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
moderate
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
strenuous
Blaze:
red circles
red circles
Mountain Bike Trails – Land of the Lost Trail
Location: Farmhouse parking lot – 2700 Moores Spring Road
Description:
Park at the farmhouse parking lot, located at 2700 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:
moderate
moderate
Blaze:
white hexagons
white hexagons
Mountain Bike Trails – Major Tom Trail
Location: Farmhouse parking lot – 2700 Moores Spring Road
Description:
Park at the farmhouse parking lot, located at 2700 Moores Spring Road. The trail begins near trail marker number 13 of the Original Loop Trail, parallels a farm field, then ends near marker number 10 of the Original Loop. The trail's surface is gravel, dirt, and rock. It is a fast, rocky trail across steep hillsides.
Surface: natural surface, gravel
Length:
1.40 miles
one way
1.40 miles
one way
Difficulty:
moderate
moderate
Blaze:
orange hexagons
orange hexagons
Mountain Bike Trails – Original Loop Trail
Location: Farmhouse parking lot – 2700 Moores Spring Road
Description:
The trail begins at the west side of the farmhouse parking lot, located at 2700 Moores Spring Road. The trail surface is gravel, dirt, and rock. The trail is winding with flowing sections and good berms, and it is a good loop through rolling forested hills.
Mountain bike trails are open to hikers and mountain bikers. Hikers must yield to mountain bikers.
Surface: natural surface, gravel
Length:
3.00 miles
loop
3.00 miles
loop
Difficulty:
moderate
moderate
Blaze:
blue hexagons
blue hexagons
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, December 14, 2019 - 2:30pm
Sunday, December 15, 2019 - 3:00pm
Saturday, December 21, 2019 - 1:00pm