Chimney Rock State Park
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Black Mountain sits just off I-40 and is another great base for exploring Chimney Rock State Park. The town features quaint shops, impressive restaurants (including Phil’s Bar-B-Que Pit!), and the lovely Lake Tomahawk. Hendersonville is a great place to visit throughout the year, but don’t miss the annual NC Apple Festival. This is a celebration of the amazing orchards in and around Henderson County. There are lots of fun things to do at Lake Lure, so spend an afternoon here relaxing on the water or the beach.
One Tank Trips: Things to see and do in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure
There are several access points along Highway 74, but be sure to have the proper permits first. Autumn, in particular, provides an opportunity to see the mass migration of hawks, falcons, eagles, and vultures. It’s earned a spot on the official NC Birding Trail and offers many guided walks, workshops, and programs throughout the year. The fastest bird in the world, the Peregrine Falcon, can often be spotted soaring rapidly about the gorge. Chimney Rock State Park is one of the best spots for avian enthusiasts to spot some special flying friends.
Friends of State Parks
I think this is a relatively moderate hike up to the top – 499 steps to the top – which my 76 year old father and 69 year old mother managed just fine. The number one thing to do here is to climb to the top of the rock on the Chimney Rock hike. In 2006, the “World’s Edge” land was added to the park, making it a total of 1,568-acres. It was discovered by Lucius B. Morse who opened it as a private park in 1902.
About the Park
My dad loved the connection that the Chimney Rock area has to that movie. Fortunately, getting to the top is easy, since the are 499 steps from the park entrace to the viewpoint at the top. Chimney Rock State Park is an area of outstanding natural beauty and is one of the most popular mountains in Western North Carolina.
Climb the 500 Stairs to Chimney Rock and Fantastic Views of Lake Lure – Travel Bugged - Travel Bugged
Climb the 500 Stairs to Chimney Rock and Fantastic Views of Lake Lure – Travel Bugged.
Posted: Sat, 17 Oct 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]
As the name suggests, every seasonal hike here has a special highlight to offer. It’s also a great spot for trying to spot some local wildlife. This is the perfect pick for those interested in a venture into the more remote rugged terrain in Chimney Rock State Park.
Share your best hiking photos and fun learning experiences.
This picturesque park lies in the little village of Chimney Rock, which is in Rutherford County. This gem-mining experience even offers gemstone cutting, so visitors can turn their finds into jewelry. About two hours northwest of Charlotte, Crabtree Emerald Mine has been used as an emerald provider for Tiffany Jewelers in New York City. This mine is obviously known for its emeralds, but also has sums of other minerals including quartz and mica. At Chimney Rock State Park, visitors can take a 26-story elevator inside a mountain to view its geology from the inside.
Picnic Spots at Chimney Rock State Park
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. Another spot where you can soak in the scenery is Lake Lure Beach and Water Park.
It’s a moderate to strenuous hike that climbs up 400 feet through forest to the Hickory Nut Falls Trail. The park is also home to one of the highest waterfalls in North Carolina. The Hickory Nut Falls is 404 foot tall and features a balanced rock known as “Devil’s Head” at the summit of the falls. Some say the rock looks like the head of a devil, which is how it got its infamous name. Head up even higher along the Skyline Trail, which features the Park’s highest lookout, Peregrine’s Point, at 2,640 feet.
Chimney Rock State Park boasts some of the most unique and alluring uninterrupted panoramas around. We are obsessed with the outdoors, and work constantly to bring you the information you need to enjoy the rocks and minerals you've added to your collection. Because of its history, this is a great place for the most passionate rockhounders to visit.
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 for questions regarding those topics. Pets are allowed at the park, except they are not permitted inside buildings or in the elevator at the Chimney Rock attraction. Admission fees are charged per person at the Chimney Rock attraction. There are no fees to access Rumbling Bald and Eagle Rock for day-use.
We also love this experience for inexperienced rockhounders, and those with young families who have children with an interest in rocks, minerals and crystals. Many rare and unusual rocks and minerals have been found in this area including samarskite, uranophane, and hyalite opal. We love that this is a way for rockhounders to dig in an area that they know they will find some minerals, instead of having to venture into areas that might not have anything.
You can climb in the park all year round, weather permitting, and it’s a very family-friendly activity. The youngest age for this activity is 6-years-old, so the whole family can do it. The spectacular view of the waterfall is totally worth it. From Charlotte it’s a 2-hour drive, from our home in Raleigh it’s 4 hours, and it’s only a 5-minute drive from one of our favorite places to visit in North Carolina, Lake Lure. Don’t worry though, it’s completely worth it once you reach the top.
Chimney Rock State Park brings the best of the mountains together in one place. For immediate gratification, take the elevator to the top. This trail is primarily stairs with some segments of natural surface, including stone steps. As an alternative, visitors with limited mobility or disabilities can take the elevator to the Sky Lounge to get to the viewing areas at the base of Chimney Rock. This trail, located inside the Chimney Rock attraction, leads to the base of the fantastic 404-foot-tall waterfall.
Take Interstate 40 East to Exit #53A (Blue Ridge Parkway and Highway 74A East). Stay on 74A East for 20 miles and the Park entrance will be on the right. Follow Highway 64/74A West for 20 miles and the Park entrance will be on the left. Take Interstate 85 South to Exit #10 (King’s Mountain and Highway 74 West). Go 14 miles to the stop sign (Lake Lure will be opposite the stop sign).
Check their online calendar full of upcoming excitements to see if there’s something that matches the time frame of your visit to Chimney Rock. Chimney Rock State Park often hosts seasonal and community events. This includes guided hikes, educational programs, and special happenings like the Llamapalooza, the Full Moon Series or Yoga at Sunrise. The lot has been recently renovated and provides convenient and safe parking with enough space for everyone.
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