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Explore North Carolina’s beautiful state parks with Hike NC!

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Hanging Rock State Park
Hanging Rock State Park

One of the things I love most about living in North Carolina is the incredible natural beauty of our state — from beaches to mountains, and everything in between — offering countless opportunities to get outdoors and be active. And helping us do that is our outstanding state park system, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

On the Hike NC! website, you can see a list of available hikes, organized by region.
On the Hike NC! website, you can see the available hikes, organized by region. Choose from Easy, Moderate and Strenuous levels.

As you know if you’ve followed my blog for a while, I love visiting parks across the state and going hiking with my family. So I was really excited to be invited to participate in a new initiative called Hike NC! by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). Note: I received a travel voucher for my participation. All opinions are my own.

BCBSNC is partnering with the North Carolina State Parks system and others to offer Hike NC!: more than 60 guided hikes this fall and winter.

Hike NC! aims to makes hiking an easier, more approachable experience for North Carolinians across the state. Hikes are free, family-friendly and open to all ages and levels. Each hike is led by a trained guide, making it easier for participants to enjoy the outdoors and explore some of the best natural beauty North Carolina has to offer.

Hike NC! is the next chapter of BCBSNC’s Get Outside North Carolina (GO NC!) community program, which was created in 2012 to encourage North Carolinians to get outside and be active.

The first step in planning your hike is to go to the Hike NC! website and click on “Find Your Hike.” From there, you can choose the region you’d like to visit, and view descriptions of the hikes and parks.

My hike: Indian Creek Trail at Hanging Rock State Park

I decided on the Indian Creek Trail at Hanging Rock State Park, which is listed in the Triad section of the Hike NC! website. Hanging Rock is one of my favorite parks in the state. It has so much to offer, it’s like several parks in one! There are waterfalls, a lake, river, creeks, a mountain top to stand on with incredible views, camp sites and more. With some 15 trails to choose from, there is definitely something for everyone at Hanging Rock.

When you go, I recommend making your first stop the Visitor’s Center. There you can get a map and the staff can help with directions.

Here’s a photo tour of my hike on the Indian Creek Trail, a mostly wooded path that features two waterfalls and ends at the Dan River.

The Indian Creek Trail features two waterfalls
The Indian Creek Trail features two waterfalls, Window Falls and Hidden Falls.
A picnic area is located near the trail entrance, which is convenient to the main parking lot and Visitor's Center.
A picnic area is located near the trail entrance, which is convenient to the main parking lot and Visitor’s Center.
The trail starts out wide and relatively flat.
The trail starts out wide and relatively flat.

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You’ll walk a downward slope going toward the waterfalls.

Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock State Park
Overlook

Hanging Rock State Park

Stairs to waterfall
Stairs to waterfall

Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock State Park
You can get up close to many of the waterfalls at Hanging Rock.
After the waterfalls, you can choose to walk the remainder of the trail, which ends at the Dan River. Or, you could choose drive around the outside of the park that end of the trail and park there.
After the waterfalls, you can choose to walk the remainder of the trail, which ends at the Dan River. Or, you can drive around the outside of the park to that end of the trail and park there.
Canoe access and a small parking area at the Dan River, where the Indian Creek Trail ends.
There is a canoe access and a small parking area at the Dan River, where the Indian Creek Trail ends.
Dan River at the canoe access
Dan River at the canoe access
Dan River at the canoe access
Dan River at the canoe access
The Indian Creek Trail at the Dan River end
The Indian Creek Trail at the Dan River end
The Indian Creek Trail at the Dan River end
The Indian Creek Trail at the Dan River end

Visit gohikenc.com to find a hike near you!

 

© Michelle Rogers, Inc.

 

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About Michelle Rogers

I'm a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Health Coach, Certified Group Fitness Instructor, and a Senior Fitness Specialist. Visit my fitness services website!

With God, all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26