Chimney Rock State Park, located 25 miles southeast of Asheville, North Carolina is tucked in Hickory Nut Gorge near Lake Lure. The State of North Carolina obtained Chimney Rock from private owners in 2007 and has turned the area into a premier destination for hiking, with or without your leashed dog! (Daisy did not join us on our recent trip, but she will go next time!)
The 491 stair climb to the top is worth the effort. But… if 491 steps sounds too tough, there is an elevator through the mountain that gets you there in just 30 seconds! Whichever you choose, here’s what you’ll see! Worth it? Don’t you agree?
Chimney Rock Trails
How about the other natural beauty, Hickory Nut Falls? Besides the trek up the stairs at Chimney Rock, enjoy hiking on the Hickory Nut Falls Trail (currently closed due to damage caused by a rockslide but expected to reopen in 2014). This trail leads to the bottom of a 404-foot waterfall, second highest waterfall east of the Mississippi. The ¾ mile long trail is considered an easy hike and well worth the view.
Looking for a tougher climb? Try Chimney Rock’s Four Seasons Trail. Just over ½ a mile long, this moderately strenuous trail starts at the Meadows and leads to the mountaintop without need of a car. (I’ll admit, we drove to the top on the switchback laden road! Interesting drive!)
What about the younger set? Chimney Rock State Park truly offers something for everyone. The Great Woodland Adventure Trail, just over ½ mile long, is home to Grady the Groundhog, the Park’s “Animal Ambassador.” Along this trail kids and kids at heart can learn about chipmunks, frogs, owls and butterflies. They can try to jump as far as a spider (it’s not as easy as it sounds) or spot birds of prey.
Want to make a statement? Catch your breath at Chimney Rock then hike the Skyline Trail to the highest point on the mountain, Exclamation Point! My son and his friend (teen boys with incredible stamina), made the trek to the top. They said it was easy, but I think that was the bravado talking… I guess I’ll have to join in the next time to find out if this leans more toward moderate or toward strenuous.
Ben and his friend made it to the top and got these photos with my smartphone (I’m a trusting mom!)
Chimney Rock Activities and Adventures
Besides hiking, consider a rock-climbing adventure, lunch, dinner and shopping at Chimney Rock State Park. There are several restaurants at the base of the park and Sky Lounge Gift Shop and Deli at the top. The restaurant offers sandwiches, ice cream and snacks…. and a FABULOUS panoramic view of the valley below! To learn more visit the Park website.
Visiting Chimney Rock
Park Hours:
- Park hours change seasonally. Click here for current information.
- CLOSED Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, 2013
- OPEN New Years Day, 2014
Have you been to Chimney Rock yet? Or do you have another great mountain trail to recommend? We’d love to hear from you!
Oh! How I’d love to visit this location! You have some wonderful photos and great levels of hikes for people to choose from!
Wow, not sure I’d climb that mountain but I sure would love to visit Asheville, NC – I’ve always wanted to go up there – How beautiful!!
I just love this blog post. The pictures are wonderful and I have to say as a Canadian, you make me want to come down and visit. Gorgeous country.
There’s so much beauty over that way and I’ve got to take a weekend when it gets warm and visit this! I’ll happily do the hiking, but I’m gonna leave the rock climbing to someone else!
I LOVE Chimney Rock! I went there several years ago with my boyfriend at the time, and it was amazingly beautiful! If I am not mistaken, I believe they filmed some of The Last of the Mohicans there! I would love to go back! Especially during the fall! You got some beautiful pictures!
You are correct. Exclamation Point was used as the backdrop for much of Last of the Mohicans.
I haven’t been here yet, but I’d like to. It’s a 6 1/2 hour drive though, so not something I can do easily by myself with my kiddo….but doable!
There are lots of cabins and hotels in the area, all family friendly. Many allow pets (so does Chimney Rock). This would make a great long weekend getaway.
What a great site–with my bad knees I think the elevator is the way I’d go =D
One of the travelers in our group had bad knees and used the elevator. It only takes 20 seconds to get to the top! A mountain elevator is so unique. Never saw one of those at Yosemite, so this is definitely a bad-knee friendly destination.
Wow! Some really beautiful scenery here Karen! I would have loved to climb those rocks!
Thanks Lexie! It’s spectacular. Not too shabby for our “lesser mountains” on the east coast!