Policies for COVID-19
Posted on: Tuesday, March 8, 2022 - 4:22pm |
Trails
Lower Cascades closed Aug 16,17
Lower Cascades will be closed August 16 and 17 for parking lot paving. Roadside parking is prohibited. Cars parked illegally will be ticketed and towed. Please enjoy one of our other 4 waterfalls on Aug 16, 17 while crews are working. Call 336-593-8480 for assistance finding an alternate hike.
Last updated on: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 Swimming Beach closures
Swimming closed every Tues & Wed. Diving platform may be closed intermittantly due to lifeguard shortage. Starting mid- August as lifeguards go back to school, swim beach may be closed some weekdays due to staff shortage. Please call ahead 336-593-8480 to confirm swim beach hours/days of operation.
Last updated on: Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Contact the park
336-593-8480
hanging.rock@ncparks.gov
Addresses
Park entrance
1790 Hanging Rock Park Road
Danbury, NC 27016
GPS: 36.4119, -80.2541
Visitor center
1005 Visitor Center Drive
Westfield, NC 27053
GPS: 36.3952, -80.2665
Lake bathhouse
2847 Hanging Rock Park Road
Westfield, NC 27053
GPS: 36.3902, -80.2678
Lower Cascades parking area
2143 Hall Road
Westfield, NC 27053
GPS: 36.4148, -80.2647
Dan River access
1258 Flinchum Road
Danbury, NC 27016
GPS: 36.4293, -80.2487
Tory's Den parking area
1185 Charlie Young Road
Westfield, NC 27053
GPS: 36.4019, -80.2995
Climbing access
1035 Climbing Access Drive
Westfield, NC 27053
GPS: 36.3995, -80.2906
Mountain biking access
2568 Moores Spring Road
Westfield, NC 27053
GPS: 36.4187, -80.2839
Hours
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The park's main gate at Hanging Rock Park Road observes the following opening and closing hours:
- December to February:
7:00am to 7:00pm
- March to April:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- May to September:
7:00am to 10:00pm
- October:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- November:
7:00am to 8:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
- Campers and cabin guests must arrive prior to the closing hour, after which the park gate is closed for the night.
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All other accesses, including Lower Cascades, Tory's Den, Dan River access, climbing access, and mountain bike trails, observe the gate hours listed below. Please plan accordingly.
- December to February:
7:30am to 5:30pm
- March to April:
7:30am to 7:30pm
- May to September:
7:30am to 8:30pm
- October:
7:30am to 7:30pm
- November:
7:30am to 6:30pm
- Closed Christmas Day
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Summer months only. Hours may vary due to staff availability. The diving platform may be closed due to staffing; please inquire with staff for hours.
- Monday:
11:00am to 5:45pm
Thursday to Sunday:
10:00am to 5:45pm
- Fee charged for all swimmers. Free swim from 5:00pm to 5:45pm.
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Hanging Rock State Park will not have boat rentals available in 2021. The concession stand is open when the swim beach is open.
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Open weekends only in spring and fall
- Open daily during summer months
- 10:00am to 5:30pm
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Open daily:
- 9:00am to 4:45pm
- Closed Christmas Day
List of trails
Trails are marked with small plastic symbols nailed to trees. Each trail has its own symbol, unique in color and shape. Trail descriptions below state which colored shape matches which trail. As you are hiking, make note of what colored shape you are following. Some trails share routes for some distance, in which case, you may see more than one colored symbol on the trail for a period of time.
Most trail marker symbols have a small number embossed on them. These numbers do not indicate distance. However, they are commonly called "mile markers." If you have an emergency and call for help, please report which number "mile marker," color and shape symbol you are near, so help can locate you quicker.
When trails are closed for construction, poor trail conditions due to weather, or any other reason, they are closed both for visitor safety and for the protection of the trail and natural resources. Trails are expensive to construct, maintain, and repair. Disregarding trail closures results in:
- Delaying or prolonging construction or repair;
- Damaging the trails, resulting in significant costs and further closure time for additional repair;
- Endangering yourself in addition to both state parks and EMS staff who would work to get you out of harm's way if you are lost or hurt.
Thank you for respecting our park's natural resources, facilities, and fellow park visitors.
Mountain Bike Trails – Black Racer Trail
Location: Mountain bike trails parking lot – 2568 Moores Spring Road
Description:
Park at the mountain bike trails parking lot at 2568 Moores Spring Road. Walk your bike across the crosswalk; use caution when crossing Moores Spring Road. This trail is a short loop beginning and ending near trail marker number 33 of the Hognose Trail. The trail surface is gravel, dirt, and rock. The trail follows a ridge through what was once an old campground. This gentle, winding trail is good for newer riders.
Mountain bike trails are open to hikers and mountain bikers. Hikers must yield to mountain bikers.
Surface: natural surface, gravel
Length:
0.90 miles
loop
0.90 miles
loop
Difficulty:
intermediate biking
intermediate biking
Blaze:
green triangles
green triangles
Mountain Bike Trails – Copperhead Connector Trail
Location: Farmhouse parking lot – 2700 Moores Spring Road
Description:
This trail is not recommended for beginners. The trail starts at the beginning of the farmhouse parking lot driveway at 2700 Moores Spring Road. From the driveway, the trail winds under the NC Department of Transportation bridge on Moores Spring Road. The trail immediately crosses Cascade Creek. There is no bridge; riders must cross through the creek. The trail then goes uphill and splits at a Y. To the right, the trail leads to Black Racer Trail; to the left, the trail leads to Kingsnake Trail. The trail's surface is gravel, dirt, and rock.
Mountain bike trails are open to hikers and mountain bikers. Hikers must yield to mountain bikers.
Surface: natural surface, gravel, water crossings
Length:
1.50 miles
one way
1.50 miles
one way
Difficulty:
intermediate biking
intermediate biking
Blaze:
yellow triangles
yellow triangles
Mountain Bike Trails – Hognose Trail
Location: Mountain bike trails parking lot – 2568 Moores Spring Road
Description:
Park at the mountain bike trails parking lot at 2568 Moores Spring Road. Walk your bike across the crosswalk; use caution when crossing Moores Spring Road. This trail is a short loop beginning and ending near trail marker number 106 of the Kingsnake Trail. The trail surface is gravel, dirt, and rock. The trail leads through a mature open forest. This gentle, winding trail is good for newer riders.
Mountain bike trails are open to hikers and mountain bikers. Hikers must yield to mountain bikers.
Surface: natural surface, gravel
Length:
1.00 miles
loop
1.00 miles
loop
Difficulty:
intermediate biking
intermediate biking
Blaze:
blue triangles
blue triangles
Mountain Bike Trails – Kingsnake Trail
Location: Mountain bike trails parking lot – 2568 Moores Spring Road
Description:
Trail begins at the mountain bike trails parking lot at 2568 Moores Spring Road. Walk your bike across the crosswalk; use caution when crossing Moores Spring Road. The trail surface is gravel, dirt, and rock. The trail crosses the metal grate pedestrian bridge and winds past the historic Moore's Spring House, where mineral water was bottled and shipped worldwide in the early 1900s. The trail turns uphill to the right past the springhouse. Halfway up the hill, the trail turns left. Ride under stately beech trees in a large loop high above the Dan River.
Mountain bike trails are open to hikers and mountain bikers. Hikers must yield to mountain bikers.
Surface: natural surface, gravel, boardwalk/bridge
Length:
1.80 miles
one way
1.80 miles
one way
Difficulty:
intermediate biking
intermediate biking
Blaze:
red triangles
red triangles
Mountain Bike Trails – Land of the Lost Trail
Location: Mountain bike trails parking lot – 2568 Moores Spring Road
Description:
Park at the mountain bike trails parking lot at 2568 Moores Spring Road. This trail begins near marker number 14 of the Original Loop Trail and ends near trail marker number 4 of the Major Tom Trail. The trail's surface is gravel, dirt, and rock. The trail features some lovely flowing cycling, with a couple of rocky creek crossings. It is a pleasant back-end trail with some great, speedy descents.
Mountain bike trails are open to hikers and mountain bikers. Hikers must yield to mountain bikers.
Surface: natural surface, gravel, water crossings
Length:
1.70 miles
one way
1.70 miles
one way
Difficulty:
intermediate biking
intermediate biking
Blaze:
white hexagons
white hexagons
Park Maps and Brochures:
