2024 Events
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Monday, January 1 - Thursday, February 29
Though it’s often overlooked, winter is the perfect season to visit Chimney Rock. If you find yourself in the park this winter, send us your best snapshots of the gorgeous winter scenery, and you could win prizes. 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:
- 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, 2024 – February 29, 2024.
The contest is open to amateur and professional photographers. - Up to three photos per person can be submitted via any of the following ways to be eligible to win:
- E-mail: You may email your digital photo with your contact information specified in rule #3 to [email protected].
- Facebook: Send us a private message including your contact information specified in rule #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.
- 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.
- For entries showing human faces, you must list their name(s) and have written permission from any photographed person(s) to use their image.
- 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.
- Digital images can be optimized but not dramatically altered with photo editing software. Black and white photographs are welcome.
- 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].
Monday, January 1
Start the New Year off on the right foot — literally. Join us first thing New Year’s Day for this NC State Park tradition: the First Day Hike. This is the only time during the year that guests can walk, hike, or bike up the 3.2 mile park road. Motor vehicles are not allowed on the road during this time, and participants will be shuttled back to their cars in Chimney Rock Village before the park opens to the public at 10 am. Helmets are required for cyclists.
Meet at the Old Rock Café at 8am. Registration is not required.
Wednesday, January 17
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of Chimney Rock’s iconic elevator? Join a staff expert on this exclusive tour of the mechanics and history of this NC landmark. The tour will include areas crucial to elevator operation that have never been open to the public. *This event is for Annual Passholder only*
Friday, February 2
It’s our favorite holiday of the year! Come meet our new groundhogs Potato and Yam as they make their meteorological debut, and find out if it will be an early spring or if this blustery winter is here to stay. Tater and Yammy will also make their picks for the Super Bowl winners.
Can’t make it? This event will be streamed live on our Facebook Page: Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
Saturday, February 10
Wednesday, February 21
It might be cold outside, but we are always ready for a day of learning and adventure. Students will experience the quiet winter season at Chimney Rock State Park while gaining knowledge about our natural world. As always, we look forward to seeing our wonderful homeschool families and starting 2024 off on the right foot. Program and schedule details can be found here.
Thursday, February 29
Leap into the new year with a Leap Day Hike! Come join a Chimney Rock State Park Ranger and Rutherford Outdoor Coalition for a hike on the Weed Patch Mountain Trail. Participants will park their car, meet the shuttle bus at Buffalo Creek Park in Lake Lure, and ride together to the Eagle Rock Access in Chimney Rock State Park. We will then hike the trail down back to our cars. This is your chance to see all of The Weed Patch Mountain Trail! This 10- mile hike is rated as strenuous and takes most people 3-4 hours to complete. Be sure to bring proper hiking footwear, adequate snacks, and plenty of water. Register here or contact [email protected]
Monday, March 4 - Monday, March 25
Watch the park come to life week by week on these guided hikes with a naturalist. Join one of our trail guides every Monday in March for a moderate hike and learn about park history, flora and fauna, and the winter-to-spring transformation that takes place in the park this time of year. These hikes are included with admission and do not require registration.
Saturday, March 30
Did you know? Many of the first wildflowers to bloom in spring are classified as “ephemerals,” meaning these delicate blossoms only last a few weeks right at the beginning of this season of rebirth. Join a naturalist on a moderate hike to seek out some of these wildflowers and learn what makes these little plants so special.
Sunday, March 31
***ALL PARKING PASSES FOR THE SERVICE HAVE BEEN RESERVED***
Feel free to visit us during our regular park hours on Easter: 8:30am to 5:30pm, guests can hike until 7pm.
Celebrate Easter with us at this western North Carolina tradition. Chimney Rock has been hosting this non-denominational Easter service for almost 70 years. There’s nothing like watching the sun rise over beautiful Lake Lure and the blue ridge foothills. This event is free of charge, but participants must reserve a parking pass. Only one parking pass is needed per vehicle. There is no walk-in access to the park or service.
Monday, April 1 - Friday, April 5
School is out and things are getting wild! Meet our live animal ambassadors and their naturalist helpers every day at 2pm on the Outcroppings Deck.
Saturday, April 13
The forest floor is alive with wildflowers! Hit the trails and discover what makes this season at Chimney Rock so special. Join a naturalist on a moderate hike to Hickory Nut Falls and down the Four Seasons trail and learn to identify some of our common spring blooms. Transportation back to the top lot will be provided.
Wednesday, April 17
Enjoy this intimate, weekday hike with your fellow annual passholders. A naturalist will lead this moderate hike and share what makes spring in the park unique among flora, fauna and more. This event is only for annual passholders.
Friday, April 19
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, April 20
Join us for music, dancing, stories, and fun as we celebrate Earth Day at Chimney Rock State Park! Rango the Banjo Ranger will be playing tunes accompanied by Ranger Jimmy James Livingood with his story time books about trees and the Leave No Trace principles. Each participant will receive a free seedling to take home and plant in their own yard! No registration required.
Sunday, April 21
Come join a Park Ranger and hike up the 500+ stairs on the outcroppings trail to the Chimney to enjoy the sunrise. If you are feeling up to it, you can hike up a few more stairs to watch the sun rise up over the Chimney from the Opera Box. Participants will meet in front of Cliff Dwellers gift shop in the top parking at 6:30am. The front gate will close at 6:20 to ensure that everyone is at the top in time for the hike to start. Wear hiking shoes, dress appropriately for the weather, bring a headlamp or flashlight, and water. This is a moderate to strenuous hike. All participants will need to be out of the park by 8:00am. This will be a HIKE ONLY event. The elevator and Sky Lounge will be closed. Registration is required.
For questions, contact Ranger Joey Gonzalez at [email protected]