RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation celebrated the addition of 900 acres to Hanging Rock State Park in Stokes County on Thursday.
The new property is adjacent to the eastern portion of the park and will provide new recreational opportunities.
The new recreational conveniences include a new trailhead, camping, parking, a day-use area, a proposed extension of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail, and more.
“This is truly a day for celebration,” said Secretary Susi H. Hamilton. “Future visitors to Hanging Rock State Park will have more trails to hike, more campgrounds and picnic areas for their families to enjoy, and incredible mountain views to behold.”
“We are so grateful to have this addition to Hanging Rock State Park,” said Superintendent Robin Riddlebarger. “We look forward to the opportunities these lands will provide for not only visitors to our park, but for water quality protection and conservation.”
NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund provided the funding for the new property.
The lands feature wide-open grasslands with sweeping views of “Three Sisters,” “Sheeprock,” and Flat Shoals Mountain.
“Hanging Rock has become a major tourism draw for Stokes County, and visitation to the park keeps rising,” said Division of Parks and Recreation Director Dwayne Patterson. “This new land is critical to ensure our visitors continue to have the high-quality, educational, and memorable experience they have come to expect from North Carolina’s state parks.”
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