Overview
Hanging Rock is one of North Carolina's most popular state parks. The park covers 7,000 acres of the Sauratown Mountains, ancient quartzite outcroppings 250-500 million years old. Hikers will enjoy scenic views of the surrounding wilderness, cities, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Camping is by permit only, with car camp sites as well as rental cabins and group camp sites. Car camp sites are first-come, first-served, and are often fully booked, but off-park alternatives are located nearby. All trails are popular year-round.
Trails
Chestnut Oak Nature Trail (0.7 mile, moderate)
Cook's Wall Trail (1.6 miles, moderate)
Hanging Rock Trail (1.3 miles, moderate)
Hidden Falls Trail (0.4 mile, easy)
Indian Creek Trail (3.6 miles, moderate)
Lower Cascades Trail (0.4 mile, moderate)
Magnolia Springs Trail (0.4 mile, moderate)
Moore's Wall Loop Trail (4.3 miles, strenuous)
Mountains-to-Sea Trail (7.4 miles, strenuous) 
Sauratown Loop Trail (6.0 miles, strenuous)
Tory's Den Trail (2.4 miles, moderate)
Upper Cascades Trail (0.2 mile, easy)
Window Falls Trail (0.6 mile, moderate)
Wolf Rock Loop Trail (1.4 miles, moderate)
Wildlife
Hanging Rock is the easternmost range for some species native to the mountians. Peregrine falcons nest in the park. The rare Wehrle's salamander can also be found here. Look for common species such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums, skunks, lizards, and grasshoppers. Black bears, bobcats, and foxes have been spotted in the park.
Plant Life
The forests of Hanging Rock are predominantly chestnut oak, with hickory and other hardwoods also common. Mountain species such as rhododendron, mountain laurel, and galax are common. Other typical forest species including holly, ivy, ferns, mushrooms, common yucca, sumac, poison ivy, sunflowers, blueberries, and huckleberries.
Landmarks
Hanging Rock, Balanced Rock, Indian Face, Wolf Rock, House Rock, Cook's Wall, Tory's Den, Tory's Falls, Lower Cascades Falls, Upper Cascades Falls, Window Falls, Hidden Falls, and Moore's Knob — the highest point in the Sauratown Mountain range at 2,572 ft.
External Links 
Official Site
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