One of our favorite family hikes is to the Lower Cascades Falls at Hanging Rock State Park located in Stokes County, North Carolina. Hanging Rock State Park is located in Danbury and Westfield, NC. Hanging Rock State Park is about 45 minutes from Winston-Salem, 1 hour and 15 minutes from Greensboro, about 2 hours from Charlotte, and about 2 hours and 10 minutes from Raleigh, NC. No matter where you are coming from, once you get into Stokes County, the drive into Hanging Rock State Park through the town of Danbury, NC is very beautiful and serene.
The trail for the Lower Cascades Falls begins at the Lower Cascades parking lot located at 2143 Hall Road, Westfield, NC (**Tip: Make sure you put this address in your GPS before you hit Danbury as you will lose cell signal).
It is a family and pet friendly hike that is relatively short (0.4 miles one way) and moderate in intensity (with steep downward wooden and stone stairs, which makes the hike back a little strenuous) with a beautiful waterfall at the end that makes the whole hike worth while. The gravel and dirt hiking path consists of mature trees that provide shade the whole way through.
Beginning of the trail 
Beginning of the wood stairs down to the waterfall 
Bridges before you descend the stone stairs to the waterfall
Not only does the waterfall make the hike worth while, but the water makes a pool at the base of the waterfall and forms a swimming hole. This makes it a popular place to cool off in the hot months of the year. It can get crowded for these reasons. So if you want to get good photos of the waterfall without a lot of people in them, you need to visit early in the morning.
It is easy to spend several hours cooling off in the crisp waters of the creek and listening to the peaceful sounds of the waterfall. People also like to bring their pets along to also enjoy the beautiful surroundings. This is definitely a hidden gem and a must do hike if you are in the area. Even if you aren’t a local it’s worth checking out if you love hiking or waterfalls. Comment below if you have ever been to this waterfall and if you know any other similar hidden gems.
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