August

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Monday, June 3 - Friday, August 16

Summer Animal Encounters
Time: Weekdays only at 2pm
Cost: Included with Park admission.

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 22 - Saturday, August 24

Ramble with a Ranger Around Rumbling Bald
Time: 9am - 10am, Saturdays only

Join a Park Ranger for a moderate 1.5 mile hike around the Rumbling Bald Loop every Saturday this summer and discover some of the natural wonders of Chimney Rock State Park. Note: This hike is in the Rumbling Bald access of the state park, not the Chimney Rock access. No fees are required to access this area.

Monday, July 1 - Saturday, August 31

Summer Photo Contest: Different View
Time: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Cost: Included with Park admission.

We’ve seen some incredible photos of the views at Chimney Rock over the years, and we’re excited to see more. Pack your cameras for your trip to the park and send us your best snapshots of Chimney Rock’s iconic views. Even better, seek out a view that we don’t always see. The more creative, the better! See full contest details below.

GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES

1st Prize: The winning photo will be our Facebook cover photo for two weeks, and the photographer will receive two annual passes to Chimney Rock State Park and lunch for four at the Old Rock Café.

2nd Prize: After the first place photo, the second place photo will be our Facebook cover photo for one week. The photographer will receive one annual pass to Chimney Rock State Park and lunch for two at the Old Rock Café.

3rd Prize: The third place photographer will receive two adult day passes (or one family pack of day passes) to Chimney Rock State Park and lunch for two at the Old Rock Café.

CONTEST RULES:

  1. There is no fee to enter the contest. All photographs must be taken in Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park only in areas accessible to guests between January 1, 2023 – February 28, 2023.
    The contest is open to amateur and professional photographers.
  2. Up to three photos per person can be submitted via any of the following ways to be eligible to win:
    1. E-mail: You may email your digital photo with your contact information specified in rule #3 to [email protected].
    2. Facebook: Send us a private message including your contact information specified in rule #3.
  3. Every entry should be clearly labeled with the photographer’s name, city & state, a brief photo caption, an email address and the best phone number to reach you.
  4. Photos should be available at a minimum resolution of 1200 x 1600 pixels (1 MB minimum) to be eligible to win. Photos taken via smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices are welcome if they meet minimum requirements.
  5. For entries showing human faces, you must list their name(s) and have written permission from any photographed person(s) to use their image.
  6. Entries should reflect the photographer’s interpretation of the theme. Emphasis will be placed on quality, composition and creativity. All entries may be used in promotions of Chimney Rock and park-related activities.
  7. Digital images can be optimized but not dramatically altered with photo editing software. Black and white photographs are welcome.
  8. Winners will be chosen by a team of Chimney Rock staff. Decisions regarding winners are final.

Winners will be notified personally and announced on Chimney Rock’s social media. For more information, call 1-828-625-9611, ext. 1812 or email us at [email protected].

 

Saturday, July 27 - Monday, August 5

What a Ranger Does Storywalk®
Time: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Cost: Included with Park admission.

Come celebrate “World Ranger Day” as you take a walk and read “What a Park Ranger Does” written by Joseph Hiatt, a Chimney Rock State Park Ranger. Begin at the Great Woodland Adventure Trailhead and  follow the pages as you explore the trail!

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier Vermont. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.  

Saturday, August 10

Playing for our Partners at the Old Rock Cafe
Time: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: No cover; menu items priced individually

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 Environmental Educators of North Carolina. Local musician Ansel Couch will provide an afternoon of great tunes and the Old Rock crew will be cooking up diner classics.

Sunday, August 11

Race to the Rock
Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Cost: Pricing info at lakelureolympiad.org

Are you up for the challenge? The final event of the Lake Lure Olympiad takes place right here in Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park. Run or jog up the 3.2-mile park road and be rewarded with a stunning view of Lake Lure and the Blue Ridge foothills. More information and registration at lakelureolympiad.org

Friday, August 16

Yoga with a View
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cost: Includes Park admission: $35 Adult, $25 Annual Passholder. Advance registration required.

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.

Saturday, August 17

Naturalist Niche: Marvelous Mycology
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: Includes Park admission: $25 Adult, $11 Adult Annual Passholder, $15 Youth, $9 Youth Annual Passholder. Advance Registration Required.

Hickory Nut Gorge and Chimney Rock are home to many species of fabulous fungi. Whether you’re a mycology expert or a casual observer of these mysterious mushrooms, there’s a lot to learn on this guided hike with a naturalist as you investigate some terrific toadstools along the Skyline Trail. Note: this hike is considered moderately strenuous.

Saturday, August 24

Nature at Night Hike
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Cost: Includes Park admission: $25 Adult, $11 Adult Annual Passholder, $15 Youth, $9 Youth Annual Passholder. Advance Registration Required.

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.

Wednesday, August 28

Annual Passholder: Botanical Photography
Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Cost: $11 Adult Annual Passholder, $7 Youth Annual Passholder

Learn to take striking photos of flowers, trees, and more using only your smartphone! Join a local botanical photographer on a relaxed stroll and learn tips and tricks for capturing stunning snapshots of the natural world. No experience necessary.

This event is only for annual passholders. A valid annual pass must be shown at the gate to participate.

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