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One of the park’s biggest events is the arrival of Santa during the Christmas season. Beyond hiking, there are even more Chimney Rock State Park attractions. While visiting Chimney Rock State Park, we ask you to PLEASE leave no trace. Pack in and out, and please do not litter in our beloved public spaces. #travelbloggervibes #travelbloggerlifestyle #workremotely #beaufortnorthcarolina #beaufortnc #workview...
Scheduled Events at Chimney Rock State Park
It offers views of the mountain tops and a gorgeous picnic pavilion. Using the space is free and operates on a first come first serve basis. There is a main parking area that lies at the top of the entrance. From here, there’s direct access to many of the trails within the park and an easy entrance to the main attraction, the Chimney itself.
Field Trips
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Take Interstate 40 East to Exit #53 (Blue Ridge Parkway and Highway 74A East). The Rumbling Bald is accessed by the 1.5 mile looped Rumbling Bald Trail, and a permit must be given by the state park (though permits are free to obtain). Be sure to check the events page before visiting to see what’s on. One of the most iconic events if the Flock the Rock event.

Sharing the Trail
Located less than two hours west of Charlotte, Chimney Rock State Park offers different hiking trails that can lead to many rockhounding opportunities. The Hickory Nut Falls Trail is a 0.7-mile one-way trail (1.4 miles round trip) that will lead you straight to the base of the waterfall. The hike is relatively moderate and doable for small children. There are multiple picnic benches and places to rest along the trail and enjoy the views. From an overlook point, the land falls away to provide views of the Piedmont. Transfer of the World's Edge tract to state ownership was completed in 2006.
It also has the most facilities, including riverside areas, interpretive exhibits, and gift shops. The free Rumbling Bald and Eagle Rock accesses provide a more rugged backcountry experience. Access to this trail requires paid admission to the attraction. The trailhead is located near the top of the park road; visitors can park at the upper parking area and walk carefully down the park road. Alternatively, there is a set of stairs adjacent to the restrooms in the upper parking area, at the base of the Outcroppings Trail, that leads down to this trail. The park features hiking trails for all skill levels, views of the Devil's Head balancing rock, and a 404-foot (123 m) waterfall, Hickory Nut Falls.
Chimney Rock State Park Hiking Trails
Not only do you gain a sense of achievement, but the panoramic views from the observation deck are just magnificent. This trail has a natural surface, including stone steps. The Great Woodland Adventure would suit well as a self-guided trail for kids, as part of the nationwide network of Kids in Parks Track Trails, but any trail can be utilized. Visitors can download activity brochures, track all of their adventures online, and get prizes on the Kids in Parks website. Please follow safety rules and encourage others to do the same when you are near waterfall areas. Cameron grew up in Charlotte and spent his childhood traveling around this great region.
Best Hiking Trails at Chimney Rock State Park
The opening hours always depend on the time of year, as the season will affect weather patterns and daylight. The street address for the GPS is 431 Main Street, Chimney Rock, NC. Be sure to study the park map upon arrival, there are so many magical spots to see within the wild grounds, other than just the main formation of course. It’s a more recent addition to the NC state park scene, as it existed privately until 2007. The preserved ecology and geology of the area make it a special highlight of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and a mecca for outdoor adventure.
This is the highest peak here, reaching 2,640 feet above sea level, and a stunning vantage point of the captivating scenery. After, it travels to the high point of Hickory Nut Falls for another gander at these gorgeous cascades. Be ready to compete with some crowds, but also to experience a vast sweeping vista that stretches out over 75 feet into the rugged landscape of western North Carolina. Either way, the payoff of a panorama 2,280 feet above sea level is well worth the journey. There are two routes to get to the top of the iconic Chimney Rock formation, for which the park is named.

Meander through lush dense forest on this trek before reaching the upper cascades of the Park’s 404-foot waterfall. Be sure to hike the Hickory Nut Falls trail, one of the highest in the East. The trailhead is located across the stairs leading to the top of the Chimney. About a half hour west of Charlotte, Crowders Mountain State Park offers hikes to cliffsides that are home to many rockhounding vistas. This park is known best for The Pinnacle and Crowders Mountain.
Located near the elevator, the gift shop sells local pieces as well as apparel, magnets, and more. Chimney Rock’s Animal Discovery Den is home to several animals who serve as ambassadors to educate about the park’s wildlife. In the Den, you’ll meet Mufasa the Eastern King Snake, Petunia the Snapping Turtle, and Ossie the Opossum, among many others. I personally like the hike up because you get a lot of different perspectives of Chimney Rock and the rest of the park. Plus, you pass through the Subway (a small tunnel) and other scenic walkways. To reach the top of Chimney Rock, you’ll have to drive up to the base of the monument.
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The views from Pulpit Rock, Chimney Rock, the Opera Box, and Hickory Nut Falls were all beautiful. Overall its a great park to visit and do some moderate hiking. None of the trails that we were on were super strenuous but there are a lot of stairs in several places.
Me and husband decided that we were not going to take the elevator and just hike all the way up. It was a fun experience but next time we will take the elevator so we can see the rest of the park. Once you make it to where the flag pole is your not going to want to hike up the rest of the way if you didn't take the elevator. There is also two views of a water fall but we only did the bottom view.
And there are a couple of walking trails that take you up to the mountain above Chimney Rock which offer incredible views you won’t see anywhere else in the Park. The trailhead is located at Eagle Rock access, located at 1911 Shumont Road in Black Mountain. Eagle Rock is free to access, but there is currently limited parking, so please be prepared to make alternate plans if the parking area is full upon arrival. Set on the south face of Rumbling Bald Mountain are numerous rock climbing opportunities for all skill levels. There is no fee to try your hand at some scrambling here, but it’s important to plan ahead as a registration and permit are required beforehand. It’s a moderate to strenuous trek and follows a series of switchbacks up the mountain ridge to Peregrine’s Point.
It’s a half-mile loop that includes the added bonus of 12 discovery stations along the route. It’s a wonderful blend of ecological education and whimsy. This trail is short but strenuous, climbing nearly 400 feet in elevation in just over half a mile. It meanders through dense deciduous forest and eventually connects with the Hickory Nut Falls Trail. This famous foray within the park culminates in a 400-foot cascade that is not to be missed. It’s an easy North Carolina hike that is both wide and gentle and only 1.5 mile round trip.
📷 Fort Macon State Park, NC#hikingpartner #fortMacon #hikingviews#hikingtime #hikingvibes #femalehiker #nctrails #ncstateparks... This trail is located inside the Chimney Rock attraction and starts at Exclamation Point. It guides visitors even higher in elevation to Peregrine Point at 2,460 feet. The trailhead is located at the end of the upper parking area, past the restrooms. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times. Please pick up after your pet when you are at the park; pet waste is not fertilizer and can put plants, other animals, and visitors at risk for disease.
Beyond the Outcroppings Trail to Chimney Rock and the Hickory Nut Falls Trail, here are some other fun hiking trails with those two. Hickory Nut Falls is the second major attraction inside Chimney Rock State Park. This 404-foot waterfall is one of the tallest in North Carolina and the Eastern United States. Ticket prices may change based on the season and closures of parts of the park. Chimney Rock State Park also offers an annual pass, as well as two-day passes. You can buy your ticket here and redeem it at the Ticket Plaza before entering the park.