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Try the Opera Box for one of the best vistas in the park, or the base of a waterfall for a more wet and wild experience. Scattered across the Chimney Rock access road, you’ll find many picnic tables and grills for enjoying a snack or a meal with a beautiful backdrop. Also, the entire Village of Chimney Rock is set right at the park’s base and offers its enticing array of adorable shops, cafes, and restaurants to try out. The two main areas on the entrance road will offer all of the facilities here. The Old Rock Cafe can be found right at the state park entrance.
Trails at Chimney Rock State Park
Only the first mile of trail is currently within Chimney Rock State Park property, so please be mindful of local rules and regulations. The trailhead is located at Rumbling Bald access, which is off Boys Camp Road, between Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. This trail, located inside the Chimney Rock attraction, is a child-friendly interpretive trail. It teaches hikers about the animal residents of Chimney Rock State Park through interactive sculptures and displays. Outdoor sculptures handcrafted by North Carolina artists represent all the cute creatures whose habitats are here.
Things to Do Near Chimney Rock State Park
Look for the public accesses next to the Old Rock Cafe and the village restrooms.This trail has a natural surface, gravel, paved areas, and stairs. Chimney Rock State Park offers 10 trails of varying difficulty, each with unique vistas and many opportunities to view flora and fauna. Six trails are located at Chimney Rock access, where visitors must pay a per person fee to enter. Four free trails are located at Rumbling Bald access, Eagle Rock access, and Chimney Rock Village. In addition, the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail runs through the park.
Upcoming Events
Chimney Rock State Park brings the best of the mountains together in one place. For immediate gratification, take the elevator to the top. This trail is primarily stairs with some segments of natural surface, including stone steps. As an alternative, visitors with limited mobility or disabilities can take the elevator to the Sky Lounge to get to the viewing areas at the base of Chimney Rock. This trail, located inside the Chimney Rock attraction, leads to the base of the fantastic 404-foot-tall waterfall.
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Restrooms are located at the Sky Lounge, the parking lot, and in the Meadows near the entrance. We recommend going before setting out on a trail, as there won’t be more bathroom facilities along the way. Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is a nature lover’s paradise with a collaboration of spectacular views and incredible hiking trails.
Ticket prices and operating hours for Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park are subject to change throughout the seasons. Chimney Rock Management LLC determines the prices, hours, and season schedule for the attraction; please contact them at for questions regarding those topics. Pets are allowed at the park, except they are not permitted inside buildings or in the elevator at the Chimney Rock attraction. Admission fees are charged per person at the Chimney Rock attraction. There are no fees to access Rumbling Bald and Eagle Rock for day-use.
The Rumbling Bald Climbing Access is a hidden gem in the states. It’s a world-class bouldering and technical rock climbing area and has over 1,500 bouldering problems for experienced boulderers to tackle. If you don’t have the energy to travel too far, there is a cafe at the park entrance called Old Rock Cafe, which is located near the gift shop, Cliff Dwellers Gifts.
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Purchase admission tickets for the attraction in advance
Check their online calendar full of upcoming excitements to see if there’s something that matches the time frame of your visit to Chimney Rock. Chimney Rock State Park often hosts seasonal and community events. This includes guided hikes, educational programs, and special happenings like the Llamapalooza, the Full Moon Series or Yoga at Sunrise. The lot has been recently renovated and provides convenient and safe parking with enough space for everyone.
From the top of Chimney Rock, you can take in a panoramic view of the North Carolina mountains, the Rocky Broad River, Hickory Nut Gorge, and much more. We had such a fun time in Pirate town, attending festivals, dancing the night away to live music, hiking, and kayaking with wild horses.Grateful to have a travel marriage. I`m not sure I`m the best hiking partner.With my long legs and fifth-gear-energy, I can only go fast.It`s actually painful for me to slow down.
We also love this experience for inexperienced rockhounders, and those with young families who have children with an interest in rocks, minerals and crystals. Many rare and unusual rocks and minerals have been found in this area including samarskite, uranophane, and hyalite opal. We love that this is a way for rockhounders to dig in an area that they know they will find some minerals, instead of having to venture into areas that might not have anything.
Visitors can take a swim or float on the water, build sandcastles, or picnic with family and friends. There are a few moderate uphill sections and a small set of stairs at the base of the falls, so we don’t suggest this for strollers or wheelchairs. This trail can be accessed only by hiking the Weed Patch Mountain Trail for about three-fourths of a mile. Eagle Rock access, located at 1911 Shumont Road in Black Mountain, is free to access, but there is currently limited parking.