Follow along for regular updates on the park’s reopening progress, including behind the scenes updates from our team as we get the park ready for you to visit! For more info, visit our Park Access FAQ.

Paving Begins on Temporary Bridge This Week, Plus Slope Repairs and a Look at Hickory Nut Falls

Despite a wet and rainy week, work in the park has continued to move forward. However, the park does not yet have a scheduled opening date. North Carolina State Parks and Chimney Rock State Park are working closely with local officials and the state Department of Transportation to reopen the park as soon as possible.

The temporary bridge is nearly complete. Crews have installed guardrails and begun paving the bridge at the start of this week. Along the park road, teams have continued repairing and reinforcing sections damaged by slides, with most of that work now nearing completion as well.

Up the mountain, the landslide stabilization project is continuing in the parking lot. Last week, crews began drilling into competent rock so that they can install mesh reinforcements on the cliffside. Meanwhile, Otis Elevator technicians are scheduled to arrive this week to begin repairs on the elevator, which sustained extensive water damage during the storm.

Elsewhere in the park, landscaping and trail restoration are ongoing, including the rebuilding of the damaged Hickory Nut Falls viewing platform.

Bridge Deck Installed, Road and Trail Repairs Continue

North Carolina State Parks and Chimney Rock State Park are working closely with local officials and the state Department of Transportation to reopen the park as soon as possible.

Repair work continues throughout the park as crews make progress on multiple fronts.

NCDOT and Wright Brothers Construction are moving quickly on the temporary bridge access. With the support pylons and entrance ramps now in place, the bridge deck has been installed using truck-mounted cranes.

Inside the park, crews have been repairing damaged sections of the main road by reinforcing the hillside with rebar and concrete ahead of repaving. In the top parking lot, teams are stabilizing a slope where a slide left loose soil.

Trail restoration is also well underway.

Teams have been clearing fallen and hazardous trees to make trails safe. Meanwhile, damaged sections of the boardwalk-style bridge that connects the Hickory Nut Falls Trail to the top parking lot are being reconstructed.

We’re encouraged by the steady progress and will continue to keep you updated as repairs move forward.

Bridge Pylons Installed, Park Road Repairs Underway

Progress continues on the construction of the temporary bridge that will eventually restore access into the park. Since our last update, the construction bridge has been completed. This temporary work bridge allows the crew to safely move equipment and materials across the river as they build the main structure.

Crews have also installed pylons, large vertical structures which will form the foundation for the bridge.

Significant headway has been made on building the ramp leading up to the bridge, where large boulders and compacted gravel are being used to create a smooth transition from the access road to the bridge deck once it’s completed.

Inside the park, work has started on the park road, where repairs are being made to sections that were damaged by small landslides.

We’re excited about the progress being made each day, and look forward to sharing more updates with you as new information comes in.

As a reminder, the park and Chimney Rock Village remain closed to the public at this time.

Construction Begins on a Temporary Bridge Access

This week, the North Carolina Department of Transportation began construction of a temporary bridge that once completed will allow for public access into the park again. Wright Brothers Construction has been awarded the contract to work on the temporary bridge. The bridge is located just west of the old truss bridge that previously served Southside Drive.

NCDOT also determined the future placement for a permanent bridge into the park. The permanent bridge will be part of a larger infrastructure project reconnecting Hickory Nut Gorge, with construction set to begin in 2026.

As a reminder, the park and Chimney Rock Village are still closed to the public.

Read more in NCDOT’s official release.