May 14, 2012—After about four months of challenging construction, the Outcroppings trail reopened on Saturday, April 14! The trail rebuilt over this past winter offers new stunning views of the Park, increased capacity and improved comfort with more places to rest. The reopening of the Outcroppings trail, which leads from the upper parking lot to the Chimney stairs, restores hiking access to the Chimney, the Opera Box, Devil’s Head and Skyline trail to Exclamation Point, the highest point in the Park. The modernized elevator and Sky Lounge Gift Shop & Deli are expected to reopen sometime later this spring (i.e. late May to mid-June). Reduced admission rates are $12/adult, $5/youth (ages 6-15) and free for kids under 6.

Awesome Views, Spacious Trail. Upgrading the Outcroppings trail preserves access to the Park’s iconic centerpiece for generations while improving the guest experience. Landings are placed every 12 vertical feet of climb to facilitate rest stops, and the new six-foot-wide stairways, which increase capacity, have a gentler incline to make it physically easier for guests to hike to the Chimney. Check out photos of the Outcroppings Trail Reopening Day.

Elevator To Open In Late May to Mid-June. The elevator and Sky Lounge are expected to open at an unscheduled date in late spring (ie. late May to mid-June). Originally opened in 1949, the Park’s 26-story elevator is nearing its completion on an extensive modernization project. Almost every part including the original elevator car is being upgraded or replaced. The Sky Lounge Gift Shop & Deli has been renovated to make its restrooms wheelchair accessible, and it will offer improved retail and food selections.

Make history by being one of the first to ride our elevator when it reopens! Enter your family to win our Get Elevated (Again) Contest.

Open 7 Days a Week: The Park is open seven days a week, 8:30am-7pm; the Ticket Plaza closes at 5:30pm.

For more on our current capital improvements, visit our Progress page.

Win an “official first ride” on the elevator, Annual Passes for your family and $200 in gift certificates!

Is your love for Chimney Rock in your genes? Has your grandparent or great-grandparent been bringing your family to Chimney Rock for more than two generations? Have a historical photo to prove it? Then we want to hear from you! Deadline to enter contest has been extended to May 16.

The incredible rock formations in Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park have been here 535 million years… but hey, your family has been coming here for generations! We are looking for a family with a connection to Chimney Rock spanning decades to be on the "official first ride" of the elevator at our grand reopening celebration in late May or June. A child, parent, grandparent – and even great-grandparent – from the winning family will be invited for the special elevator ride. The family will also receive a $100 gift certificate for retail in the Sky Lounge or Cliff Dwellers Gift Shops, a $100 gift certificate for the Old Rock Café and a free Annual Pass or one-year renewal for each immediate family member.

See our contest page to learn more and submit by Wednesday, May 16 to win!

Withdrawal from the Old Rock's delicious grilled sandwiches, soups and salads has been hard, but now the restaurant is back open! The Old Rock Café, located in Chimney Rock Village and operated by the Park, reopened March 10 after an extensive winter renovation. We redesigned, repainted, replaced equipment and paneling in the kitchen and replaced the carpet in the dining room. Now we're looking better than ever and ready for your business! Café hours are Thursday to Monday, 11am-4pm through March. Starting April 1, we will be open 7 days/week. Read about Old Rock Café and check out our great menu.

March 7, 2012 - Grady and all his friends are gearing up to educate hundreds of kids this spring. We're adding an exciting new offering to our programs – Birds of Prey! The juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk, seen right with her original trainer Sarah Lisi, was rehabilitated by students and staff at Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute at Lees-McRrae College. Thanks to their efforts the hawk was saved but is non-releasable because one of its wings was broken and then healed before it was found.

Its wing injury was likely caused by being hit by a car, reminding us to never throw trash, even food waste that is compostable, out of our cars while driving down the road! Little critters who feast on these roadside scraps attract predators that are at risk of getting injured by passing cars. Come learn what you can do to help our feathered friends... check back on our Education page for upcoming raptor programs that will be open to the public.

Everyone probably remembers the Beatles’ I Get “By With a Little Help From My Friends.” The Friends of Chimney Rock State Park – a new “Friends” group designed to aid in fundraising and volunteer work – are now forming and are calling on a little help from you. The first Friends meeting was March 1 and had a superb turnout of more than 65 people! The Friends group is open to anyone, regardless of age or background, interested in the Park and its preservation and outdoor recreational opportunities. They will be organizing a membership structure and setting goals, including fundraising, education, trail building and trail maintenance. In doing so, they will work with Park staff to further the park’s mission.

To join or get more information, download the Friends of Chimney Rock State Park's two-page Brochure & Membership Application form. You may also "like" their Facebook page to follow their progress! Read the recent article in the Asheville Citizen-Times.

You may have seen a chopper hovering over the Chimney recently and wondered "what's going on?" On February 27, a helicopter flew into the Park for its third operation to airlift construction materials and place structural steel columns into the footings that will support the new stairways. After last winter’s trail improvements, the remaining stairways are being replaced on the Outcroppings trail that leads to/from the Chimney. The old stairs have been removed and new concrete footings have been poured by Taylor & Murphy Construction Co. of Asheville. Check out the progress photo to the right! Unseasonably warm weather this winter has fueled progress on Chimney Rock’s winter capital improvements, which began this past December.

Rest rooms Renovation. Williams Construction of Robinsville, N.C. is currently renovating the Park’s rest rooms on the Meadows and in the top parking lot to make them handicap accessible. Since the project began in early December, well-maintained portable toilets are provided for guests’ convenience. Work on both sets of rest rooms is scheduled to be completed by early April 2012. Every effort is being made to preserve the remarkable nature murals on the rest rooms’ interior walls, and after the rest rooms are updated, professional artist Clive Haynes will return to touch up the paintings.

Read more about our capital improvements, including winter hours and admission rates.

February 2, 2012 - Ready for his big day, Grady emerged from his den and DID see his shadow at 10:45am at Chimney Rock. According to the tradition, this means six more weeks of winter are ahead. But if it's six more weeks of the weather we've had so far this winter, we're in for a treat! About 65 people attended Grady's Groundhog Day, including the second grade class and principal of Mount Vernon-Ruth Elementary School, Chimney Rock’s adopted school from Forest City, N.C.

We're celebrating Grady during the month of February by offering his Grady's Kids Club Passes for just $8! Don't miss this great special.

See photos of Grady on Groundhog Day via Facebook.
Learn about Grady and other groundhogs on YouTube.

Excited to meet Grady the Groundhog?
Come visit the Park and say hi to the Chimney Rock celebrity at Grady's Animal Discovery Den in the Meadows. He lives here with his woodland friends, which include an opossum, snakes and turtles.

The Pisgah Friday crew of the Carolina Mountain Club (CMC), a group of about 20 volunteers from Hendersonville, will be conducting trail improvements on Fridays at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park. Their first work day is Friday, January 27, and they will continue for at least a couple weeks, weather dependent. Most of the work will be done on the Hickory Nut Falls trail, which is visited by up to 200,000 hikers each year. The CMC volunteer group will assist with clearing invasive tree species, making repairs for erosion control and improving the trail surfaces to provide a better hiking experience to visitors.

It Keeps Them Young. Trial maintenance can be hard work. You might be surprised that – while CMC’s volunteer crew members range from their 30s to 86 years of age – many in the Pisgah Friday crew are in their 60s and 70s and going strong. “Trail maintenance keeps us young and active. We enjoy the camaraderie that comes out of it,” said Pete Petersen with the Pisgah Friday crew of Carolina Mountain Club. “Even our wives are happy we’re away for a day. Everybody wins!”

The Pisgah Friday crew usually works on the trails in the Pisgah National Forest and Mountains-to-Sea trail, but the Carolina Mountain Club is interested in a new partnership with Chimney Rock to help maintain this iconic natural resource in WNC. For anyone interested in volunteering, e-mail Pete Petersen or visit www.carolinamountainclub.org.

Chimney Rock has been awarded a Viva America 2012 Pick, one of only 5 attractions honored in North Carolina! According to Viva America, the Park was selected thanks to consistent visitors’ reviews that the Park “offers a unique, one-of-a-kind experience” with a “genuine effort to provide every visitor with an amazing experience.” Check out the handmade award to the right. For more details on Viva America and Chimney Rock’s award, visit www.vivaamerica.com.

Learn about the natural wonders and incredible hikes that Chimney Rock has to offer. Visit NC goes behind the scenes to show us what makes the Park so special, from beautiful scenery and rock climbing to educational programs. Check out the video!

Chimney Rock brings the best of the mountains together in one place. Stand atop the 315-foot Chimney Rock and see amazing 75-mile views of Hickory Nut Gorge, Lake Lure and the Carolina Piedmont. Along its unique hiking trails the Park has something for everyone, from the family-friendly Great Woodland Adventure to the more adventurous Four Seasons trail, climbing more than 400 feet. Venture out on the Hickory Nut Falls trail and be rewarded at the 404-foot falls, the highest waterfall on the east coast. Chimney Rock also offers guided rock climbing lessons for beginner to advanced climbers. Whether you're bringing a group for a day full of adventure or your pet for a quiet hike, get ready to be amazed by the natural beauty of Chimney Rock!

Visiting the Park during discounted winter admission rates? Save more money by upgrading your admission tickets to Annual Passes for only $11/adult and $4/youth (ages 6-15) within 30 days of purchase. Buy your upgrades online, call 800-277-9611 or show your receipt at the Ticket Plaza on your next visit within 30 days.

In December 2011, the N.C. Council of State approved the purchase of 1,222 acres at Rumbling Bald Mountain to expand Chimney Rock State Park by more than 20 percent. The purchase continues a pre-arranged schedule of the state park expansion funded through dedicated sources approved by the General Assembly in 2007.

"Our parks are such an important part of tourism in our state, which is our second largest industry," said Lt. Governor Dalton. “I am thrilled Chimney Rock Park will be expanded and additional lands protected for generations to come."

It has "everything to offer, from low and high elevations, rock outcroppings, interesting plants and recreation opportunities. It’s a gift that the whole state will be able to enjoy," said Debbie Crane, conservancy communications director at The Nature Conservancy.

Read more about the expansion in the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Getting to the top of Chimney Rock is sometimes harder than you think—especially if you’re hauling almost 50 thousand pounds up the mountainside! On November 24, Thanksgiving Day, a helicopter hovered above the iconic chimney, carefully threading a 1,000lb load dangling from a 300-foot rope between large trees into a drop zone on the upper mountain. The helicopter, piloted by Mike Provost of Pirate Airlift based in Atlanta, GA, airlifted 45 loads of supplies, including construction materials and equipment, from the Park’s top parking lot to two drop locations adjacent to the Outcroppings trail that leads to the Chimney. The fly-in operation was completed by early afternoon, just in time for a late Thanksgiving lunch! Check out more photos at our Facebook photo album.

The materials are being stored off the trail and should not interfere with guests hiking on the Outcroppings trail. The construction supplies will be used to begin replacing the Outcroppings trail stairways on December 5, 2011, to improve access to the Chimney. This winter improvement project will result in the temporary closure of public access to the Chimney and points of interest above, such as the Opera Box, Devil’s Head and Exclamation Point until spring 2012. At the same time as the grand reopening of our elevator in spring 2012, the new and improved Outcroppings stairways will accommodate more traffic, offer a better guest experience and help maintain access for future generations!

For more information about winter hours, discounted admission and areas open to the public this winter, please visit our Progress page.

In an ongoing effort to maintain Chimney Rock as one of the Southeast’s premier outdoor destinations, the Park elevator is currently out of service and undergoing a complete modernization, which is scheduled to be completed and resume service to the public in spring 2012. On December 5, the Chimney was closed to the public for winter capital improvements, including the replacement of the remaining stairs on the Outcroppings trail. The iconic Chimney and features above it on the Skyline trail –the Opera Box, Devil’s Head and Exclamation Point – will be closed until spring 2012 when the elevator modernization and Outcroppings trail replacement are completed. Admission rates have been reduced during this period. We appreciate your understanding and hope you enjoy your visit.

Elevator Modernization. The original Park elevator came into service in 1948 – 63 years ago – and although it was fully renovated in the mid-80s, it is again due for improvements. Nearly every part, including the original elevator car, will be upgraded or replaced to increase reliability, speed and capacity, and to preserve access to the Chimney for everyone, including guests who are unable to hike the Outcroppings trail. During the elevator modernization project, the Sky Lounge Gift Shop & Deli will be completely renovated as well.

“Elevator technology and service have vastly improved since the last major modernization. There’s no ideal time to perform this work, but we believe many of our guests are up to the challenge of hiking to the top. The reward for hiking the Outcroppings trail to reach Chimney Rock’s summit is a genuine sense of pride and accomplishment – and the spectacular views are well worth the effort,” said Mary Jaeger-Gale, the Park’s general manager.

The upper section of the Outcroppings staircase was replaced last winter to enable two-way traffic, accommodate more guests and offer safer, easier egress from the Chimney area. This improvement project helps preserve crucial access to the Park’s natural history while improving the guest experience. Read more on the Park’s progress on Capital Improvements.

“We have greatly appreciated everyone’s patience as we improve access to Chimney Rock State Park’s core attraction. Guests are excited about getting to the mountain top again to enjoy the Park’s stunning views. It’s the best way to see some of the most beautiful sights in the Park while burning a few calories along the way,” said Jaeger-Gale.

Chimney Rock is continuing to offer events to enhance guest experience during improvements, such as Santa on the Chimney on December 3 and 10 and workshops and free guided hikes in early 2012. Click here for more info.

At Chimney Rock, we do everything we can to be green and help protect the environment. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that our Park has become the first among America’s state and national parks to offer PepsiCo’s Dream Machine recycling program. The recycling initiative, one of many eco-friendly practices at Chimney Rock, provides guests with a convenient and rewarding way to recycle their bottles and cans while on-the-go. The Dream Machine is located in the Park’s top parking lot. To learn more about the Dream Machine, visit www.facebook.com/DreamMachine.

To commemorate America Recycles Day on November 15, Chimney Rock is helping support the goal of increasing beverage container recycling rates to 50 percent by 2018. Since 2010, almost 500 Dream Machine kiosks and 2,000 bins have been placed; recycling programs have been run in more than 550 schools in 32 states; and about nine million containers and more than 450,000 pounds of plastic bottles and aluminum cans have been recycled.

Supporting our Veterans. This recycling initiative helps America's heroes, too! For all the bottles and cans recycled in our Dream Machine kiosk – and in Dream Machine kiosks across the nation – the more support PepsiCo will provide to the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, a national program offering free experiential training in small business management to post-9/11 U.S. veterans with disabilities.

Eco-Friendly Initiatives. Chimney Rock State Park’s mission is to conserve and protect ecological features and recreational resources, offer environmental education and promote stewardship of natural resources. Chimney Rock’s Green Team continuously strives to achieve greener practices in the Park’s operations. The Dream Machine recycling program is just one of the Park’s many eco-friendly practices, which include the following:
- Recycling co-mingled materials locally
- Using compact fluorescent lighting (CFLs) in public areas
- Using limited local produce when in-season at the Old Rock Café
- Serving food and beverages in compostable containers made from plant-based or recycled materials
- Reusing thousands of trail maps annually
- Providing environmental education programs to schoolchildren and the public

November 15, 2011- In the photo to the right, check out the new wooden decking that was recently installed on the clear-span bridge to the Sky Lounge Gift Shop & Deli. The construction crew added new pickets to the existing guardrails for improved safety. The Sky Lounge is also being updated to meet state regulations. Inside, the fireproof vestibule around the elevator and renovation of the ADA-compliant rest rooms has been completed.

Work is nearing completion on replacing the 26-story, metal evacuation staircase located behind the elevator. After that project is done, the entire elevator will be modernized and nearly every part, including the original elevator car, will be replaced. After the remaining stairs on the Outcroppings trail are replaced this winter, the elevator and Sky Lounge are scheduled to reopen to the public in spring 2012. For more information on our capital improvements progress, click here.

The Master Plan was completed in May 2011 and released July 2011 by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Division of Parks and Recreation. Although there’s no clear timeline attached to these plans and proposed additions, Chimney Rock is excited about what’s in plan for the Park — down the road and in the near future!

Click here for a link to the Master Plan Executive Summary (please be patient as it loads).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS for the new Master Plan for Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park

Note: The FAQs below relate only to the attraction of Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park. The entire Master Plan and other information related to the non-fee areas of Chimney Rock State Park can be found online at: www.ncparks.gov.

1. When will the Master Plan and its proposed changes be implemented?
The Master Plan is presented as a 100-year vision, 25-year master plan and 5-year action plan. There is no clearly established timeline for the proposed changes and new facilities and trails in the Master Plan. The plan is fluid, organic and subject to budgets, funding and many other factors.

2. Will the Skyline trail from Exclamation Point to the top of Hickory Nut Falls be reopened?
Yes, we are thrilled that our guests will again be able to see out to the top of the Falls! But it will differ from the original trail, which is not sustainable. A new alignment for the Skyline trail will be established from Exclamation Point along the top of Chimney Rock Mountain. The proposed trail will be constructed inside the existing tree line and not on the cliff faces. However, observation platforms will be constructed to provide views of the top of Hickory Nut Falls, Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.

3. Will the Cliff trail, as originally constructed, be reopened?
No, but the Cliff trail could be opened in the future in cooperation with a contractor who guides adventure tours, such as a via ferrata.

4. Will other features around the Chimney, including Pulpit Rock, the Subway, the Grotto and Needles Eye, be reopened?
Pulpit Rock, the Subway, and the Grotto will be reopened as trail destinations after structural improvements are made to the boardwalk and trails. The Needles Eye does not fit state requirements and has been assessed as unsustainable, so it will remain closed.

5. Will there be new hiking trails added to Chimney Rock State Park?
In addition to restoring access to the trails and features that you know as Chimney Rock, a 15-mile, multi-day trail will be constructed along the perimeter of Chimney Rock Mountain, connecting Hickory Nut Falls, the Orchards, the ridges of Sugarloaf Mountain, World’s Edge, and Cane Creek Mountain, the Bottomless Pools and the Meadows. See the Master Plan at www.ncparks.gov for more information about this trail and others proposed for the greater Chimney Rock State Park and the Hickory Nut Gorge region.

As the new master plan is unveiled, construction projects are underway to improve and continue providing access to Chimney Rock. For more information on our capital improvements, visit chimneyrockpark.com/progress.

Family Adventure Awaits! From June 22 through December 31, 2011, kids 15 and under are admitted free to Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park when they redeem one 12oz. Sierra Mist Natural can with the special offer printed on it. One free Youth admission (with redemption of specially marked Sierra Mist cans) with each full price adult admission. Not valid with any other offer or discount.

We're excited to report that Santa's practice sessions on our Chimney were featured on Yahoo Travel UK. Check it out!

December 1, 2010 -- In order for Chimney Rock to remain the premier core attraction for this unique North Carolina State Park, it will undergo construction beginning December 1 to improve accessibility and upgrade some of its trails. Chimney Rock will remain open to visitors during construction and its lower trails and many points of interest will be accessible.

“There’s never a convenient time to make improvements, but it’s exciting to think about the long-term effects of these projects on the future of the park. These ongoing upgrades preserve access to the park’s natural history while improving guest experience,” said Mary Jaeger-Gale, the park’s general manager.

Over the winter, a section of the Outcroppings, the trail that leads from the parking lot to the Chimney area, will be replaced, providing easier access to the Chimney and points of interest above, like the Opera Box, Devil’s Head and Exclamation Point. The section to be replaced is just below the Chimney and currently allows for only one-way traffic. After construction, the new trail and stairway will accommodate more guests and offer better egress from the Chimney area. Without a required secondary egress, the elevator will be out of service during Outcroppings construction, making the Chimney inaccessible over the winter.

“It's not unusual for the parks system to shut down portions of parks for major capital projects – construction of the new observation deck at Mount Mitchell required us to close the summit for more than a year, and a marina renovation at Carolina Beach closed that facility for even longer,” said Charlie Peek, spokesman for the state park system. “We're making a special effort to keep Chimney Rock open.”

Areas of the park that remain accessible throughout improvements include: Hickory Nut Falls trail, Cliff Dwellers Gifts and the Meadows area including the Great Woodland Adventure, Four Seasons trail, Grady’s Animal Discovery Den, Classroom on the Meadows and the covered picnic pavilion. Chimney Rock is also planning a variety of programs and events to enhance guest experience during improvements.

After this project is complete in early spring, the park’s 26-story elevator will be modernized, increasing reliability, speed and capacity, and the Sky Lounge facility will be renovated. Access by trail to the top of the mountain, including the Chimney, will return at this time.

“It’s simply time to make these improvements so our kids and grandkids, and their kids and grandkids, can enjoy making memories here for another century,” Jaeger-Gale said. “It’s akin to making improvements to your home. At some point, the roof must be replaced. While it may not be opportune, it has to be done.”

Rates will be reduced during improvements. Winter admission is $9 for adults and $4 for youth ages 6 through 15. Children under 6 are admitted free. When the Hickory Nut Falls trail is closed, adult admission is $5 and kids under 16 are admitted free. Winter hours are Thursday–Monday 10am to 6pm with the Ticket Plaza closing at 4:30pm. Both the park and Old Rock Café, located in Chimney Rock Village near the park’s entrance, will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In the event of inclement weather, check the park’s website for opening status. The park will be open every day from December 26, 2010 to January 2, 2011 including New Year’s Day.

Get more information on improvement projects at chimneyrockpark.c om/progress or by calling 800-277-9611.

Cub Scout Pack 659, from the Polk County, North Carolina area, raised the flag on Chimney Rock this morning in honor of Veteran's Day.

Color guard included: Sandra Poteat (Cubmaster)and Ed Harrelson (Weebelos Leader) and Weebelos Alex Harrelson, Caleb Potter and Josh Poteat (ages 9-10). Participating scouts included: Eric Harrelson, Lukas Tipton, Colin Searcy, Sebastian Potter, Riley Searcy, Logan Conner, Josh Munn, Michael Morgan and Trey Thompson (ages 6-9).

"We teach our boys all about the flag and what it represents and we encourage them to be good citizens. Also, one of the pack's requirements is to understand the special days you should display your flag. As they grow up, they will always remember raising the flag on Chimney Rock that can be seen for miles and miles," says Sandra Poteat, Cubmaster.

From the Foothills Conservancy Blog:

On Tuesday, September 28, the Blue Ridge Forever coalition of nine land trusts announced that it expects to exceed its five-year campaign goal to protect 50,000 acres in Western North Carolina. As property transactions are completed before the end of this year, the coalition expects to surpass the target by as much as 8,000 acres. Of the 50,000 acres, 7,975 are in the eight counties served by Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina.

“We had to overcome untold obstacles to reach this goal, working quickly to protect the places we all love in Western North Carolina before they were lost to development,” said Susie Hamrick Jones, Foothills Conservancy’s executive director. “But, whenever the goal seemed too lofty, our treasured mountains, forests, farmland and streams inspired us to press on.”

The land trusts closed on more than 350 projects, during the five years of the campaign. In total these landowners involved donated in excess of $196 million in cash and property value. Their donations leveraged more than $150 million in public and private funding to complete these land acquisitions and conservation agreements.

“North Carolina is a state with vast natural resources and we must not take those assets for granted. Not only do those assets enrich our lives, they are also a key component of our state’s economy,” said Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton. “I’ve had the great privilege of working to protect some of our state’s beauty in the creation of Chimney Rock State Park. I’m proud to mark today’s milestone achievement of protecting another 50,000 acres of Western North Carolina.”

The Southern Appalachian region is the most biologically rich temperate forest in North America, with hundreds of species found nowhere else on earth. Headwater streams in the Blue Ridge provide drinking water to millions of residents in the Southeast – water that is kept cleaner when land around its sources is protected. As a guide for their efforts, the land trusts of Blue Ridge Forever created a Conservation Vision for Western North Carolina to connect protected lands and highlight places containing significant ecological qualities, important wildlife habitat, high quality water, and cultural treasures.

“For millennia the Blue Ridge has been among the most important places conserving biodiversity in the temperate world. Here one can find relicts of the past, like Oconee Bells and the highest diversity of salamanders, trillium and wild gingers anywhere on the planet. There is a reason for this – when it works in the way it has in the past, this place is resilient, resilient to change. Through the work of the Blue Ridge Forever coalition of land trusts we can count on our little slice of heaven remaining a crucible of life in the face of change and an engine of biodiversity for eastern North America,” said Patrick McMillan, Clemson University naturalist and host of ETV’s series Expeditions.

During the five-year campaign, Foothills Conservancy protected key areas in the Blue Ridge Foothills with projects including the acquisition of Chimney Rock Park to be added to the State Parks system, expansions of existing parks, and the preservation of four miles of National Wild and Scenic Wilson Creek.

In addition to the natural amenities of Western North Carolina, the region is also rich with a strong farming tradition. Farming is a vibrant industry in our mountains with nearly 13,000 working farms. During the course of the campaign the land trusts have protected 70 working farms bringing the total WNC farms they have protected to 125.

“The protection of good agricultural lands is vital to the future of farming in our mountains and in our state,” said Bill Yarborough, special assistant to North Carolina’s Commissioner of Agriculture. “Once a farm becomes a housing development it will likely never again be worked.”

Foothills Conservancy’s work during the campaign also includes nearly 600 acres protected by agricultural conservation agreements on working and historic farmlands.

The coalition was able to achieve these impressive protection numbers by creating a landscape-scale vision and sharing resources, expertise and time on projects.

While the campaign’s success is a critical milestone, Foothills Conservancy and the other coalition’s members know their work is far from over. Many important places in the Blue Ridge Mountains are still at risk of development.

“Our 50,000-acre campaign is evidence of what we can accomplish together,” said Jones. “The campaign goal may have been met, but there is much more work to be done. Once our celebration is over it is back to work protecting our Southern Blue Ridge Mountains together.”

Blue Ridge Forever is a coalition campaign led by nine local land trusts and national conservation organizations to raise public awareness and financial resources to safeguard land and water in the Southern Blue Ridge for present and future generations. The coalition works in local communities to ensure that critical lands are protected for clean drinking water, recreation, wildlife habitats, tourism, and working farms. To learn more, visit www.blueridgeforever.info.

Blue Ridge Forever members: Blue Ridge Conservancy, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, Conservation Trust for North Carolina, Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Land Trust for the Little Tennessee, National Committee for the New River, Pacolet Area Conservancy, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

National Advisors: The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy (NC Chapter), Trust for Public Land

We're excited to be the host of Pardee Hospital's 2nd Hike to Health on Saturday, October 23 at 9am.

On Saturday, September 18, we hosted a special sunrise breakfast for our Annual Passholders. Below, you'll find some images from the event.

We're excited to partner with Pardee Hospital for this fall's "Hike to Health." Pardee first hosted the event back in June and it was such a success they've decided to bring it to Chimney Rock in October. Here's a sneak peak at what is in the works from the Pardee Hospital blog. Stay tuned for more info.

Men's 5K Run Overall Results:
Men’s 5K Run

Women's 5K Run Overall Results:
Women’s 5K Run

Men's 7K Cycling Time Trial Overall Results:
Men’s 7K Cycling Time Trial

Women's 7K Cycling Time Trial Overall Results:
Women’s 7K Cycling Time Trial

Here's a slide show of images from the finish line!

Check out the images from the Asheville Mushroom Club's recent visit to Chimney Rock. The club is working with NC State Parks and Chimney Rock education staff to develop an inventory of all the different types of mushrooms found in the Park.

This morning, a crew from Aircrane Inc. out of Atlanta, GA airlifted two reservoir tanks and a base from the meadows area at mid-mountain to their new site near the Sky Lounge on the side of Chimney Rock Mountain. This is one of many capital improvements North Carolina State Parks has planned for Chimney Rock.

“When you’re a mountain attraction, no project is simple,” said PR and Events Manager Meghan Rogers. The upgrade to the reservoir system began several months ago when crews built the framework for their foundations. Next, workers had the challenging task of moving concrete more than 300 vertical feet up the mountainside before it set.

The reservoirs serve as the main water supply for facilities on the top of the mountain including the Sky Lounge, Cliff Dwellers Gifts and the upper restrooms.

Rogers continued, “It was an impressive sight watching the helicopter hover above Chimney Rock. The pilot and crew were amazing, not to mention efficient; they made the three trips in about two hours.”

Click here to view more photos.

Birthdays are special, so to make your day even brighter we're offering FREE one-day admission on your birthday. Offer valid on birthday only and does not apply to other guests in party; must show a valid ID. This complimentary admission cannot be upgraded and is not good for next day re-entry.

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is excited to announce that a pair of Peregrine Falcons has successfully nested in the Park. Two juvenile falcons, one male and one female, have been spotted near the nesting site high on the Park’s cliffs.

Avid birder and contributor to Chimney Rock’s education department, Reese Mitchell, spotted the birds this morning (June 9, 2010).

“They engaged in a lot of ‘play,’ diving at each other and chasing. The male did most of the ‘attacking’ as he is more agile than the female and flew faster,” noted Mitchell.

In 1984, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission reintroduced Peregrines to Western North Carolina and the birds have been documented nesting in Chimney Rock almost continuously since 1989. They were absent in 1995 and 1996, but returned in 1997.

Until this year, only once was a pair successful in raising chicks in Chimney Rock. In 1990, three chicks fledged and were raised in the Park by their Peregrine parents. Chimney Rock is the only state park currently known to have a successful breeding pair this year.

The Peregrine Falcon was removed from the US Endangered Species List in 1999, and although it remains on the FSC (Federal Species of Concern) List, its numbers have increased throughout the Southeast and Western North Carolina and it was also removed from the North Carolina Endangered Species List in 2007.

It is a large, crow-sized falcon, with a blue-gray back, barred white underparts and a black head and "moustache." Peregrines have been clocked at speeds over 200 mph in a stoop (dive) making them the fastest creatures on the planet.

Our friends at Possum Hollow Farms came out to Bark in the Park (held April 24) to demonstrate sheep herding with working dogs. Check out the video below.

March 2010 -- America's largest home is once again North Carolina's most visited historic attraction, according to the annual attendance rankings compiled by Carolina Publishing Associates.

Biltmore, the lavish Vanderbilt house and gardens on a mountainside in Asheville, once again attracted more than a million visitors. A total of 1,038,348 guests visited during 2009, only a slight decline from the 2008 attendance total of 1,070,900.

"A visit to Biltmore is an extraordinary experience and an escape from everyday life," said Julie Hanser, Vice President of Attraction Marketing for Biltmore. "We believe those qualities have really resonated with people even during these tough economic times."

Newcomers to the 2009 top 25 museums and historic attractions list include the Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh and Hickory's Catawba Science Center.

Nine of the top 25 museums and historic sites are located in the coastal area, while six of the top 25 are in the mountains. The Raleigh-Durham Chapel Hill triangle has five listings.

The Top 25 North Carolina museums and historic attractions survey is conducted annually by Carolina Publishing Associates of Matthews, publishers of the annual Carolina Heritage Guide, Carolina Field Trips Magazine and The African American Heritage and Visitor's Guide.

The top 10 most visited museum and historic attractions, along with their 2009 attendance numbers, were: 1. Biltmore, Asheville 1,038,348; 2. Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach 818,704; 3. North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro 748,417; 4. NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh 670,264; 5. Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Kure Beach, 575,581; 6. Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills 478,480; 7. Discovery Place, Charlotte 454,053; 8. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Kure Beach, 453,715; 9. NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, Atlantic Beach, 403,769 and 10. NC Museum of Life and Science, Durham 400,486.

Rounding out the top 25 were 11. North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville 371,884; 12. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Manteo 339,556; 13. NC Museum of History, Raleigh 324,679; 14. NC Aquarium at Roanoke Island, Manteo 290,000; 15. Natural Science Center, Greensboro 278,858; 16. Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh, 260,263; 17. Grandfather Mountain, Linville 235,029; 18. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort, 216,516; 19. Cherokee Cultural District, Cherokee 211,265; 20. Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington 211,234; 21. Chimney Rock State Park, Chimney Rock 206,983; 22. Catawba Science Center, Hickory 204,309; 23. Linville Caverns, Marion 167,431; 24. Morehead Planetarium, Chapel Hill 161,416; and 25. Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo 141,899.

SOURCE Carolina Publishing Associates

Recently, Jamarcus Gaston from WSPA's Scene on 7 featured Chimney Rock's ornithologist Simon Thompson in the "Cool Jobs Series." Check it out below.

September 2009 -- The Associated Press and ABC News recently including Chimney Rock's Hickory Nut Falls as one of the best places in North Carolina to see fall foliage and waterfalls. We're thrilled to be part of this list of beautiful places in Western North Carolina. Click here to check out the story.

Our former Naturalist Clint Calhoun recently captured a timber rattlesnake courtship dance. This ritual is rarely seen by humans. Many thanks to Clint for allowing us to share this video with you.

The above video was shot in the Hickory Nut Gorge area and shows two males competing for a nearby female. The males do not injure each other, rather continue to writhe around trying to dominate until one finally gives up.

Here's more information about timber rattlesnake young from the very knowledgeable folks at the St. Louis Zoo:

The female gives birth to live young in late summer or early fall. A litter may have anywhere from five to 14 snakelings, with eight being the average. Newborns are about 10 to 13 inches long, and are somewhat lighter in color than adults.

Babies are born with a single tiny rattle segment (called a button) on their tail. Each time the skin is shed, a new segment is added to the base of the tail. You'd think this means the rattle will grow longer and longer throughout a snake's lifetime. But no! As the rattle becomes longer, the end pieces become weak and break off.

Female timber rattlesnakes, and some other pit vipers, keep close watch over their young, a trait that's rather unusual among snakes. Female timber rattlers even lay scent trails to help their offspring find winter dens.

Source St. Louis Zoo website.

July 2009 -- We're excited to be one of the North Carolina locations featured in National Geographic Traveler's "Family Vacation Planner." The magazine posted on its website the best places across the nation to take a family with children.

Here's how they describe the Family Vacation Planner: Spice up your family’s travels with this comprehensive collection of memorable local attractions from every state and the District of Columbia. These family-friendly sights and activities were chosen by National Geographic Traveler for their authenticity and lasting value. You’ll find entries grouped by states and by categories of interest—adventure, animals, culture, entertainment, history, nature, and science. Whether they’re in your own backyard or across the country, you’re sure to find a wealth of attractions—many of them free—that your whole family will enjoy.

Click here to see the Chimney Rock listing.

July 2009 -- Jack Betts, an associate editor with the Charlotte Observer, named Chimney Rock as one of the "best places to stand in North Carolina."

On Monday, July 13, the WOKR Antique Car Club visited Chimney Rock. Check out the slideshow of images below.

June 2009 -- Budget Travel picked its favorite eight lake towns across the country and Lake Lure and Chimney Rock made the cut.

MORGANTON, NC – The ridge, summit and slopes of Cane Creek Mountain are now part of the developing Chimney Rock State Park thanks to two acquisitions totaling 330 acres secured by Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina on behalf of the North Carolina state parks system.

Cane Creek Mountain extends the new state park northeast from “Worlds Edge” and offers outstanding views of Chimney Rock, the Pool Creek watershed and Lake Lure. The mountain is also part of the stunning view looking south from Lake Lure and east from Chimney Rock.

Foothills Conservancy negotiated the first purchase agreement a year-and-a-half ago with landowners Bob and Anne Washburn for a pristine 174-acre wilderness tract which was purchased by the state parks system in December. The purchase of 156 adjoining acres from John and Alan Moore was made by Foothills in February, using a loan from The Conservation Fund.

The state completed the acquisition of both tracts last week for addition to Chimney Rock State Park. Funding awards to state parks in 2007 and 2008 by the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the N.C. Natural Heritage Trust Fund made the $6.5 million needed for the purchases possible.

“Lasting protection of Cane Creek Mountain represents another milestone in safeguarding the scenic views and nationally significant natural heritage of Hickory Nut Gorge,” said Tom Kenney, Foothills Conservancy’s land protection director. “We are very grateful for these landowners’ careful stewardship of the land over many years and their wishes to achieve conservation with these sales.”

The federally endangered White irisette plant and a number of other rare plants and animals find shelter on Cane Creek Mountain, part of a nationally significant natural area. The acquisition also protects a N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Wildlife Action Plan priority habitat – forested rock outcrop complex.

Foothills Conservancy has worked closely in western Rutherford County with the state parks system and other conservation partners since 2004 to secure support for and create a new state park in the Hickory Nut Gorge by acquiring priority tracts, including Chimney Rock Park and Cane Creek Mountain.

“Our longstanding partnership with Foothills Conservancy has yielded many benefits both in the Hickory Nut Gorge and elsewhere in western North Carolina,” said Lewis Ledford, state parks director. “Targeted, high quality land acquisitions such as these result in very effective conservation as well as the creation of a world-class state park.”

To date, 4,320 acres have been set aside for the park, with acquisitions supported by the three state conservation trust funds, the N.C. General Assembly and private donors. Foothills Conservancy continues to work with the owners of other tracts that are strategic to this new park.

The only current public access is at Chimney Rock, the former 1,000-acre tourist destination. The state parks system is developing a master plan to guide long-term conservation efforts and development of facilities and access throughout the state park, and public input will be a part of that process.

Foothills Conservancy is a non-profit regional land trust working to protect significant natural areas and open spaces, including watersheds, farms and forests, along the Blue Ridge Escarpment and the Foothills in Rutherford, McDowell, Burke, Caldwell, Alexander, Catawba, Lincoln and Cleveland counties. Find more information about Foothills Conservancy on the web at www.foothillsconservancy.org or by calling 828-437-9930. Foothills Conservancy is also a participant in “Blue Ridge Forever,” a campaign to protect 50,000 acres in the Southern Blue Ridge by 2010.

January 2009 -- In a recent survey of Southern Living Magazine readers from Delaware to Texas, Chimney Rock was named number three for best scenic views.

Click here to view other winners. Thanks Southern Living readers!

December 2008 -- We're excited to be on this very exclusive top ten list from USA Today! Check out the complete article here.

September 2008 -- Chimney Rock was featured on the Our State program on UNC- TV. To view the segment, click here.