Ringing Rocks County Park
4.6(2.2K)google
4.0(1)yelp
Hiking TrailKidsOutdoorFreeInteractiveHands-OnQuirkyRock FormationWaterfall
Overview
Ringing rocks, also known as sonorous rocks or lithophonic rocks, are rocks that resonate like a bell when struck. Examples include the Musical Stones of Skiddaw in the English Lake District; the stones in Ringing Rocks Park, in Upper Black Eddy, Bucks County, Pennsylvania; the Ringing Rocks of Kiandra, New South Wales; and the Bell Rock Range of Western Australia. Ringing rocks are used in idiophonic musical instruments called lithophones.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-2 hours
Best TimeBest visited between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM from April to October. This 7-acre open boulder field contains ancient diabase rocks that ring like bronze bells when struck; you must pack your own steel hammer or mallet in your car trunk as no tools are provided on-site; avoid storm days as wet boulders are treacherous. Morning crisp air ensures best climbing.
Getting ThereTucked away in the dense woods of Upper Black Eddy along Ringing Rocks Road. Car transit is mandatory: take the scenic river highway PA-32 N north from New Hope for 40 minutes, and turn left onto Ringing Rocks Road following the county park signs. The conservation trailhead features a free rustic gravel loop lot where a 0.4-mile wooded trail opens into the boulder field.
Travel Tips
- The boulder field will not reverberate if struck by hand or soft rocks; you must pack and bring your own steel claw hammer or geological hammer as no tool rentals exist on-site. Additionally, operating drones or unmanned aerial vehicles is strictly prohibited across the entire park acreage.
- The 1/4-mile access trail from the parking lot is riddled with exposed roots and loose scree, opening up to a boulder field with deep, hazardous chasms; ankle-supporting hiking boots are essential, and visitors must secure loose items like phones and car keys, which are impossible to retrieve if dropped between boulders.
- The on-site formal parking lot is extremely constrained with only 30-40 spaces; adjacent parking along Ringing Rocks Rd during peak weekend hours (10:00 AM - 3:00 PM) frequently incurs costly local law enforcement towing penalties. Plan arrivals prior to 8:00 AM to secure a legal space.
Reviews
Positive
- Striking the rocks with hammers to hear metallic ringing is a bizarrely fun experience, unique and well worth exploring.
- It preserves a pure, untamed natural tranquility with zero commercial interference, ideal for true nature enthusiasts.
- The park is entirely free to enter and parking costs nothing, making the value for money absolutely impeccable.
- The surroundings are lush and green; beyond the boulder field, there are decent light hiking trails leading to a nearby waterfall.
Heads up
- Facilities and maintenance are lacking; there are no flushing restrooms, only basic portable toilets, and too few trash cans.
- The boulder field lacks accessibility; it is nearly impossible for the elderly, toddlers, or disabled visitors to cross safely.
- Signage is poor; the path from the parking lot to the boulder field lacks clear directional markers, leading to confusion.
- If you don't bring your own hammer, there are no shops to rent or buy tools, which severely dampens the experience.