Passport Ride: Hanging Rock State Park

Originally Published in Southeastern Rider Magazine, February 2017


This is the first in a series of articles of my, and my favorite riding partner’s, trips to fill up our North Carolina State Park Passport.

Our Loop Ride from Locust to Hanging
Rock State Park. Map complements of
Microsoft's Streets & Trips.
Shortly after moving into our new home in North Carolina, we made our way to a state park. We are lucky that Morrow Mountain State Park is less than thirty minutes away. We were impressed with the Stanly County Park, and soon found out that is a frequent destination for two wheel travelers. We also knew that it couldn’t be the only state park that is a great destination.

So on a July day, with the skies full of Carolina Blue, we headed north. Our journey out of Locust started on Bethel Church Road, heading east to Coley Store Road. We had planned a two hundred mile route, and wanted to allow time for the park to make a good impression, so we had started early in the a.m. The air rushing passed us as we covered these county roads was losing it’s crispness, as the sun was already beginning to make it warm.
After a jog to the right, we continued through Ridgefield on CR 1134.  The road eventually picks the name Millingport Road, and further down the pavement, takes you through the small town bearing the same name. In between the small burgs dotting this area are rolling hills of wild land. The vast areas of green are only broken by large stands of trees. Small streams wind through the country side, sometimes kissing the roadway, and then veering off into the distance. Speaking of curves, there is not many sections of the road that are straight around here. I, and my riding partner, Kasey, wore big grins concealed by our helmets.
The next major town was Richfield, were we would take State Road 49 east out of town. State Road 8 joins up with this road to cross the north end of Badin Lake. On the other side of the water is Uwharrie National Forest on the right. State Road 8 veers back off, as we stay on SR 49.
It was time to head north again, as Hanging Rock State Rock Park is near the Virginia Border. Our journey was marked by passing through Thomasville, a furniture capital, signified by a large chair in the middle of town. The town drew our thoughts, as we wanted to remember it as a destination for another trip.
We continued on SR 109 until Winston-Salem. Like a lot of North Carolina towns, you could tell at one time this was really a bustling town. Thought it might have missed a step as tobacco use was cut down, the town seems to be holding on pretty well. As we switched over to US 311, we could see the cigarette branded buildings standing as monuments to King Tobacco.
We make our way north on US 311 through Walkertown and Walnut Cove. US 311 takes a turn east, so we take a left to continue north, now on NC 89. The Dan River draws close to road at the town of Danbury. It is one of those places, that being near a state park, offers all the amenities you need to camp and enjoy the outdoors.
The lake at Hanging Rock State Park offers boating, fishing
and nice beach for swimming.
Speaking of the Park, it was just a few miles more, and we were trekking down the lane to the natural sanctuary. It’s sometimes hard to know when you are in a North Carolina Park as there are not always entrance gates, and no fees to enter. We passed the lane for the campgrounds, and the trees opened revealing a beautiful lake. We continued up a hill to large parking area. Between the trees were paths, picnic tables and shelters. We cruised a loop around the parking lot, and decided we need more information about this place.
Another pass of the lake, and then down the road to another large parking area that serves the park office. The trail head for Hanging Rock starts here, too, so the lot was crowded.
Make sure that after you get your passport stamped at the
office that you venture our back to check out the view.
After a tour of the park office, and picking up our North Carolina Passport, we ventured on to the back deck to enjoy the view. It was a quiet a view, too! Kasey and I both agreed it was worthy of a return visit, as well as more time to enjoy the amenities.
We took a left out of the park heading towards the town of Moores Spring. The road is also known as NC 66, and after going through the town of Moores Spring, it bends south.
Route 66 took us south back into the greater Winston-Salem Area. We joined up with US 52. I always chuckle a bit when we are on this road since I have traveled so much of US 52 six hundred miles away in Indiana. We decided to get a little bit more flavor of town, and made our way through on Peters Creek Parkway. We stopped off at a Cookout for a bite to eat. Nothing special, but it’s a new chain for us, and I actually enjoy it.
Eventually, the parkway becomes SR 150, and carries us further south, and nearer to home. Once out of town, and back into the country, we marvel once again at the rolling hills. As the day had passed, the sky had gained some light, wispy clouds. Don’t get me wrong, Mother Nature had given us a great day to have our knees in the breeze.
We avoided Interstate 85 by taking SR 29 along the super slab through Yadkinville and Spencer. We rode along the Transportation Museum in Spencer, and marveled that it could be yet another future destination.  We pulled into Salisbury, and then turned south on US 52 once again. Here the US Highway is a two lane stretch through the country side.
County Road 2385 drew us closer to home. We veered onto CR 1006 headed toward Mount Pleasant. The road took on this town’s name, and led us to County Road 200 North. Taking a left headed us south back into Locust.
Pulling into the driveway at the end of a day is always bittersweet. We were refreshed by what we had seen, and yet already longing to see it again, and take more time to take it in. As is often the case when a state park is your destination, it often comes close to equaling the journey.
For more information:
North Carolina Parks & Recreation: http://www.ncparks.gov/

To read more of my motorcycle stories, you can check out my Motorcycle Blog at www.Blogspot.RodneysMCBlog.com






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