Season's Greetings from your friends at Chimney Rock Park!

Baby, it’s cold outside. It seems that the chilly weather is finally here to stay, but don’t let that keep you from visiting the Park this winter. Hiking is the perfect cure for cabin fever and a great way to keep some of those holiday calories at bay. Plus, winter hiking at Chimney Rock Park means expansive, uninterrupted views of Lake Lure and the Hickory Nut Gorge.

Santa Claus is coming to town!

That’s right, for the 15th year, Santa Claus will practice climbing down our 315’ Chimney before loading up the sleigh, hitching up the reindeer and climbing down millions of chimneys around the world. Santa will be at the Park Saturdays, December 1 and 8 from 11am to 2pm. Free with Park admission – and bring your camera to snap some great shots of Santa in action!

Perfect Stocking Stuffers

You can give the gift of Chimney Rock Park this holiday season! Until December 24, our Annual Passes on just $20 for adults and $8 for youth (ages 6-15). That’s just $20 for unlimited visits to the Park for an entire year. Plus, you get discounts on programs and guided hikes, retail, and food and beverages in the Park. And that’s not all! You also get deals at other attractions like Biltmore Estate, Grandfather Mountain, and Carowinds.

Another great stocking stuffer? How about a rock climbing clinic for the adventurous one on your list? Purchase a gift certificate for a two-hour clinic with our partners Fox Mountain Guides and your loved one will be scaling our ancient cliffs in no time.

Get "Off the Beaten Path"

This year’s "Off the Beaten Path" Guided Hike series wraps up on Saturday, December 8 at 9am with a “Scratch & Sniff” Guided Hike with Park Naturalist Ron Lance. Ron will show you how to use senses other than your eyes, like smell and touch, to identify plants and trees. Learn what’s nice, what’s not, what’s edible, and what’s noxious. For all ages, only walking shoes and non-stuffy noses required. $20 for adults includes Park admission; $5 for Annual Passholders; $10 for youth ages 6-15; $3 for Grady’s Kids Club members. Call 800-277-9611 today and we’ll save you a spot.

Let Us Throw You a Holiday Party!

There’s still time to book your holiday party at our Old Rock Café. And, the best part of it all is that we do all the work! Check out our yummy menu options sure to please all your guests. Plus, you can “rock it” Chimney Rock-style with a karaoke sing-along. Call Kathryn Canant, our group sales manager, at 828-625-9611 ext. *812 and she’ll get you all set up.

Coming up in 2008

We’re busy planning a full year of events and programs for 2008. We’ll have your favorites like our “Off the Beaten Path” Guided Hike Series, “Simon Says” Guided Bird Walks, and photography and dulcimer workshops. And of course, we’ll be celebrating the 53rd Annual Easter Sunrise Service, the 4th Annual Bark in the Park and 2nd Annual Race to the Rock (an event of the Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad).

Plus, we’re adding a few new events that are sure to excite you. During the month of April, “Every Day is Earth Day.” We’ll have special activities and programs each weekend in April focusing on recycling, conservation and education. In September, we’re tempting you to “Flock to the Rock” for birding activities all month long.

Will Grady the Groundhog See His Shadow?

Our very own Park mascot and "proxy Punxsutawny Phil" will let us know if we can plan on an early spring when he checks for his shadow live and in the flesh, um, we mean the fur, on Groundhog Day, Saturday, February 2. We’re planning a great event all about Grady and his Groundhog family, so go ahead and mark your calendar now.

Holiday Happenings in the Gorge

The Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Holiday Dinner & Auction on Monday, December 3, at 6pm at Lake View Restaurant at Rumbling Bald Resort. This year’s event has a Dirty Dancing theme and features professional dance entertainment and both live and silent auctions. For tickets and further info, call 828-625-2725.

Deadline for Annual Photo Contest December 10

We’ve extended our Annual Photo Contest, so you still have time to submit your photos and win a weekend for two in the Hickory Nut Gorge, or another fabulous prize. Call 800-277-9611 for details or check out the rules for information on submission of your prize-winners!

Happy Holidays - and 'til next month, live it up!