Posted in North Carolina Nature, State Parks, Waterfalls May 18, 2023 by

The Most Beautiful Canyon In America Is Right Here In North Carolina… And It Isn’t Linville Gorge

Hanging Rock State Park was created in the 1930s as another fantastic Civilian Conservation Corps project. Since then, it has been an attraction of fun, offering an abundance of activities including picnic grounds, swimming in its well-stocked lake, canoe rentals, 73 campground sites, waterfalls, biking trails, and more than 20 miles of hiking trails, leading to panoramic views, streams, waterfalls, and other stunning and surprising glimpses of nature.  

Hanging Rock State Park offers 9,011 acres of exploration in Stokes County, North Carolina. The extensive list of trails keeps you wandering to inspiring woodlands, water, and wildlife.
TrailDame/TripAdvisor
Here the photographer captured a common scene found at Hanging Rock, this doe and her sweet baby fawns.
bobistraveling, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
In addition, you will find the moist forests and streams are an ideal home to a variety of salamanders, lizards, and snakes. But don't worry about the snakes, as they are usually harmless and seldom make an appearance.
To guide you along, the trails are uniquely marked with plastic symbols nailed to the trees.
TrailDame/TripAdvisor
Some trails share the same path for awhile, indicated by the two different symbols.
The Hanging Rock Trail leads to Hanging Rock after a 1.3-mile hike. Depending on the hiker, it usually takes about an hour to make it to the top.
TrailDame/TripAdvisor
Eventually steps help the trek upward.
And the big payoff — the most beautiful canyon in America. The peak sits at an elevation of 2,159 feet.
Jacalyn Engler from Greensboro, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The surrounding trees are pinus pungens, also known as hickory or mountain pines.
It takes time to ingest the inspiration of this vast landscape.
bobistraveling, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
So don't be in a hurry; take a deep breath, and plan on allowing this to replace some of the stress you leave behind.
In addition to the overhang, the park offers five spectacular waterfalls.
Justin P/AllTrails
The Upper Cascades Trail takes you to these gorgeous falls. Here is the lower section.
This tiered waterfall is featured on the Indian Creek Trail, located about a half-mile from the Visitor Center parking lot.
Kylem322, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The gurgling sounds and mist from these natural wonders are refreshing rewards along the trails.
And when you are hot and tired, put on your bathing suit and dip in the inviting swimming beach, a 12-acre lake, formed by the damming of Cascade Creek.
xwest2, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Feel the love and sometimes cool breezes from the surrounding hardwood forest creeping up to the shoreline.
Privacy is offered in this wood and stone and bathhouse, which includes dressing rooms and restrooms. If you're hungry, find something to eat in the snack bar; sit in the offered lounge area, and enjoy the view of the lake and Moore's Knob.
Ceh2624, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
No matter where you look, there is something wonderful to see at Hanging Rock State Park in North Carolina.

Another surprise at Hanging Rock State Park is Tory’s Den Cave, for the spelunkers out there. Discover the fascinating history of this Revolutionary War-era cave at the parking lot display. Tory’s Den Cave and Waterfall Trail also leads to the tallest waterfall in the park, Tory’s Falls, where the water drops 240 feet over a series of rock terraces. With so many exciting stops in one state park; what are you waiting for? See you there!

For a fascinating perspective of Hanging Rock State Park by drone, take a look at this brief video, courtesy of YouTube user High Sight Drone POV:

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Address: Hanging Rock State Park Visitor Center, Walnut Cove, NC 27052, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

hanging rock state park

May 23, 2023
Beth C.

What are some of the best state parks to visit in North Carolina?

There are so many parks to explore in North Carolina, and in our opinion, they are all magnificent. However, some of the top-rated state parks to visit in North Carolina include the following:

  • Mount Mitchell State Park: home to the namesake mountain, which is the highest point east of the Mississippi River
  • Jockey's Ridge State Park: explore the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic Coast
  • Elk Knob State Park: home to rare plantlife and exquisite, forested hiking trails
  • Chimney Rock State Park: a massive 5,700-acre park with a waterfall and iconic boulder
  • Hammocks Beach State Park: brimming with beautiful landscapes, which include tidal creeks, salt marshes, and beachfront
  • William B. Umstead State Park: a gorgeous park with lakes, trails, and scenic overlooks
  • Pilot Mountain State Park: a remnant of the ancient Sauratown Mountains
  • Stone Mountain State Park: one of the state's most unique landmarks
  • Lake Norman State Park: a secluded park with beautiful lakeside views
  • Fort Macon State Park: home to a restored historic fort that played a role in the Civil War
  • Dismal Swamp State Park: made up of 14,000 acres of winding rivers and cypress trees

 

Learn more about what makes each of the above destinations so exquisite when you check out our overview of North Carolina's best state parks.

What are some of the best hiking trails in North Carolina?

With such a diverse array of landscapes to enjoy, North Carolina is a hiker's paradise. Some of the best hiking trails in North Carolina include:

  • Clingman's Dome Observational Tower Trail
  • Looking Glass Rock
  • Triple Falls Trail
  • Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls Trail
  • High Falls
  • Crabtree Falls Trail
  • Hanging Rock Trail
  • Black Balsam Knob via Art Loeb Trail
  • Linville Falls Trail
  • Graveyard Upper Falls Trail