Where is 40 acre rock

A simple poncho will suffice but a rain jacket and pants are also options. Read my article on hiking in the rain for a complete overview. Last, I recommend adequate hiking clothes.

Do not underestimate the value of a good pair of hiking pants! A non-cotton, moisture wicking shirt is ideal, especially when hiking in warmer weather. You can begin a hike from either the upper or lower parking lot. You can do a point-to-point hike as well if you have two vehicles available. Starting from the upper parking lot, go past the white gate and hike approximately.

You will know you are getting close to the large, exposed granite when you start seeing a few boulders. There will be a path of the left that allows you to hug the eastern side of the rock which leads to the path down to the waterfall, or stick to the main trail to continue to the center of the exposed granite.

Take time to enjoy the view. From here, you can head to the bottom left for the quickest access to the waterfall, or you can head to the lower right look for a cut-through in the trees. In this top half, you will see Cambridge Waterfall, a water slide, 2 caves, and a stream that the trail straddles. However, the waterfall and slide can run dry depending on how much rainfall the area has received. Note that the water slide is not for actual sliding!

One cave is at the waterfall and will be obvious. The second one is hard to see with the foliage out, but when the leaves are down it is visible. You will have to jump the stream to get to it. Eventually, you will come to the center of the figure 8. Here, either cut back sharply or continue to hike the entire trail. Sticking to the right of this intersection, you will come to a clearing with some powerlines.

The trail gets a little confusing here but take the path that heads to the tree line. Keep right and you will now be heading down the bottom-left side of the figure 8 trail. This will lead you down to the creek.

However, in the summer, this section can be extremely overgrown for this reason, wear pants over shorts! And the creek itself can get dry, making it a less appealing hike. You will soon come to a long bridge that has a few twists and turns and the pond on the left will begin to open up, signifying the end of the overgrown section.

After a barely noticeable climb, there will be an opportunity for a beautiful morning view overlooking the pond. Continue down the trail when you get done enjoying the scenery. After hiking along the pond briefly, you will come to a point where you will turn left or right. Turn right to go to the lower parking lot or left to head toward the upper parking lot. Heading back to the upper parking lot, you will once again cross an opening for powerlines.

This time it will be easier to follow as there is a bridge to stick to. After crossing back into the woods, you will come back to the center of the figure 8. One path is a steep climb back up to the exposed granite. You will be able to tell which is which.

Beautiful piece of land with creeks, small waterfalls and rocks that look like the craters on the moon. It was a great short trail! If you go to the right from Forty Acre rock it is a steep decline. Beware of broken glass on most of the trail. Pretty rock views w blue skies to reflect.

Also nice wetland views. Didn't see any critters, just 2 other people on whole double loop. The very first part of the trail is boring To either side of the rock is a trail that meanders past a couple waterfalls, a beaver damn pond and a couple streams.

It is very diverse terrain and parts of it are very steep and almost mountainous We were there on a Sunday morning and there were probably 10 other people out there-it was way more crowded when we left around 1.

The area in general is beautiful, the rock is unusual. The trails are minimally marked. Saw other people. The ones we asked, were also 1st time visitors. Will definitely go back. Very beautiful aside from the graffiti. Pretty easy hike. Saw families with kids. Trail was perfect for a afternoon hike. Had4 year old with me and he had a blast.

Trails not well marked. Half of Beaver Loop closed due to storm damage. Lots of graffiti on rocks. Loved this — the hike was not difficult and the end result was so unique! Like landing on the moon as others have said Wonderful trail! Hiked to rock and waterfalls! Felt like we were on the moon. Such a unique place! It was beautiful and there were not a lot of people. The trail was not marked once you left the rocks and we ended up going off the beaten path for a bit before realizing where we were.

It is a moderate hike and your legs will feel the burn! Kid friendly and they had a blast climbing up all the rocks. Awesome hidden trail! Very kid friendly. Only downfall was the loop entrance is hidden and there is quite a bit of graffiti. We had a blast as a family!

Rocky on some paths. Moderate is to put it nicely Off trail and in the back portions there are enormous, beautiful boulders. Take tape! Use Navigator in the AllTrails app and join the other outdoor explorers who have completed this trail. Forty Acre Rock Loop moderate Length 2. This moderately strenuous, out and back trail provides a unique break from the normal terrain of South Carolina.

Starting from the lower trailhead, you will wind through a sandy, high grass, but well marked section that is very easy to follow. You will pass through a thick forest, where you may see many different types of animals, such as Prairie warblers, indigo buntings, red-tailed hawks, vireos, cottontail rabbits, and deer.

Continuing along flat creek, you will come to a beaver pond, which is small, but full of water lilies and very colorful during the summer months. You will pass a small waterfall as you make the moderate climb to your destination, the vast opening on top of a huge standing rock called Forty Acre Rock. Though actually 14 acres, it is still a breathtaking site. During the spring, water collects in depressions and you will be treated to the sight of a variety of specialized plants such as lichens, mosses, sedum, and the endangered pool sprite.

Upon entering Lancaster from Hwy exit onto Bypass heading south, exit on Hwy, drive app. Reviews Sort by:. Evita Bodhi. October 11, Chris C. August 29, Scared…nobody is here…! Saw lots of Turkey Vulture on my way home!!! Ed Wilmot. August 24, Patricia Marqz. July 11, Kara Kindley. June 20, Hiking Bugs Over grown. Ed Humphrey. June 13, Hiking Great! Sebastian User. May 30, Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve in Lancaster County offers visitors one of those "on top of the world" experiences without having to brave nose-bleed heights.

The gigantic hunk of granite spans 14 acres with gently sloping sides that are easy to ascend from any direction. Standing at the crest of the rock, you can look out over the surrounding landscape where the Sandhills meet the Piedmont. It's a great view, even if the elevation gain is just feet.

The 2,acre preserve - a National Natural Landmark - features waterslides, waterfalls, a beaver pond, caves, hardwood and pine forests, a variety of wildflowers and wildlife and some honkin' big boulders.

A five-mile out-and-back trail winds through a thick forest that's home to Prairie warblers, tanagers, woodpeckers, indigo buntings, red-tailed hawks, vireos, cottontail rabbits, gray fox and deer. Add to that, nearly a dozen rare, threatened or endangered plant species, including nodding trillium and the green violet.

Starting from the lower trailhead, you'll pass by an impressive garden of boulders that looks like they were scattered about with no plan in mind.