Chimney Rock State Park

Trails Status

Hiking Trails

Open

Chimney Rock attraction is open Friday through Monday by reservation only.

Bike Trails

Closed

Hours

Contact

Events

Activities

Trails

Facilities

Education

About the Park

Map of North Carolina with a star indicating the location of Chimney Rock State Park

Located in Rutherford County 25 miles southeast of Asheville, Chimney Rock State Park offers some of North Carolina's most dramatic mountain scenery, overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. Visit the fee-based Chimney Rock attraction, hike to Hickory Nut Falls and take an elevator or climb to the top of the park's namesake, a 315-foot freestanding rock spire. It also has the most facilities, including riverside areas, interpretive exhibits, and gift shops. The free Rumbling Bald access provides a more rugged backcountry experience.

Camping

There are no camping facilities at Chimney Rock. The closest state park with camping is Lake James State Park.

Chimney Rock

Note: Admission fees are charged at the Chimney Rock attraction.

  • Hiking (3.5 miles)
  • Fishing
  • Picnicking
  • Concession stand
  • Restaurants
  • Amphitheater and classroom
  • Pavilion and picnic shelter
  • Exhibits

Rumbling Bald

  • Hiking (1.5 miles)
  • Rock climbing
  • Picnicking
  • Primitive restrooms

Rumbling Bald is free to access.

Eagle Rock

  • Access closed until further notice

Plan Your Visit

Tab/Accordion Items

Address

743 Chimney Rock Park Road, Chimney Rock, NC 28720

GPS: 35.4327, -82.2502

Current Weather

28720 Chimney Rock, NC

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Purchase admission tickets for the attraction in advance

Address

827 Boys Camp Road, Lake Lure, NC 29746

GPS: 35.4434, -82.2194

Current Weather

29746 Lake Lure, NC

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Park Only in Designated Areas

In order to preserve the beauty of our parks, we would like to remind visitors to please park only in designated areas. Parking along the grass, along road shoulders, and in front of parking signs causes congestion, damages access areas, and could result in a parking citation. Please respect our resources so that they may be conserved for future visitors.

Closed until further notice

Park Map (PDF)

Caution in Waterfall Areas

Please follow safety rules and encourage others to do the same when you are near waterfall areas.

Fees

Admission fees are charged per person at the Chimney Rock attraction. There is no fee to access Rumbling Bald for day-use. Fees are charged for group climbing, certain event permits, and facility reservations.

Pets

Pets are allowed at the park, except they are not permitted inside buildings or in the elevator at the Chimney Rock attraction. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.

Park Hours

Tab/Accordion Items

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 visit@chimneyrockpark.com for questions regarding those topics.

The Chimney Rock attraction is currently open Friday through Monday by reservation only. Please plan accordingly. 

**The exact dates of when seasonal hours and pricing change vary annually — they usually happen the first week of January, the first week of March, and the first week of November. If you are planning on visiting on these weeks, please make sure you visit the Chimney Rock attraction website to see the correct ticket price and hours for the exact day you are visiting.

MonthGate HoursTicket Sales and Admission
January**10 a.m. to 6 p.m.end at 4:30 p.m.
February10 a.m. to 6 p.m.end at 4:30 p.m.
March**8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.end at 5:30 p.m.
April8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.end at 5:30 p.m.
May8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.end at 5:30 p.m.
June8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.end at 5:30 p.m.
July8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.end at 5:30 p.m.
August8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.end at 5:30 p.m.
September8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.end at 5:30 p.m.
October8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.end at 5:30 p.m.
November**8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.end at 4:30 p.m.
December8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.end at 4:30 p.m.
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Chimney Rock access is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

The access is open during all other holidays.

This access is free for day-use. 

MonthHours
January8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Febuary8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
June8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
July8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
August8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
October8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Both Rumbling Bald and Eagle Rock accesses are closed on Christmas Day.

This access is open during all other holidays.

Education

Ecology & History

Videos

Field Trips

Learning Materials

Additional Links

Scheduled Events at Chimney Rock State Park

Park staff lead regularly scheduled interpretive programs that allow the public to gain perspective into what makes North Carolina state parks naturally wonderful. Learning opportunities are available for all ages. Most events are free, though some may require pre-registration.

Host Your Event at the Park

Make your special occasion naturally wonderful. State parks are great places for birthday parties, reunions, weddings, and more. Learn more about event permits and fees on the Facilities page.

Park Rules

Jobs

News

Park Planning

Friends of State Parks

Friends of State Parks is a nonprofit citizen organization supporting, promoting, and advocating for the North Carolina State Parks system as a whole. The group helps provide funding for Junior Ranger and Youth in Parks – Environmental Education programs, as well as grants for state parks projects.

Photo Gallery

Top: Fall color at Chimney Rock, staff photo

Gallery: Hickory Nut Falls from Chimney Rock Village, by K. Johnson  |  Exclamation Point Trail stairs, by K. Bonifacio  |  Lake Lure from Rumbling Bald Trail, by T. Johnson  |  Sunrise at World's Edge, by S. Tillotson