Hanging Rock State Park

As its name implies, this park is named for the huge rocks that seem suspended in mid-air. Not only are the rocks beautiful, but rock climbers accept the challenge of two miles of 400-foot high cliffs. (Climbers must register, use their own equipment, and proceed at their own risk.) The park's 12 hiking trails go past cascading waterfalls, rugged cliffs, a mountain cave, and vistas overlooking the Piedmont hills and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The park has 77 tent and RV sites, as well as its 10 rustic cabins (reservations required). There's a tranquil 12-acre lake for swimming, picnicking, fishing, canoeing, and rowing a boat. Interactive ...

As its name implies, this park is named for the huge rocks that seem suspended in mid-air. Not only are the rocks beautiful, but rock climbers accept the challenge of two miles of 400-foot high cliffs. (Climbers must register, use their own equipment, and proceed at their own risk.) The park's 12 hiking trails go past cascading waterfalls, rugged cliffs, a mountain cave, and vistas overlooking the Piedmont hills and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The park has 77 tent and RV sites, as well as its 10 rustic cabins (reservations required). There's a tranquil 12-acre lake for swimming, picnicking, fishing, canoeing, and rowing a boat. Interactive exhibits in the visitor's center focus on plant and animal life, geology, the Native Americans who lived here, and the Civilian Conservation Corps who built the park. The park shelters wildflowers such as the pink lady's slipper, turkey-beard, bird-foot violet, and fire pink. It is home to whippoorwills, eastern screech owls and barred owls, bats, white-tailed deer, raccoons, and gray foxes. Nestled in the Sauratown Mountains, with peaks ranging from 1,700 to 2,500 feet, the park covers 6,921 acres. It is located off US 52 north, four miles northwest of Danbury.

About the Expert

Carol Timblin has contributed to numerous guidebooks and authored four editions of Houghton Mifflin's Best Places to Stay in the South.