Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area, Hiddenite

Great county park for hiking and rock climbing. Hat tip to Alexander County this park rivals many State Parks in quality. The place is impeccably maintained with well marked trails. We did the prison camp trail which claims to be a hike passing the former site of inmate housing. We did not see any relics foundadions or locations along the hike that looked like they were former inmate housing. Nevertheless it is a really nice moderate 1 mile out 1 mile back hike - just don't expect to see any remains of a prison camp. We also did the Buzzard Loop trail which they say is an easy to moderate trail. While it is short in distance you do have a good vertical assent along the bald face of the granite dome. I would say it is a moderate hike not necessarily easy for the young, elderly or those not comfortable navigating that type of terrain.

The natural beauty of the Rocky Face Mountain in Alexander County NC has been an unofficial hiking, repelling & rock climbing destination for years, but is now an official park with park ranger staffing. There are numerous trails around the mountain, Picnic Shelter with public restrooms and water fountains to fill your water bottles. There is also a Meeting Space with a lot of historical documentation of the days when the granite of Rocky Face Mountain was quarried, the reason for the cliff so popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Do not miss it.