Chimney Rock State Park » Welcome!
Construction Projects/Improvements Begin December 5th; Chimney Rock Access Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
... details ±Construction Projects/Improvements Begin December 5th
In order for Chimney Rock to remain the premiere core attraction for this unique North Carolina State Park, it will undergo construction beginning December 5 to improve accessibility and upgrade some of its trails. In addition, the public bathrooms located in the top parking lot and at the Meadows will receive ADA-based renovations so that all persons may utilize these services. Finally, the elevator and Sky Lounge remain closed as we complete the upgrades to both facilities. We greatly appreciate your patience and support as we work to enhance your experience.
Over the winter, a section of the Outcroppings, the trail that leads from the parking lot to the Chimney area, will be replaced providing easier access to the Chimney and points of interest above like the Opera Box, Devil’s Head and Exclamation Point. The section to be replaced begins above Pulpit Rock and continues down to Moonshiner's Cave. After construction, the new trail and stairway will accommodate more guests and offer better egress from the Chimney area. Without a required secondary egress, the elevator will be out of service during Outcroppings construction making the Chimney inaccessible over the winter.
Areas of the park that remain accessible throughout improvements include: Hickory Nut Falls trail, Cliff Dwellers Gifts and Meadows area including the Great Woodland Adventure, Four Seasons trail, Grady’s Animal Discovery Den, Classroom on the Meadows and the covered picnic pavilion. Chimney Rock is also planning a variety of programs and events to enhance guest experience during improvements.
Additional projects are planned over the next several months that will impact the availability of popular park features. Weather during this time of the year can also impact park operations. Visit this site and call the park office for the most current information when planning your trip to Chimney Rock.
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Chimney Rock Access Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays Starting December 6th
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting December 6, and these closures will continue through Spring 2012.
Please call ahead before planning your visit to the park. Call the park office at (828) 625-1823 before traveling to the park for up-to-date weather information and a list of trail, building, and feature closures.
Updated: 2012-02-02 13:05:39
Seasonal Job Posting; Round Top Mountain Area Park Lands
... details ± Chimney Rock State Park is hiring a seasonal General Utility Worker for $7.25 per hour. Evening and weekend work is required. Job duties include custodial, janitorial, landscaping, data collection, and public contact work. State job applications (PD-107) should be submitted to the state park office by February 10. Call the office at 828-625-1823 for more information.
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At this time, there is no designated parking area or public access for state park property located on Round Top Mountain. Also, there are no designated hiking trails in this area. Visitors are cautioned not to trespass and not to park on the private property adjoining these lands.
Presently, there is not a designated camping area at Chimney Rock State Park. Rock climbing and bouldering are currently only allowed at the Rumbling Bald Climbing Access where climbers may park in the designated parking area located off Boys Camp Road.
Updated: 2012-02-02 13:06:23
Address: PO Box 220, Chimney Rock, NC 28720
GPS coordinates:
35.432799, -82.250260
Office Phone: 828-625-1823
828-625-9945
Email: chimney.rock@ncdenr.gov In 2005, the N.C. General Assembly authorized a new state park in the scenic Hickory Nut Gorge area of western Rutherford and the surrounding counties of Polk, Henderson and Buncombe. The unit was designated as Chimney Rock State Park shortly after the state had acquired Chimney Rock Park, a private nature park surrounding the striking 315-foot spire on the gorge’s southern side.
The Chimney Rock area of the state park is operated by a private contractor and is open throughout the year. Entry fees offset the cost of operating this popular tourist destination. Currently, Chimney Rock and the Rumbling Bald Climbing Access are the only public accesses within the greater Chimney Rock State Park. However, the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation will eventually develop other areas of the state park with more traditional park facilities and recreation.
The greater Chimney Rock State Park currently encompasses roughly 4,500 acres on both north and south sides of the gorge and expansion efforts continue to bring more of the gorge’s rich natural resources into conservation.
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park has been a tourist destination in western North Carolina since a simple stairway was built to the rock’s summit in 1885. In 1902, Lucius B. Morse of Missouri bought the site. The Morse family developed park facilities including a tunnel and elevator to the rock summit, nature center and a network of hiking trails to geologic points of interest including the 404-foot-tall Hickory Nut Falls.
Please click here to link to the site of Chimney Rock(www.chimneyrockpark.com)to plan your exploration of one of North Carolina’s most unusual natural wonders.
The park's master plan was recently completed. Please click the link on the left to view the master plan.