Trails
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, December 8, 2018 - 10:00am
Tuesday, January 1, 2019 - 8:00am
Sunday, September 8, 2019 - 1:00pm
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.
Posted 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.
Riverwalk Trail
Location: Chimney Rock Village
Description:
This trail provides free access to the Rocky Broad River in Chimney Rock where visitors can stroll by boulder-strewn waters and readily access local shops and restaurants. Free parking available in the village alongside Highway 64/74A. Look for the public accesses next to the Old Rock Cafe and the village restrooms.
Point of Interest: Rocky Broad River
Length:
0.10 miles
One-way
0.10 miles
One-way
Difficulty:
Easy
Easy
Blaze:
Rumbling Bald Trail
Location: Rumbling Bald Access
Description:
The Rumbling Bald Trail is a loop trail that meanders through a beautiful hardwood forest along the south face of Rumbling Bald Mountain, revealing huge boulder fields and the base of the cliff areas. The parking area for this trail is located off Boys Camp Road between Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Once at the trailhead follow the orange trail blazes through the bouldering areas, past the cliff base, and back to the parking area.
Point of Interest:
Length:
1.50 miles
Round Trip
1.50 miles
Round Trip
Difficulty:
Moderate
Moderate
Blaze:
orange circle
orange circle
Skyline Trail
Location: Chimney Rock Access
Description:
The Skyline Trail starts at Exclamation Point and guides visitors even higher in elevation to Peregrine Point at 2,640 feet. After gazing across and into scenic Hickory Nut Gorge, visitors can continue their woodland hike to Falls Creek, which begins its 404-foot plunge as Hickory Nut Falls near the trail's end.
Point of Interest: Peregrine Point, Hickory Nut Falls
Length:
1.10 miles
One-way
1.10 miles
One-way
Difficulty:
Moderate
Moderate
Blaze:
Blue Diamonds
Blue Diamonds
Tunnel Trail
Location: Eagle Rock Reserved Parking Area
Description:
The Tunnel Trail spurs off the Weed Patch Mountain Trail near Eagle Rock. It showcases natural stone staircases, which bring hikers up and through a tunnel created by a huge granite rock slab leaning at the base of Eagle Rock. Mountain bikes are not permitted on this trail, foot traffic only. Rock climbing is permitted on Eagle Rock with a permit. Click here to reserve a parking space at Eagle Rock.
Point of Interest: A tunnel created by a large rock and the base of Eagle Rock
Length:
0.15 miles
One-way
0.15 miles
One-way
Difficulty:
Moderate
Moderate
Blaze:
White triangle
White triangle
Surface: Natural surface, Stairs
Weed Patch Mountain Trail
Location: Eagle Rock Reserved Parking Area
Description:
The Weed Patch Mountain Trail connects Eagle Rock in Chimney Rock State Park to Buffalo Creek Park near Rumbling Bald Resort. It traverses rugged mountain terrain through a remote wilderness area. The trail is designed for hiking and mountain biking. Rock climbing is permitted on Eagle Rock with a permit. Click here to reserve a parking space at Eagle Rock.
Point of Interest: Along the way you will find yourself at rock outcroppings with spectacular long-range views, as well as pristine mountain streams and an old growth forest. The best views can be found at Eagle Rock, Flapjack Rock and Grey Rock.
Length:
8.50 miles
One-way
8.50 miles
One-way
Difficulty:
Strenuous
Strenuous
Blaze:
Red Circle
Red Circle
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
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.
*January 1-March 11: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. Ticket sales and admission end at 4:30 pm. Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays. *March 12-November 4: 8:30 am - 7:00 pm. Ticket sales and admission end at 5:30 pm. *November 5-21: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm. Ticket sales and admission end at 4:30 pm. *Closed Thanksgiving Day (November 22). November 23-25: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm. Ticket sales and admission end at 4:30 pm. *November 26-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.