Chimney Rock Park

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park’s climbing tower on the Meadows will be open to guests for a free climb on September 1-2, from noon to 3pm with paid Park admission, weather permitting. Enjoy a family picnic at the Park with a $6 (plus tax) meal special for a grilled hot dog, bag of chips and 20-oz. soft drink or bottled water near Cliff Dwellers Gift Shop 11am-3pm on Saturday & Sunday. In addition to picnic areas near the Gift Shop, several picnic areas are located along the Park road above the Meadows. Award-winning Park musician John Mason will be playing music from old time to ragtime on hammered dulcimer.

With the elevator now open, take a quick 35-second ride up to the Chimney—or hike the upgraded Outcroppings trail—to see stunning 75-mile views. The Park offers five scenic hiking trails with something for all ages and abilities and features scenery such as a 404-foot waterfall. Chimney Rock is open daily 8:30am-7pm; Ticket Plaza closes at 5:30pm. Admission is $15 adult, $7 youth (ages 6-15) and children under six are admitted free.

Live Critters & Family Fun.  Chimney Rock was named one of the top 5 “best summer activities for families” in North Carolina by GeoParent last year. Check out Grady’s Animal Discovery Den, where children can meet Grady the Groundhog, the Park’s animal ambassador, and have fun eyeing live critters such as turtles, snakes and an opossum. The adjacent Great Woodland Adventure offers an easy 0.6-mile winding hike with 13 interactive discovery stations, where Grady illustrates how his forest friends live, including chipmunks, frogs, owls and butterflies. Larger-than-life wood and metal sculptures bring to life the nation’s second TRACK Trail, created in collaboration with Kids in Parks, an initiative of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is a developing international outdoor attraction located 25 miles southeast of Asheville on Highway 64/74A in Chimney Rock, N.C. The Park’s 535-million-year-old monolith called Chimney Rock offers guests 75-mile panoramic views of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. Visit Chimney Rock’s website at chimneyrockpark.com.