For more than a century, spectacular views from atop Chimney Rock have attracted visitors from around the world to Hickory Nut Gorge. Over the years, the Morse family added many amenities and facilities to the Park to make the mountain and its 535-million-year-old natural wonder accessible to all visitors. Continued maintenance, updates and major improvements are an essential part of the Park’s operation and preservation. After the state of North Carolina acquired the Park in 2007, it was determined that this spirit of progress must continue for Chimney Rock to remain the premier core attraction for this unique North Carolina State Park.

*Final Master Plan Released for Chimney Rock State Park!

Click here for FAQs & links to the master plan.

2011-12 Capital Improvements

Click here to read the most recent press release.

April 23, 2012 — Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park, one of the Southeast’s most iconic and popular outdoor travel destinations, reopened the Outcroppings trail on April 14, 2012. The rebuilt trail 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. The projects, construction timeline, trail closures, reduced admission and Park hours are explained below.

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.

PLEASE NOTE: The elevator and Sky Lounge will remain closed until late spring (i.e. late May to mid-June) 2012. A date will be announced on the homepage when the opening is scheduled.

IMPORTANT: THE PARK WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING ALL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

Replacement of the Outcroppings Trail to the Chimney

• Construction Dates: December 5, 2011 to April 13, 2012
• Replacing existing stairs from the top parking lot level up to the bottom of the new stairs completed in April 2011. The new stairways are necessary to accommodate more traffic, improve egress and maintain access to the Chimney for future generations.
• Check out our Outcroppings Trail Reopening Day photos

Elevator Modernization and Sky Lounge Gift Shop & Deli Renovation

• Construction Dates: Spring 2011 to Late Spring (i.e. late May to mid-June) 2012
• The elevator, which opened in 1948 and provides convenient access to the Chimney, is undergoing a complete modernization designed to increase its reliability. Construction on the 26-story metal evacuation stairs is complete, and work on replacing the elevator itself is nearing completion. The Sky Lounge Gift Shop & Deli has been renovated and its restrooms updated to make them wheelchair accessible.

Definitions: The Outcroppings trail is the trail from the top parking lot to the Chimney area. The Skyline trail leads from the Chimney level to the Opera Box, Devil’s Head and Exclamation Point. The Sky Lounge is the Gift Shop and Deli at the top of the elevator. Cliff Dwellers Gifts is located at the top parking lot.

Reduced Admission Due to Closures Through Spring 2012: Reduced admission rates effective April 14 will be $12/adult, $5/youth (ages 6-15) and free for kids under 6.

Open 7 Days a Week: The Park is open seven days a week, 8:30am-7pm; the Ticket Plaza closes at 5:30pm. In case of inclement weather, check the Park’s website for opening status.

Rest Rooms Renovation Completed. After a winter renovation to our Park rest rooms on the Meadows and top parking lot wheelchair accessible, they are now back open. New sustainable fixtures include waterless urinals, low-flow toilets, low-flow faucets with automatic shutoff and automated hand dryers. New sinks and partitions also have been installed. The elaborate interior paintings by Park muralist Clive Haynes have been preserved.

Old Rock Café Improvements Completed. 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. The Old Rock is open seven days a week, 11am-4pm; hours change seasonally. Read about Old Rock Café and check out our delicious menu.

Friends of Chimney Rock State Park. Want to help the Park create more outdoor recreational opportunities? Join the Friends of Chimney Rock State Park by visiting their Facebook page or downloading a membership application.

Added Value for Guests.  Chimney Rock is continuing to offer events to enhance guest experience during improvements, and workshops and free guided hikes will be offered this year. Check out the 2012 Events Calendar.

Great Deals on Annual Passes.  Guests who visit the Park during discounted admission rates can save money by upgrading their admission tickets to Annual Passes for only $11 for adults and $4 for youth (ages 6-15) within 30 days of purchasing admission. This way you could get an adult Annual Pass for as low as $16! Buy your upgrade by calling 800-277-9611 or show your receipt at the Ticket Plaza on your next visit within 30 days. Upgrade prices will increase when the elevator reopens.