Hanging Rock State Park
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins
- Official site
- ncparks.gov(336) 593-8480
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Hanging Rock State Park is a park in Stokes County, about 11 miles northeast of King.
Visitors come for rock climbing, horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, and boating. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and boat or kayak rentals. Camping is available: 3 camping areas, including RV sites, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and group camping. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other — January | Daily | 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. | — |
| Other — February | Daily | 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. | — |
| Other — March | Daily | 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. | — |
| Other — May | Daily | 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Park | Campers and cabin guests must arrive prior to the closing hour, after which the park gate is closed for the night. The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays. | ||
| Other — January | Daily | 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | — |
| Other — February | Daily | 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. | — |
| Other — March | Daily | 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. | — |
| Other — May | Daily | 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. | — |
| Swimming | Sun | 5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | — |
| Other | Boat Rentals: Boating at the lake is permitted between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend during operational hours. Last day of the lake season is Monday, September 7th, 2026. Mondays: Closed Tuesdays: Closed Wednesdays: Closed Thursday: Closed Friday: Closed Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed Lake operational hours may vary due to staff availability. The last rental is at 4:30 p.m. and all boats must be returned by 5:30 p.m. A fee ($10.00/hour) is charged for all boat rentals and visitors must be at least 16 years old to rent. Personal boats and watercraft are not allowed on the lake. | ||
| Visitor center | Daily | 9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Main Park Gate Hours: The park's main gate at Hanging Rock Park Road observes the listed opening and closing hours:
January: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
February: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
March: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
April: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
May: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
June: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
July: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
August: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
September: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
October: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
November: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Campers and cabin guests must arrive prior to the closing hour, after which the park gate is closed for the night. The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.
Other Gate Hours: All other accesses, including Lower Cascades, Tory's Den, Dan River access, climbing access, and mountain bike trails, observe the gate hours listed. Please plan accordingly.
January: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
February: 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
March: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
April: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
May: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
June: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
July: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
August: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
September: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
October: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
November: 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
December: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.
Swimming and Concession Stand: Swimming at the lake is permitted between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend during operational hours. The last day the swim beach and concession stand is open is September 7, 2026. Mondays: Closed Tuesdays: Closed Wednesdays: Closed Thursday: Closed Friday: Closed Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed Lake operational hours may vary due to staff availability. The diving platform may be closed due to lifeguard staffing; please inquire with park staff for hours. A fee is charged for all swimmers. Adults $6.00, Children (3-12) $4.00. Free swim is available from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Boat Rentals: Boating at the lake is permitted between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend during operational hours. Last day of the lake season is Monday, September 7th, 2026. Mondays: Closed Tuesdays: Closed Wednesdays: Closed Thursday: Closed Friday: Closed Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed Lake operational hours may vary due to staff availability. The last rental is at 4:30 p.m. and all boats must be returned by 5:30 p.m. A fee ($10.00/hour) is charged for all boat rentals and visitors must be at least 16 years old to rent. Personal boats and watercraft are not allowed on the lake.
Visitor Center: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Swimming and Concession Stand: Swimming at the lake is permitted between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend during operational hours. The last day the swim beach and concession stand is open is September 7, 2026. Mondays: Closed Tuesdays: Closed Wednesdays: Closed Thursday: Closed Friday: Closed Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed Lake operational hours may vary due to staff availability. The diving platform may be closed due to lifeguard staffing; please inquire with park staff for hours. A fee is charged for all swimmers. Adults $6.00, Children (3-12) $4.00. Free swim is available from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Boat Rentals: Boating at the lake is permitted between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend during operational hours. Last day of the lake season is Monday, September 7th, 2026. Mondays: Closed Tuesdays: Closed Wednesdays: Closed Thursday: Closed Friday: Closed Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed Lake operational hours may vary due to staff availability. The last rental is at 4:30 p.m. and all boats must be returned by 5:30 p.m. A fee ($10.00/hour) is charged for all boat rentals and visitors must be at least 16 years old to rent. Personal boats and watercraft are not allowed on the lake.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
Free entry at most parks ('Most state parks are free to enter'); per-vehicle day-use fees at the reservoir SRAs (Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, Kerr Lake) and fees for swimming, boat launches, rentals, ferries and camping.
Statewide fee rule from North Carolina's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
North Carolina park passes
- Annual Pass for Reservoirs — $70 Details
- Annual Pass — $100 Details
- Annual Pass with 4WD Beach Access — $200. Annual Pass benefits plus four-wheel-drive beach access Details
From the North Carolina state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (northcarolinastateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-877-722-6762
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed · leash up to 6 feet
Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Camping – Primitive Tent Campsites There are five group campsites that can accommodate minimum five people, and maximum 16 people.
Cancellation Policy for Group Campsites
Please note that if you need to cancel your group campsite reservations, you have until 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. No refunds are issued after the 14-day mark, but campers may reschedule to another date and will be charged only the cancellation fees. | — | — | |
| Vacation Cabins Two-night minimum stay required. From the first Monday in June to the third Monday in August, vacation cabins must be rented weekly from Monday to Monday.
Campers must bring their own pillows and sleeping bags or linens, as these are not provided. Each cabin has electrical outlets and a heating and air-conditioning unit. There are restrooms inside the cabin, as well as a full kitchen. Outside each cabin, there is a picnic table, charcoal grill, and a fire ring.
Cabin numbers 1 and 9 are accessible for people with limited mobility or disabilities. Please do not reserve an accessible site if… | — | — | |
| Tent, Trailer, and RV Camping The Family Campground in Hanging Rock State Park consists of two loops that have a combined total of 73 campsites.
All of these sites can be reserved ahead of time, and any sites that have not previously been reserved are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each campsite includes a fire ring and a picnic table. Camp amenities include a drinking station where campers can obtain fresh drinking water as well as restrooms with hot showers. The campground is pet-friendly, but pets must be kept on a leash at all times. | — | Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Camping
- Vacation cabins
- Tent sites
- Trailer and RV sites (no hookups)
- Group tent sites
- Showers
- Firewood
Group Camping – Primitive Tent Campsites
There are five group campsites that can accommodate minimum five people, and maximum 16 people.
Cancellation Policy for Group Campsites
Please note that if you need to cancel your group campsite reservations, you have until 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. No refunds are issued after the 14-day mark, but campers may reschedule to another date and will be charged only the cancellation fees.
Book Now
Vacation Cabins
Two-night minimum stay required. From the first Monday in June to the third Monday in August, vacation cabins must be rented weekly from Monday to Monday.
Campers must bring their own pillows and sleeping bags or linens, as these are not provided. Each cabin has electrical outlets and a heating and air-conditioning unit. There are restrooms inside the cabin, as well as a full kitchen. Outside each cabin, there is a picnic table, charcoal grill, and a fire ring.
Cabin numbers 1 and 9 are accessible for people with limited mobility or disabilities. Please do not reserve an accessible site if no one in your group needs it, unless it is the only site left available when you are making your reservation.
Animals are not allowed in the cabins or cabin area, with the exception of service animals. Each cabin has parking space for two vehicles.
Cancellation Policy for Cabins
Please note that cabin reservations must be cancelled at least 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. No refunds are issued after the 14-day mark, but campers may reschedule to another date and will be charged only the cancellation fees.
Book Now
Tent, Trailer, and RV Camping
The Family Campground in Hanging Rock State Park consists of two loops that have a combined total of 73 campsites.
All of these sites can be reserved ahead of time, and any sites that have not previously been reserved are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each campsite includes a fire ring and a picnic table. Camp amenities include a drinking station where campers can obtain fresh drinking water as well as restrooms with hot showers. The campground is pet-friendly, but pets must be kept on a leash at all times.
Book Now
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
HikingBikingHorseback ridingCanoeing and kayakingSwimmingFishingPicnickingRock climbingBoatingCamping
Trails
Hiking Trails: Open
Bridle Trails: Open
Bike Trails: Open
Swimming
Swimming (seasonal)
Boating and paddling
Paddling
Fishing
Fishing
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
- Restaurant or food service
- Amphitheater
- Group facilities
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Primitive or backcountry camping
- Group camping
Lodging
- Cabins
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 1258 Flinchum Road
Danbury, NC 27016 - Nearest town
- King — about 11 mi northeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 36.4119, -80.2541
- Phone
- (336) 593-8480
- hanging.rock@ncparks.gov
Entrances
- Main Park Entrance / Visitor Center / Lake Bathhouse — 1790 Hanging Rock Park Road, Danbury, NC 27016
- Lower Cascades Parking Area — 2143 Hall Road, Westfield, NC 27053
- Dan River Access — 1258 Flinchum Road, Danbury, NC 27016
- Tory's Den Parking Area — 1185 Charlie Young Road, Westfield, NC 27053
- Climbing Access — 1035 Climbing Access Drive, Westfield, NC 27053
- Mountain Biking Access — 2568 Moores Spring Road, Westfield, NC 27053
Google Maps directionsApple Maps
Entrance gate: Main Park Gate Hours: The park's main gate at Hanging Rock Park Road observes the listed opening and closing hours:
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- North Carolina State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- NC State Parks 'Catalog: Find a State Park Access' (paged Drupal view, ?page=0..6)
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology