Trails
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, October 17, 2017 - 4:00pm
Saturday, October 21, 2017 - 9:00am
Monday, October 23, 2017 - 9:00am
Trail Half-Day Closure on October 17
The Hickory Nut Falls Trail will be closed on the morning of Tuesday, October 17. This will allow contractors to pour concrete for the stairs to connect the trail to the Outcroppings Trail. The estimated reopening time is 12:00 pm.
Please contact state park office with any questions at 828-625-1823 or chimney.rock@ncparks.gov.
Posted on: Monday, October 16, 2017 - 10:34am Chimney Rock Half-Day Closure on October 23
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park will be be closed on the morning of Monday, October 23. Helicopter flights have been scheduled to place steel beams for the connector stairs between the Hickory Nut Falls and Outcroppings trails. The estimated reopening time is 12:00 pm.
Please contact state park office with any questions at 828-625-1823 or chimney.rock@ncparks.gov.
Posted on: Monday, October 16, 2017 - 10:34am Elevator Out of Service Until Project's End
The elevator has been experiencing ongoing operational issues, so it will be out of service until the current repair project is completed. The project will install a new motor and computer control system so that service can be safely restored to the public. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Please note that visitors can still access the top of Chimney Rock by climbing the staircases of the Outcroppings Trail. This 0.2-mile trail leads hikers through a rugged boulder field with dramatic views of Lake Lure, Hickory Nut Gorge, and Chimney Rock itself.
Trails
Chimney Rock State Park offers eight trails for hikers to explore. Six of these trails are located within the fee-based Chimney Rock access. The two free trails include, the Rumbling Bald Climbing Area off Boys Camp Road, and the Riverwalk Trail located in Chimney Rock Village.
Exclamation Point Trail
Location: Chimney Rock Access
Description: Accessing the top of Hickory Nut Gorge, the Exclamation Point Trail connects zigzagging paths with staircases to bring hikers to the edge of Exclamation Point at 2,480 feet.
Point of Interest: Opera Box, Devil's Head, Exclamation Point
Length:
0.60 miles
Round Trip
0.60 miles
Round Trip
Difficulty:
Strenuous
Strenuous
Blaze:
Four Seasons Trail
Location: Chimney Rock Access
Description: A steady tromp through the hardwood forest and past picturesque boulders gives hikers many opportunities to view the natural flora and fauna of the park.
Point of Interest:
Length:
1.40 miles
Round Trip
1.40 miles
Round Trip
Difficulty:
Strenuous
Strenuous
Blaze:
Great Woodland Adventure Trail
Location: Chimney Rock Access
Description: A child-friendly interpretive trail, the Great Woodland Adventure teaches hikers about the animal residents of Chimney Rock State Park through interactive sculptures and displays.
Point of Interest:
Length:
0.60 miles
One-way
0.60 miles
One-way
Difficulty:
Easy
Easy
Blaze:
Hickory Nut Falls Trail
Location: Chimney Rock Access
Description: Leading to the base of the fantastic 404-foot tall waterfall, the gently sloping trail hugs the side of Hickory Nut Gorge and grants dramatic views of the towering cliffs above.
Point of Interest: Hickory Nut Falls
Length:
1.40 miles
Round Trip
1.40 miles
Round Trip
Difficulty:
Moderate
Moderate
Blaze:
Outcroppings Trail
Location: Chimney Rock Access
Description: For those wishing to climb to the top of Chimney Rock itself, the Outcroppings Trail offers a series of staircases and lookout points threaded through a near-vertical boulder field.
Point of Interest: Vista Rock, Grotto, Subway, Pulpit Rock, Chimney Rock
Length:
0.40 miles
Round Trip
0.40 miles
Round Trip
Difficulty:
Strenuous
Strenuous
Blaze:
Contact:
Chimney Rock State Park
743 Chimney Rock Park Rd
Chimney Rock, NC 28720Phone828-625-1823
chimney.rock@ncparks.gov
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park: 800-277-9611, visit@chimneyrockpark.com
Latitude: 35.439814
Longitude: -82.248554
Park Hours:
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park:
Operating Hours for Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park are subject to change throughout the seasons. Consult this website or chimneyrockpark.com for up-to-date information when planning your visit.
March 12-November 4: 8:30 am - 7:00 pm.
Ticket sales and admission end at 5:30 pm.
November 5-22: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm.
Ticket sales and admission end at 4:30 pm.
Closed Thanksgiving Day (November 23).
November 24-26: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm.
Ticket sales and admission end at 4:30 pm.
November 27-December 24: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.
Ticket sales and admission end at 4:30 pm.
Closed Christmas Day (December 25).
December 26-31: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.
Ticket sales and admission end at 4:30 pm.
Rumbling Bald Climbing Access:
January - February: 8am to 6pm
March - April: 8am to 8pm
May - August: 8am to 9pm
September - October: 8am to 8pm
November - December: 8am to 6pm
Closed December 25, Christmas Day.
There is no fee for this access.