Best Campgrounds near Elon, NC

Hanging Rock State Park Camping Review – A Beautiful Stay with a Few Bumps

Our recent camping trip to Hanging Rock State Park was a wonderful family getaway packed with adventure, scenic views, and quality time outdoors. Overall, it was a positive experience, and we’re glad we chose this park for our camping weekend—though there were a few things to note for future campers.

Trails and Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The hiking trails at Hanging Rock are absolutely top-notch! We explored several of them, including the trail up to Hanging Rock itself, and were blown away by the panoramic views from the summit. The trails were well-marked, maintained, and offered a good variety for all skill levels. Our kids (ranging from early elementary to preteen) managed the trails with some effort but plenty of enthusiasm. The waterfall hikes were especially fun, and the swimming area near the lake looked like a great spot to cool off in the summer months.

Campsite Experience (Campsite #50): ⭐⭐⭐ We stayed at Campsite 50, and while it was in a nice wooded area with plenty of shade and a decent amount of privacy, the tent pad was smaller than expected. We brought a 10-person tent, and it was a tight fit. If you’re camping with a large group or family and have a bigger tent, be aware that this site might not give you as much room as you’d like. It’s doable, but just barely. That being said, the fire ring and picnic table were in good condition, and the site had a peaceful atmosphere with lots of birdsong in the mornings.

Bathroom and Shower Facilities: ⭐⭐ The bathrooms were a mixed bag. On the plus side, the showers had hot water, which was a very welcome amenity after a day on the trails. However, the women’s bathroom was unfortunately in rough shape. It was infested with bugs, and clearly in need of a deep cleaning. Some basic maintenance and pest control would go a long way in improving the comfort and cleanliness of this area. The men’s facilities seemed to be in slightly better shape, but the park would really benefit from more consistent upkeep in this area overall.

Family Fun Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Despite the bathroom issue, the kids had a blast! From spotting salamanders near the creek to pretending they were mountain explorers on the trails, they were thoroughly entertained the whole trip. The variety of natural features—from cliffs and ridgelines to waterfalls and forests—gave them so much to discover and enjoy. Campfire stories and s’mores at night were the cherry on top.

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Final Verdict: 4/5 Stars Hanging Rock State Park offers stunning trails, gorgeous views, and a great place to unplug and enjoy nature. The campsite was mostly great, though the tent pad at #50 was a bit cramped for a larger tent. The bathrooms could use some serious attention, especially the women’s side, but the natural beauty and family fun made up for the shortcomings. With a little maintenance improvement, this park would be a near-perfect destination for camping families and outdoor lovers alike.

We’d definitely come back—but next time, we’ll choose a different site or bring a slightly smaller tent!

My fiance and I camped out a little longer than the actually extension period for individuals, but never had a problem. Several others have showed up to camp out a couple days but were gone shortly. For the most part it was just us. And whatever it is running around in the woods. I heard many coyotes elks and a an owl but nothing never stumbled to our campsite close enough to get a look at it other than one young fox which was running away when we pulled in one late night. I think the animals are aware that the campground is human territory so they stay away. It's at 10 different spots to set up with your car parked right next to your tent. Our Boost mobile wi-fi worked perfectly fine. There is a lake 2 mins away one way and another 7 mins away the other way. The city dump is also 2 mins away. And town is 5 mins away. I wish the gates never closed because we would still be there.

Whenever a few friends and I want to do a quick overnighter to hang out or test gear, we go to Shinleaf. It's in a convenient location, right off of Hwy 98 on New Light Rd. The campsites aren't very far apart from each other. But if you choose any of the campsites off of any of the "leafs" (not in the main gravel path), you will find more solitude and not have many daily walkers or trail runners coming down the leafs of the campground since they mainly stick to the main path. Every campsite here has a fire ring and picnic table for convenience, and you can bring in a few bundles of firewood or cut up some of the dead fall trees that are in your campsites general area. Shinleaf is great for the family or just a quick night or two outdoors. Oh, and bring a fishing rod if you have a fishing license. You can fish from many of the "leaf" campsite spots.