. It spills into a flat open pool area that is extremely popular in the summer, particularly for kids as it’s quite shallow and safe. The rocks surrounding the main falls are worth your time to examine. There is so much detail and “personality” to all of the variations, colors and shapes as it rises an additional 75’ (23 m) above the top of the falls, creating an almost cave-like atmosphere.
At the base of the pool the rocks rise just enough to walk across. It provides the best picture opportunities in the park with the falls and rising rock face reflecting the sun off the water surface in the background. Below the pool is a 60’ (18 m) long series of cascades, about 20’ (6 m) across at its widest point, that continue on past massive boulders and fallen trees. To the left of these cascades you can clearly see the rock formations that create the whitewater that makes cascades so enjoyable. There are a series of overlapping layers of flat rocks that each require the water to fall down onto the next level. The Lower Cascades are truly a beautiful display of nature’s magnificence.
If you have more than a day to explore, Hanging Rock has so much more to offer. There are numerous other trails, overlooks (including one that can view Pilot Mountain), a few more waterfalls, camping sites and a 12-acre (4.9 ha) lake with seasonal opportunities for swimming, fishing and even boating. Hanging Rock State Park has something for all ages and interests regardless of the time of year and is absolutely free to enter and explore.
What’s your favorite State Park? We’d love to hear more about it!
