2024 Events
June
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Saturday, June 1
Celebrate one of our favorite days of the year with a day of guided hikes along Chimney Rock’s six unique trails. Join naturalists throughout the day and learn more about the park’s history, flora, and fauna. Our partners from Waypoint Adventure will also be in the park leading accessible hikes. Full schedule and details below!
Hike Schedule:
Guided Outcroppings Trek | Meet at Cliff Dwellers
10am & 1pm
Take a guided journey to the top of Chimney Rock! This hike climbs 500 stairs past iconic park features like the Grotto, Subway, and Pulpit Rock. Enjoy the reward: the view of Lake Lure from the top.
Guided Waterfall Hike with Waypoint Adventure | Meet at Cliff Dwellers
11am & 2pm
Strike out on this 1.5 mile round-trip hike to stunning Hickory Nut Falls with Chimney Rock staff and Waypoint Adventure. This hike will be accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities. Waypoint Adventure has a variety of off-road hiking wheelchairs, along with a team of trained staff and volunteers to support your needs. Once registered, we will be in touch to discuss specific accommodations and supports.
Please note: registration is encouraged for this hike if you require support from Waypoint.
2pm Signup:
Guided Great Woodland Family Adventure | Meet at Animal Discovery Den
12pm & 3pm
This easy hike is perfect for explorers of all ages! Take a guided half-mile stroll along our trail specifically designed for young hikers, and stop by our interactive wildlife-focused stations along the way. Note: this trail is not appropriate for wheelchairs or strollers.
Saturday, June 1
Don’t miss one of our favorite passholder events of the year! Join your fellow passholders for a private, after-hours evening in the park and enjoy catered hors d’oeuvres and drinks from the Old Rock Cafe. There’s nothing like watching dusk fall over Hickory Nut Gorge from Chimney Rock. *This event is exclusively for annual passholders; no additional guests please.*
Monday, June 3 - Friday, August 16
Did you know some of our favorite team members have feathers, fur, or scales? Come meet them and their naturalist counterparts during our Summer Animal Encounters. See live animal ambassadors and learn about the roles they play in our native ecosystem every weekday at 2pm on the Outcroppings Deck.
Saturday, June 8
Explore the park’s newest trail, opened in 2017, with the help of one of our staff naturalists. Trek to Exclamation Point, traverse the ridgetop forest, pass through the highest point in the park, and conclude your journey at the top of Hickory Nut Falls. Plus, learn about the flora and fauna of this trail along the way. Please note, this hike is considered moderate to strenuous.
Saturday, June 8
This holiday highlights one of our favorite things to do: get outdoors! Stop by the park for a day of hiking, outdoor activities, education stations, and more. Our friends from Waypoint Adventures will be on site leading accessible hikes. Full schedule and details below!
Schedule of Events
Rockin’ Raptors | Chimney level
10am – 3pm
Many types of powerful birds of prey call Hickory Nut Gorge home. Stop by to meet a naturalist and learn about the role raptors play in our ecosystem.
Threats and Thorns | Waterfall
10am – 3pm
All plants and animals have special adaptations that help them survive in their environment. But which ones can be harmful to people? Meet a naturalist and learn more.
Climbing Demonstrations by Fox Mountain Guides | Outcroppings Deck
10am – 3pm
Fox Mountain Guides will be onsite offering free climbing demonstrations for anyone interested ages six years old and up. No experience necessary. All equipment provided.
What a Ranger Does | Top Parking lot
11am-1pm
Meet a Chimney Rock State Park Ranger and learn about what a day on the job looks like at this touch-a-truck style station.
Guided hike with Waypoint Adventures | Meet in Top Parking lot
10am and 2pm | Hickory Nut Falls trail
Join Waypoint Adventure and Chimney Rock staff on a moderate hike to one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains: Hickory Nut Falls.
This hike will be accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities. Waypoint Adventure has a variety of off-road hiking wheelchairs, along with a team of trained staff and volunteers to support your needs. Once registered, we will be in touch to discuss specific accommodations and supports.
Please note: registration is encouraged for this hike if you require support from Waypoint.
2pm Signup:
Saturday, June 8
Come enjoy a delicious lunch on the Old Rock deck overlooking the Rocky Broad River, and support a good cause! A portion of all proceeds from this event go to support our non-profit partner Preserving a Picturesque America. Local musician Mike Pauer will provide an afternoon of great tunes and the Old Rock crew will be cooking up diner classics.
Saturday, June 15
Do you ever wonder what goes on in the park after dark? Join a guide on the Hickory Nut Falls Trail and learn who comes out in the park when the sun comes down. This moderate hike is the perfect time to learn more about some of the park’s rarely-seen residents.
Friday, June 21
The best view of any yoga class in town, hands down! Our friends from Namaste in Nature will lead this peaceful, after-hours yoga class to kick off the weekend. This class is beginner friendly.