Excerpted from Great Adventures in North Carolina , by Lynn Setzer

Several North Carolina state parks offer good rock climbing. If you climb in a state park, be aware that all climbers must register before starting. Climbing areas are unsupervised, and climbers must stay on marked hiking trails and routes in order to get to the rocks. Climbers are not allowed to camp at the rocks, but are encouraged to camp at designated sites. Finally, park staff do not establish or maintain climbing routes or install or maintain fixed anchors, so safety is ultimately the responsibility of each climber.

Hanging Rock
Hanging Rock State Park is home to Moore's Wall, one of the best-known rocks in North Carolina. The park is located about 30 miles north of Greensboro. Most of Moore's Wall is inside the park, but a major access trail to the rock crosses private property.

Hanging Rock State Park

Pilot Mountain
Located in the upper Piedmont of North Carolina is Pilot Mountain, about 25 miles from Winston-Salem off U.S. 52. The dome, which you can see from the surrounding countryside, is a National Natural Landmark. Forty-nine campsites are available in the park, and each site has a tent pad, table, and grill. You can also take advantage of two washhouses with hot showers. Climbers have identified 84 different routes.

Stone Mountain
This park is located not too far from Elkin. From Interstate 77, take U.S. 21 north. Turn onto SR 1002; turn right on John P. Frank Parkway to enter the park. Climbers enjoy Stone Mountain because it offers 600 feet of granite face. The rock is convenient to camping and the parking area. Camping is primitive. Stone Mountain has 23 identified routes.

Plenty of lines on Stone Mountain

Crowder's Mountain
Just west of Gastonia off U.S. 29 and U.S. 74 is Crowder's Mountain State Park. Because it is farther south than the other three parks, it is a popular winter climbing spot. Its location near Charlotte means Crowder's Mountain can become crowded. Be aware that the park does close at sunset and that all climbers must be off the mountain at this time. Crowder's Mountain has 31 identified routes.

National Parks and Forests
Linville Gorge Wilderness in Pisgah National Forest is home to some great climbing rocks. In addition to Table Rock (which is where I climbed), Hawksbill and Shortoff mountains are both located on the eastern side of the gorge, off NC 181. Other places in Pisgah National Forest include Looking Glass Rock, located seven miles from Brevard, and Devil's Courthouse, at milepost 422 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Back to Introduction: Rock Climbing at Table Rock

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Explore the Southeast! North Carolina Getaways - Cruise past glittering waterfalls and scale gnarly granite. Florida Frolics - Leave Disney in your wake as you sail and fish off the coast of Florida. Wild West Virginia - Learn what all the fuss is about in the East's most rugged wildlands.

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