Hanging Rock, also known as Bear's Paw (Yonah‑wayah in Cherokee), is a mountain in the North Carolina High Country, next to the town of Seven Devils. It is along the Avery and Watauga border. Its elevation reaches . The mountain generates feeder streams for the Elk and Watauga rivers. In 2008, Bear Paw State Natural Area was established on the mountain by the North Carolina General Assembly. The High Country Conservancy acquired the initial for the state, and the park now encompasses . The natural area is located just north of Grandfather Mountain State Park, and it protects Hanging Rock Ridge and the headwaters of Dutch Creek. It is managed by Grandfather Mountain State Park. See also List of mountains in North Carolina References External links Bear Paw SNA Map by the Town of Seven Devils. Mountains of North Carolina State parks of North Carolina State parks of the Appalachians Mountains of Avery County, North Carolina Mountains of Watauga County, North Carolina Protected areas of Avery County, North Carolina Protected areas of Watauga County, North Carolina Nature reserves in North Carolina