Trails
1790 Hanging Rock Park Road
Danbury, NC 27016
336-593-8480
hanging.rock@ncparks.gov
GPS: 36.411906, -80.254120
December, January, February: 7am - 7pm
March, April: 7am - 9pm
May, June, July, August, September: 7am - 10pm
October: 7am - 9pm
November: 7am - 8pm
Camping and cabin guests must arrive prior to the closing hour, after which the park gate is closed for the night.
The park is closed Christmas Day.
Swimming
(Summer months only. Hours may vary slightly due to staff availability. Diving platform may be closed due to staffing, please inquire with staff for hours)
Monday: 11am - 5:45pm
Tuesday - Sunday: 10am - 5:45pm
(Fee charged for all swimmers. Free swim from 5-5:45 pm)
Boat Rentals and Concession Stand
Weekends only in spring and fall (10am - 5:30pm)
Daily during summer months
Park Visitor Center
9am - 4:45pm daily
Campground Washhouses Closed
We have winterized the washhouses in the family campground to prevent the pipes from freezing. They will reopen around April 1. Until then, we have primitive camping only with a pit toilet and a frost-free water faucet availalbe in the campground lower loop.
Last updated on: Wednesday, December 11, 2019List 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.
Magnolia Springs Trail
Location: Access via Moore's Wall Loop Trail. Parking at lake parking lot – 2847 Hanging Rock Park Road.
Description:
The trailhead begins 0.9 miles from the lake parking lot, on the Moore's Wall Loop Trail. The trail's surface is gravel, dirt, and rock, and it has some steps and a boardwalk. This trail is a connector, joining Moore's Wall Loop Trail to Cook's Wall Trail. It passes some of the many natural mountain springs found in the park.
Surface: natural surface, gravel, boardwalk/bridge, stairs
Length:
0.40 miles
one way
0.40 miles
one way
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
blue squares
blue squares
Moore's Wall Loop Trail
Location: Lake parking lot – 2847 Hanging Rock Park Road
Description:
This trail begins at the trailhead directly behind the stone bathhouse next to the lake parking lot at 2847 Hanging Rock Park Road. If hiking this trail clockwise, the trail climbs elevation slowly, ultimately leading to the highest point in the Sauratown Mountains: the Observation Tower, at 2,947 feet above sea level. Enjoy awe-inspiring 360-degree views from atop this former fire tower. After passing "Balanced Rock," continue down the 684 stone steps of the "endless staircase." The trail crosses a small creek and passes behind the campground amphitheater. The trail then emerges onto a paved road surface. Follow the red dots on the pavement to campsite 40, where the trail goes back into the woods, then meanders along the back of the lake, and returns to the lake parking lot.
Surface: natural surface, gravel, paved, water crossings, stairs
Length:
4.70 miles
loop
4.70 miles
loop
Difficulty:
strenuous hike
strenuous hike
Blaze:
red circles
red circles
Mountain Bike Trails – Black Racer Trail
Location: Interim parking lot – 2568 Moores Spring Road
Description:
Park at the interim 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.
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 Raver Trail; to the left, the trail leads to Kingsnake Trail. The trail's surface is gravel, dirt, and rock.
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: Interim parking lot – 2568 Moores Spring Road
Description:
Park at the interim 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.
Surface: natural surface, gravel
Length:
1.00 miles
loop
1.00 miles
loop
Difficulty:
intermediate biking
intermediate biking
Blaze:
blue triangles
blue triangles
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, January 19, 2020 - 1:00pm
Saturday, February 15, 2020 - 1:00pm
Sunday, February 16, 2020 - 1:00pm