Trails
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, September 8, 2019 - 1:00pm
Saturday, September 28, 2019 - 5:00pm
Rumbling Bald Parking Contruction
We are happy to announce that the Rumbling Bald Climbing Area parking lot is under expansion construction. There will be construction equipment and people in the area. Some of the parking spots may be blocked but every effort will be made to keep the parking lot open during construction. Please use caution and give those working plenty of room. Carpool as much as possible. The projected finish date is April. Thank you for your help and cooperation and if you have additional questions, please call the State Park office at 828-625-1823.
Last updated on: Friday, December 7, 2018 Job Opening - Seasonal Park Maintenance
Work Schedule: Typical schedule will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Seasonal employees may work a rotating schedule to include weekends and occasional evenings.
Job Duties: Clean facilities and grounds. Assist staff in general maintenance and repair of buildings, equipment and machinery. Assist staff in a variety of outdoor-based maintenance projects and daily park operations. Conduct natural resource management projects, such as invasive plant removal.
Eagle Rock Parking Open October 14, 2018
Due to land constraints, there is not sufficient space for adequate parking at Eagle Rock. Reserved parking areas allow access to sections of the park on a first-come-first-served basis through a free online reservation system. The state parks system recognizes the need for additional parking at this location and is working with community partners to provide improved parking in this area.
Click here to reserve a parking space at Eagle Rock. The parking reservation system is managed through Eventbrite.
Last updated on: Monday, October 22, 2018Trails
Chimney Rock State Park offers 10 trails for hikers to explore. Six of these trails are located within the fee-based Chimney Rock access. Four free trails are located at the Rumbling Bald access, the Eagle Rock Reserved Parking Area and 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:
743 Chimney Rock Park Road
Chimney Rock, NC 28720
828-625-1823
chimney.rock@ncparks.gov
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park:
800-277-9611
visit@chimneyrockpark.com
GPS: 35.439814, -82.248554
*CHIMNEY ROCK AT CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK:
- January 1 to March 9:
10:00am to 6:00pm
Ticket sales and admission end at 4:30pm
- March 10 to November 2:
8:30am to 7:00pm
Ticket sales and admission end at 5:30pm
- November 3 to December 31:
8:30am to 6:00pm
Ticket sales and admission end at 4:30pm
Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
*PLEASE NOTE: Operating hours for Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park are subject to change throughout the seasons. Visit this website or chimneyrockpark.com for up-to-date information when planning your visit.
**RUMBLING BALD AND EAGLE ROCK ACCESSES:
- January to February:
8:00am to 6:00pm
- March to April:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- May to August:
8:00am to 9:00pm
- September to October:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- November to December:
8:00am to 6:00pm
Closed Christmas Day
**There is no fee for this access.