At Hanging Rock State Park, trails lead to scenic mountain views, rock outcrops, waterfalls, and a mountain cave. The variety of destinations gives you several ways to explore the landscape—from mountain vistas to striking rock formations and waterfalls.

Trails, River, and a Range of Activities

The park also has campsites, a swimming lake, and access to paddling on the Dan River. Seasonal availability of recreational activities may vary; plan according to your preferred travel dates. Some trails in Hanging Rock State Park are open to horseback riding and mountain biking.

The Sauratown Trail provides a longer connection: this 25-mile riding and hiking trail links Hanging Rock State Park with Pilot Mountain State Park. A section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail also runs from Pilot Mountain State Park in Surry County to Hanging Rock State Park in Stokes County. It uses trails in state parks and the Sauratown Trail. The two trails can be distinguished by their respective reach and focus: the Sauratown Trail itself connects the parks, while the Mountains-to-Sea section is part of a statewide route.

The Sauratown Trail has specific closure periods: its trails are closed during deer hunting season, from November through January, and in wet, muddy conditions. Check trail conditions before your outing. The Dan River, meanwhile, is the focus of the river landscape: the Dan River State Trail encompasses a 90-mile stretch of river through Surry, Stokes, and Rockingham counties and was approved as a state trail in 2021. The federally endangered logperch is also found in the Dan River, which is part of the State Trail.

At the Dan River Company river access, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are available to rent; the company also offers shuttle services. Check availability before you arrive. This lets you plan a water trip as a separate activity, while trails in the state park and the named trails offer other options.

Arts, Events, and Architectural Heritage

For more than 50 years, Stokes Stomp has celebrated the arts, music, heritage, and community spirit of Stokes County. The program includes live music and dance performances, as well as craft vendors, food trucks, children’s activities, and demonstrations. Program details may vary from one edition to another. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates for the edition you plan to attend.

Arts Place of Stokes is located at 500 Main St. in Danbury, North Carolina. Its facilities include the Ben & Lemma Apple Gallery, the Retail Market, and the Three Sisters Stage, as well as Rocky's Coffee & Ice Cream, a Ceramic Studio/Classroom, and Artist Studios. The names offer a glimpse of the venue’s different spaces—from gallery and stage to studio and classroom.

The Danbury Historic District largely preserves the architectural character it had developed by 1930. The Moratock Furnace now forms the center of Moratock Park. These two places offer different ways to experience heritage: a historic town district on the one hand, and a single structure at the heart of a park on the other.

Jessup's Mill also tells the story of the connection between a structure and the river. Built in 1910, the almost completely intact roller mill complex was powered by the Dan River. It was the only corn mill in Stokes County. During the war years, the Rock House served as a fort against Indigenous peoples and Tories, as well as a militia headquarters and gathering point. Together, these stories span mill technology and river power, as well as the Rock House’s different roles during that period.

Discover more destinations: Germanton, Haywood County, Granville County, Mitchell County, Moore County, Brunswick, Duplin County, Stanly County.

For the broader travel overview: North Carolina.