"Talk to the Animals" this Month at Chimney Rock State Park

June 1 - 30, 2016    Family Animal Encounters   Meet some of Grady the Groundhog’s woodland friends or possibly the birds of prey, a Red-tailed hawk and Great Horned Owl. 


A Park naturalist will explain each animal’s role in our ecosystem, how they came to live at the park and lessons on what we can do to help protect wildlife. 

photo courtesy www.blueridgenow,com

Animal Encounters meet at Grady’s Animal Discover Den Monday through Friday and at the Outdoor Classroom on Saturday and Sunday. Afterward, grab a Track Trail brochure at Grady’s Den and take a hike along the Great Woodland Adventure trail with 12 interactive education stations.  

Find information about lodging and local information on our Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide.

 

Chimney Rock State Park Honors Grandparents this Weekend

September 12 - 13, 2015    Grandparents Day Special at Chimney Rock State Park    Grandparents love spending time with the grandkids. What better way to spend time together than at Chimney Rock? 

When you purchase one regularly-priced adult admission, receive one youth admission free. Click here to download this special coupon. Coupon must be presented to the Ticket Plaza at the time of purchase. Valid September 12 and 13, 2015 only. 

Chimney Rock State Park - Standing atop Chimney Rock, a 500 million-year-old giant granite monolith overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge, visitors are awed by the breathtaking view that spreads 1200 vertical feet beneath them and 75 miles across the Carolinas. 

The state owned park, located in Chimney Rock North Carolina, encompasses 1,000 acres, including the Chimney itself and Hickory Nut Falls. 

The Park, located 25 miles southeast of Asheville North Carolina, offers a variety of experiences including 75-mile views, guided hikes and hiking trails for all ages, a 404-foot waterfall,  special events and nature programs, rock climbing, bird watching and more.  

Chimney Rock Elevator Reopens in Time for Peak Fall Colors

October 18, 2013  Chimney Rock State Park leaf peepers and hikers can get a boost to the top of the Chimney Rock to admire fall colors now that a power upgrade is completed and the elevator is open. The 26-story elevator inside the mountain provides convenient access to the Chimney for guests of all abilities and ages. During the temporary closure, visitors were able to access the Chimney via a 25-minute hike up the upgraded Outcroppings trail to enjoy the Park’s 75-mile scenic views overlooking Lake Lure.

photo copyright Jeff Miller - Chimney Rock in fall

“We’re fortunate that the State Parks division moved quickly to get the elevator’s power issues fixed just in time for all of our guests to enjoy stunning fall colors from atop Chimney Rock,” said Mary Jaeger-Gale, General Manager, Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park.

An additional power line was installed so that the elevator and Sky Lounge are now running on separate lines, reducing the risk of power interruptions to maintain consistent elevator service. The work was completed by Haynes Electric of Asheville, NC.

photo courtesy of Romantic Asheville

Fall Color Report Oct. 17: The drive to Chimney Rock NC  is gorgeous now. Fall color is spreading daily through the Park’s higher and middle elevations and at Rumbling Bald Access. Bursts of yellow are appearing in the Chestnut Oaks, hickories and locust trees, and especially the ash trees near the Chimney. The dogwoods are a vibrant maroon with sourwoods adding splashes of red. While there’s still plenty of green, with some more cool nights and sun, autumn colors should be good in the higher elevations by next week. Some autumn wildflowers are still blooming, including many asters and some snakeroot.    Get regular fall color updates for Chimney Rock State Park at: http://chimneyrockpark.com/visit/fallcolor.php.

Peak colors typically arrive at the Park’s higher elevations around mid-to-late October and spread down to the lower elevations through early November. Unique adventures to view fall colors include rock climbing with Fox Mountain Guides and an Old Growth Forest Hike at 11 a.m. October 19 and 26 that is included with Park admission.  Photographer enthusiasts should check out the Shutterbugs Nature Photography Workshop October 26-27 at Chimney Rock, and advance registration is required.

entrance to elevator

An Engineering Feat. The elevator originally opened in 1949 as the tallest in North Carolina. It took eight tons of dynamite to blast the Park elevator’s 258-foot-high shaft and 198-foot-long tunnel through solid granite. In 1988, all but the car of the original elevator was replaced.  During the 2010-12 modernization project every part of the elevator was replaced or upgraded with state-of-the-art equipment, including the original car. The elevator reopened on October 13 after being closed since the end of July 2013.

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is best known for its scenic hiking trails and 75-mile panoramic views overlooking Lake Lure. It was voted Favorite State Park and Best Beautiful Fall Foliage Spot by readers of Blue Ridge Country in the 2013 Best of the Southeast Mountains poll. Chimney Rock is located only 45 minutes southeast of Asheville on Highway 64/74A in Chimney Rock, N.C. Call (800) 277-9611 or visit chimneyrockpark.com. 

Park admission rates are $12 for adults, $6 for youth (ages 5-15) and free for kids under five. For fall visiting information and current fall colors, go to chimneyrockpark.com.

Back By Popular Demand - Movie on the Meadows at Chimney Rock Park

June 15    2nd Annual Movie on the Meadows: The Last of the Mohicans  watch The Last of the Mohicans on a huge outdoor screen where the last 17 min. were filmed. Invite your sweetheart or friends for an evening of fun, suspense and adventure. Bring a blanket or chair and a flashlight. Moviegoers should arrive from 7:30 to 8:30pm, movie starts at 9pm. Pre-show entertainment, concessions and movie merchandise will be offered.

Get a link for Movies on the Meadow and more information about Chimney Rock Park HERE.

Chimney Rock Park Offers Survival Skills Workshops

June 8   Survival Skills Workshop: Wild Edibles  (3 of 3 in this series) Abundant, nutritious edible plants grow in Western North Carolina each season, from berries and flowers to nuts and mushrooms. As you know, food and water are essential to wilderness survival.

Be prepared to hike “off the beaten path” for a couple hours identifying and learning about a variety of wild edibles, including a few you wouldn’t expect. Bring a water bottle, wear long pants and bring a rain coat just in case.

Learn more about Chimney Rock Park Events and local attractions and lodging on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide

Chimney Rock Park Re-opens Today after Road Safety Improvements

April 20, 2013 - Chimney Rock Park has announced that it will re-open today with road safety improvements completed. The NC Department of Transportation removed a large boulder that was identified as a safety hazard hanging over the main road.

“The safety of our guests and Park associates is of utmost importance. Now that the boulder has been dropped and cleared away, we’re happy to be able to welcome guests back just in time to celebrate Earth Day and enjoy the Park’s spring scenery and many wildflowers in full bloom. Our Carolina rhododendron, flowering dogwood and Silverbell trees are spectacular,” said Mary Jaeger-Gale, General Manager, Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State ParkCrews from DOT, which maintains roads within NC state parks, worked to break off a 4 to 5 ton section of a massive boulder that partially protruded over the road halfway between the Meadows and top parking lot. They used a combination of methods to remove the rock, including drilling holes to insert an expansion agent to crack the rock and blasting with explosives.

Special events will be held as planned. Guests can meet a State Park Ranger at State Parks Stewardship Day today from 11 AM - 3 PM on the Riverwalk behind the Old Rock Café in Chimney Rock Village. A guided spring wildflower walk by wildflower photographer Stephen Faucette will be offered to Park guests with advance registration from 1-3 PM.

The 3rd Annual Buzz on Bees will offer fun, educational activities about honeybees next Saturday, April 27, from 11 AM - 3 PM. For additional information on the Park, the latest report on what’s blooming and more upcoming events, visit chimneyrockpark.com.

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park has been one of the Southeast’s most iconic and popular travel destinations for more than 100 years. Beyond its stunning 75-mile views of Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge, Chimney Rock offers scenic hiking, rock climbing, Grady’s Animal Discovery Den and educational events year around. Chimney Rock Park is the only state park in the Southeast with an elevator inside a mountain. The park was featured in the classic movie, The Last of the Mohicans, which will be shown on a large outdoor screen at the 2nd Annual Movie on the Meadows on June 15.

Chimney Rock Park is located only 40 minutes southeast of Asheville on Highway 64/74 A in Chimney Rock NC.

Valentine Weekend at Chimney Rock Park

February 15 - 19  Rock Your Valentine with Chimney Rock’s Valentine’s Day Weekend Special. 

Nothing says "I love you" like a romantic day at Chimney Rock Park. That's why we're offering buy one regularly-priced adult ticket and get one free during our Valentine's Day special from February 15-19 (Friday-Tuesday).

Rekindle your love where the romantic adventure The Last of the Mohicans was filmed, and gaze at our 75-mile views overlooking Lake Lure where Johnny and Baby fell in love on the set of Dirty Dancing. Enjoy a quiet moment together in nature that you’ll never forget. Download the special coupon from Chimney Rock’s website.

Coupon must be presented to the Ticket Plaza at the time of purchase. Valid February 15-19, 2013. More details at chimneyrockpark.com.

Learn more about Chimney Rock Park on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide.

Chimney Rock Park Hosts Family Wellness Day

June 2   "On the Move" Family Wellness Day    For decades Chimney Rock Park has promoted hiking as a great way to stay fit and connect with nature. During the 2nd Annual Family Wellness Day both adults and children are encouraged to get “On the Move” at Chimney Rock and learn how to establish a healthier exercise routine and diet.

In conjunction with National Trails Day (June 2) there will be guided hikes, health screenings and lots of information on healthy living from many community partners.

Get a link for Chimney Rock Park and more local information on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide.

Chimney Rock's Outcropping Trail Re-opening a Big Hit with Visitors

Chimney Rock Park just reopened the Outcroppings trail on April 14 and the elevator grand reopening should be in the next couple months. There are countless wildflowers and plants in bloom, brightening the lush green Park with vibrant orange, red, blue and violet. Spring is one a beautiful time of the year at the Park, enhanced this year by the   new and improved amenities.

Outcroppings Trail Reopening: Park guests have marveled at and hiked the rebuilt Outcroppings Trail for the first time. Some of the comments are that it's more user- and dog-friendly, easier to hike and has even better views. There are lots of smiles, hikers catching their breath (for the views, of course), families having fun and even a couple victory shouts from the top of the Chimney. Once again visitors can  stretch their legs and admire views of the Gorge  from 2,480 feet at Exclamation Point, some 1,350 feet above the valley floor.

Chimney Rock Park has extended their thanks to NC State Parks, its supporters and the contractors, engineers, etc., who have been working hard on these improvements for years, from planning to execution.  They are also  'relieved' to announce that the rest rooms are completed and open again for use. They are now all handicap accessible and have new water-conserving fixtures. The Park muralist Clive Haynes returned last week to touch up the elaborate murals on the interior walls, and they're looking great.
The modernized elevator and Sky Lounge Gift Shop and; Deli are expected to reopen sometime in the next couple months.  If you want to be one of the first to ride the elevator, enter the Get Elevated (Again) contest, now with an extended deadline to May 16.  Win Annual Passes for your family, $200 in gift certificates and an "official first ride" on the elevator. The Park is looking for a family with a multi-generational connection to Chimney Rock to be among the first folks to ride our elevator when it officially reopens. A child, parent, grandparent – and even great-grandparent – from the winning family will be invited to ride the elevator at our grand reopening ceremony later this spring. The lucky family will also receive $200 in gift certificates for dining and retail in the Park and a free Annual Pass or one-year renewal for each immediate family member! Visit the Contest page to learn more and enter to win!

Get a link and learn more Bout Chimney Rock Park on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide