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I think this is a relatively moderate hike up to the top – 499 steps to the top – which my 76 year old father and 69 year old mother managed just fine. The number one thing to do here is to climb to the top of the rock on the Chimney Rock hike. In 2006, the “World’s Edge” land was added to the park, making it a total of 1,568-acres. It was discovered by Lucius B. Morse who opened it as a private park in 1902.
The best of the mountains in one place.
It’s a moderate to strenuous hike that climbs up 400 feet through forest to the Hickory Nut Falls Trail. The park is also home to one of the highest waterfalls in North Carolina. The Hickory Nut Falls is 404 foot tall and features a balanced rock known as “Devil’s Head” at the summit of the falls. Some say the rock looks like the head of a devil, which is how it got its infamous name. Head up even higher along the Skyline Trail, which features the Park’s highest lookout, Peregrine’s Point, at 2,640 feet.
Park Hours
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.
About NC Tripping
This picturesque park lies in the little village of Chimney Rock, which is in Rutherford County. This gem-mining experience even offers gemstone cutting, so visitors can turn their finds into jewelry. About two hours northwest of Charlotte, Crabtree Emerald Mine has been used as an emerald provider for Tiffany Jewelers in New York City. This mine is obviously known for its emeralds, but also has sums of other minerals including quartz and mica. At Chimney Rock State Park, visitors can take a 26-story elevator inside a mountain to view its geology from the inside.
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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.
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Facilities at Chimney Rock State Park
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.
When is the Best Time to Visit Chimney Rock State Park?
Located less than two hours west of Charlotte, Chimney Rock State Park offers different hiking trails that can lead to many rockhounding opportunities. The Hickory Nut Falls Trail is a 0.7-mile one-way trail (1.4 miles round trip) that will lead you straight to the base of the waterfall. The hike is relatively moderate and doable for small children. There are multiple picnic benches and places to rest along the trail and enjoy the views. From an overlook point, the land falls away to provide views of the Piedmont. Transfer of the World's Edge tract to state ownership was completed in 2006.
As the name suggests, every seasonal hike here has a special highlight to offer. It’s also a great spot for trying to spot some local wildlife. This is the perfect pick for those interested in a venture into the more remote rugged terrain in Chimney Rock State Park.
Host Your Event at the Park
One, more strenuous than the other, is a climb up 500 manmade steps. The other, much more manageable, is an elevator ride to a shorter set of stairs of only 44. Chimney Rock State Park is set just southeast of the cultural city of Asheville. It’s nestled right on the edge of the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains within western North Carolina.
Exit the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 384.7 near Asheville onto Highway 74A East. Take Interstate 26 East toward Hendersonville to Exit #49A (Bat Cave and Highway 64 East). Stay on 64 East for 18 miles and the Park entrance will be on the right. Take Interstate 240 East to Exit #9 (Blue Ridge Parkway and Highway 74A East). Exit Biltmore and turn right onto US Highway 25 S (Hendersonville Road).
You can find the park by taking I-240 East, Highway 74A, or US Highway 64. If you are visiting the beautiful North Carolina lake, Lake Lure, you’ll want to visit Chimney Rock State Park too. We love that rockhounders can plan a trip to Charlotte and experience all of these different places and excursions without traveling too far outside of the city. Following the rains "we did a more thorough inspection of trails to ensure the safety of our visitors," he said.
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.
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.
They combine to create a mountain adventure experience that is postcard perfect. Though Chimney Rock is the crown jewel of the park, it slightly overcasts the other hidden gems that this park has to offer. There are several hiking trails and woodlands to explore, so don’t skip these other trails if you have more than half a day to explore the park.
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