2023 Events
September
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Wednesday, September 27
Chimney Rock’s Fall Homeschool Day is the perfect chance to get your students outside in the gorgeous fall weather. Hands-on seasonal programs will engage your students and inspire their interest in the outdoors. After lunch, plan to stick around and enjoy what the Park has to offer as the seasons change. Registration closes September 23rd.
Saturday, September 30
Calling all early birds! Rise and shine and hit the trails before Flock to the Rock begins for the best chance to spot more of our feathered friends. The early bird walk was designed to start before the Park opens to ensure participants get the best chance to encounter a variety of native and migrating birds. This hike is considered moderate and is the prelude to the our 15th Annual Flock to the Rock event which starts at 11am. Click here to see what birds you might encounter during your hike.
Saturday, September 30
Break out the binoculars and get ready for our annual feathered frenzy. Flock to the Rock was designed so birders of all skill sets can enjoy one of the country’s fastest growing hobbies – bird watching! This event is held during fall migration for birds and monarch butterflies. As a spot on the NC Birding Trail and a Monarch Waystation, there’s no better place than Chimney Rock to experience these incredible natural phenomena. Bring the whole family for live raptor programs, bird and pollinator activities, intro to birding hikes, and the annual hawk watch from the Chimney. This year we’re celebrating 15 amazing years of Flock to the Rock!
Schedule of Events
10am – 3pm: Birding and Pollinator Activities
Top Parking Lot
Measure your wingspan against some of our local raptors, get creative with a bird-themed craft, and learn about the magic of monarch migration. Plus, meet a Chimney Rock Ranger and get an up-close look at some taxidermies.
10am – 3pm: Hawk Watch
Top of the Chimney
Join us to see how many raptors you can spot over Lake Lure and the surrounding mountains.
10 – 11am: Chimney Rock’s Raptors (Live Bird Program)
Outcroppings Deck
Meet the Park’s five feathered ambassadors and learn about the vital role raptors play in the ecosystem. Plus, find out which of them might be hanging out in your backyard.
11 – 11:30am: Beginning Birding
Meet in front of Cliff Dwellers Gifts
This family-friendly bird walk led by a naturalist is the perfect way to get everyone outdoors, no matter your birding experience level.
12 – 12:45pm: Birds of Prey (Live Bird Program)
Outcroppings Deck
Meet raptors of all shapes and sizes in this program presented by Wings to S.O.A.R, a non-profit that cares for non-releasable birds of prey.
1 – 1:30pm: Beginning Birding
Meet in front of Cliff Dwellers Gifts
This family-friendly bird walk led by a naturalist is the perfect way to get everyone outdoors, no matter your birding experience level.
2 – 2:45pm: Birds of Prey (Live Bird Program)
Outcroppings Deck
Meet raptors of all shapes and sizes in this program presented by Wings to S.O.A.R, a non-profit that cares for non-releasable birds of prey.
2:30 – 3:00pm: Beginning Birding
Meet in front of Cliff Dwellers Gifts
This family-friendly bird walk led by a naturalist is the perfect way to get everyone outdoors, no matter your birding experience level.