2023 is NC State Parks’ Year of the Trail, and we’ll be celebrating with our photo contests all year long. This winter, take some pictures as you hit the trails and send us your best and most creative shots of the Park in the colder months. Each season transforms the six trails of Chimney Rock, and we can’t wait to see the awesome photos you get.

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 of 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 communications@chimneyrockpark.com.
   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 communications@chimneyrockpark.com.

Kick off the new year in Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park during this First Day Hike! Start your morning bright and early with a stroll, hike or bike ride up to the 3.2-mile Park road. Usually restricted to motor vehicle traffic only, there will be no cars in your way if you show up for this special, early morning hike that’s free to participants! Bicyclists are allowed to use the road also on this special morning to climb and descend the steep park road under controlled speed. Helmets are required.

Meet at the Old Rock Café at 8am. Registration is not required. Additional information available at ChimneyRockPark.com.

Though some of our feathered friends have migrated to warmer climates for the season, the Park is home to many year-round residents. Leafless trees are the perfect perches against which to spot many unique species from our spot on the N.C. Birding Trail. Join a local birding expert on this easy hike and learn why the early bird gets the worm.

Our first passholder-exclusive event of the year! Join a naturalist for an intimate hike with fellow passholders in an area of the Park not typically open to the public. This moderate hike traverses our own old growth forest and gives you the opportunity to learn what makes this ecosystem unique. This event is exclusively for Annual Passholders.

Chimney Rock is full of a variety of tree species, deciduous and evergreen alike. But, can you identify our forest trees when they have no leaves? Investigate shape, height, bark type, and more with a naturalist as you learn more about the winter woods.

Prioritize peace as the seasons begin to change. As the natural world awakens and life becomes busy again, de-stress on this meditative hike focused on reconnecting with nature and yourself.

What do llamas say after yoga class? “Llamaste.” What do you call a llama who reads a lot? “Wool-versed.”

Imagine hiking with one of these wooly, camel-like companions. At Llamapalooza, you’ll have a chance to escort llamas on a hike along the Parks’ half-mile Great Woodland Adventure loop trail. During your excursion, you will learn more about the llamas and pose with them for fun photo ops. This event is exclusively for annual passholders.

As spring migratory species make their return journey from their sunny winter hideaways, see how many you can spot from our location on the NC Birding Trail. Bring your binoculars to get a better look at numerous species traveling north through the Park.  Just how many will you add to your list?

Join a Park naturalist on a moderate hike and see Hickory Nut Gorge come alive as spring wildflowers emerge along the trails. The journey will take you along the Hickory Nut Falls Trail and down the Four Seasons Trail as you learn to identify some of our gorgeous spring blooms. Transportation will be provided back to the top lot.

Do you know our staff has a wild side? Join a Park naturalist to meet some of our live Animal Ambassadors and learn about the types of wildlife in the area and their jobs. Some of our best educators have feathers, fur, shells or scales!

Enjoy the quiet of the Park after the gates have closed at this outdoor class led by Namaste in Nature. Enjoy a practice suitable for all levels of expertise as you overlook Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. You won’t find a view like this in any studio!

Enjoy this intimate spring birding walk with a local bird expert and get to know your fellow passholders, too. Scope out some of our many resident species as they enjoy the late spring weather from our spot on the NC Birding Trail. This event is exclusively for Annual Passholders.

Chimney Rock’s Spring Homeschool Day is the perfect way to shake off the winter cobwebs and enjoy the beauty of spring! Join our education team for programs created to engage your student’s interest in the natural world around us. After morning activities conclude, hang out for a fun-filled afternoon in the Park with plenty of ways to expand your experience.

Enjoy the quiet of the Park after the gates have closed at this outdoor class led by Namaste in Nature. Enjoy a practice suitable for all levels of expertise as you overlook Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. You won’t find a view like this in any studio!

Budding spring wildflowers make this an exciting time of year for our guests, staff, and pollinators! Join a naturalist and discover what butterfly species call the Park home, which blooms are their favorites, and what they bring to our ecosystem.

Looking for a weekend of exploration and excitement for your troop? Look no further than our biggest scout event of the year! Enjoy a day of hands-on programming and hikes in the Park. Then, head home or keep the fun going by camping out under the stars.

Registration closes May 10 and is limited to 150 scouts.

Do you know our staff has a wild side? Join a Park naturalist to meet some of our live Animal Ambassadors and learn about the types of wildlife in the area and their jobs. Some of our best educators have feathers, fur, shells or scales!

Enjoy the quiet of the Park after the gates have closed at this outdoor class led by Namaste in Nature. Enjoy a practice suitable for all levels of expertise as you overlook Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. You won’t find a view like this in any studio! 

Hit the trails and celebrate this national holiday, not to mention NC State Park’s Year of the Trail. Join us for guided hikes throughout the day and meet with a ranger to learn the 10 essentials of hiking and backpacking.

Schedule:

Guided Waterfall Hike | 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm

Join a naturalist for this moderate guided hike along the Hickory Nut Falls Trail to the base of one of the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. 1.4 miles round-trip. Meet in front of Cliff Dwellers gift shop.

Guided Family Adventure | 11 am and 1 pm

Kids and kids-at-heart alike will enjoy this easy interactive loop trail with stops at each station allowing for plenty of fun facts, hidden surprises along the way, and a chance to meet some of our animal ambassadors that call the park home. 0.6 miles round-trip. Not stroller friendly. Meet at the Animal Discover Den in the Meadows.

10 Essentials of Hiking and Backpacking

Join State Park Rangers on the Outcroppings Deck to learn more about the vital supplies they recommend taking with you when hiking.

This national holiday celebrates our favorite thing to do… get outdoors! Look for our discovery stations as you hike and learn some cool trail information and history from our naturalists. Plus, look for our friends from Fox Mountain Guides leading rock climbing demonstrations.

Schedule of Events:

Stop and chat with a naturalist at one of our discovery stations as you hike around the Park from 10 am to 3 pm. Or, look for our friends from Fox Mountain Guides past the Cliff Dwellers bathrooms.

Outdoor Ethics | Chimney Level

Meet one of our naturalists and discover how you and your family can have safe and fun outdoor adventures this summer. Learn some of the ways we can work together to leave nature better than we found it, lessen our negative impacts on the environmnet, and enjoy exploring for years to come.

Skins and Skulls | Outcroppings Deck

Welcome to the world of wildlife in Western NC. Through the use of skulls and skins, students will learn what characteristics native animals have and how to identify common wildlife of the area. Bring your problem solving skills to unlock many of their secrets.

Secretive Salamanders | Waterfall

Did you know that 17 percent of the world’s salamanders live in the Southeastern US? We are so lucky to have these special, secretive amphibians inhabiting our region. Students will learn more about salamanders and what they can do to protect and conserve them and their habitats.

Climbing Demonstration by Fox Mountain Guides | Outcroppings Deck

Fox Mountain Guides will be onsite offering free climbing demonstrations for anyone interested ages six years old and up. No experience necessary. All equipment provided.

Join us for one of our favorite passholder events of the year! Enjoy heavy hors d-ourves from the Old Rock Cafe as you watch dusk settle across Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. This exclusive, after-hours event is a great chance to get to know some of your fellow passholders as well. This event is exclusively for Annual Passholders.

NC State Parks is celebrating Juneteenth. Throughout the week, explore our Juneteenth Story Walk on the Great Woodland Adventure trail to learn more about this national holiday and its history.

Join us at the Old Rock Cafe for an evening of food and music overlooking the Rocky Broad River. Local musician Mike Pauer will provide the tunes, and the Old Rock Crew will be cooking up delicious dinner. A portion of proceeds from the evening will go to benefit the Lake Lure Olympiad.

*There is no cost for this event. Menu items at the Old Rock Cafe are priced individually.

This event has been cancelled. There’s nothing like an early summer hike before the Park gates open. Join a local birding expert and spot some of our resident species as they enjoy the morning quiet. This hike is perfect whether you’re a lifelong birder or just getting started with America’s fastest-growing hobby.

Summer is the busiest hiking season of the year, and we’re continuing our celebration of NC State Parks’ Year of the Trail accordingly. Send us your best shots from your summer adventures on the trails. You may even win a prize!

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 of Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park only in areas accessible to guests between July 1, 2023- August 31, 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:
   • Facebook: First, like the Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park page. Next, send us a private message including your contact information specified in rule #3.
   • E-mail: If you don’t have access to social media, you may email your digital photo with your contact information specified in rule #3 to communications@chimneyrockpark.com.
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 communications@chimneyrockpark.com.

Join us at the Old Rock Cafe for an evening of food and music overlooking the Rocky Broad River. Local musician Walter Finley will provide the tunes, and the Old Rock Crew will be cooking up delicious dinner. A portion of proceeds from the evening will go to benefit the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge.

*There is no cost for this event. Menu items at the Old Rock Cafe are priced individually.

Enjoy the quiet of the Park after the gates have closed at this outdoor class led by Namaste in Nature. Enjoy a practice suitable for all levels of expertise as you overlook Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. You won’t find a view like this in any studio!

Spend an enchanted evening at Chimney Rock. Experience the Park after the gates have closed as our friends from Street Creature Puppets lead a workshop on building lanterns from recycled materials. Enjoy a catered cookout from the Old Rock Cafe, then use the lantern you created to join in as they bring the evening forest to life with a magical puppet parade.

Have you ever wondered exactly which varieties of fern line your path as you explore the Park? What role do they play among other plant species in Hickory Nut Gorge? Join a naturalist and hike to Hickory Nut Falls through a fern-filled forest, then learn more about our famous waterfall itself.

Join us as we celebrate World Ranger Day! Our Park Rangers work hard to keep our parks and public lands open, safe, and accessible for all. Did you know that many Rangers are also firefighters, EMTs, police officers, and more? Meet a Park Ranger and learn what it takes to do their job at this educational touch-a-truck style program.

Awaken your senses to the natural world on this unique hike. There’s always a lot to see in the forest, but what do you hear? What do you smell? What do you feel? Get ready to experience Chimney Rock in a whole new way on this brand new guided hike. This event is exclusively for Annual Passholders.

Join us at the Old Rock Cafe for an evening of food and music overlooking the Rocky Broad River. Local musician Mike Pauer will provide the tunes, and the Old Rock Crew will be cooking up delicious dinner. A portion of proceeds from the evening will go to benefit Kids in Parks.

*There is no cost for this event. Menu items at the Old Rock Cafe are priced individually.

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. Note: this hike is considered moderately strenuous.

Enjoy the quiet of the Park after the gates have closed at this outdoor class led by Namaste in Nature. Enjoy a practice suitable for all levels of expertise as you overlook Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. You won’t find a view like this in any studio!

Watch as the Park comes alive under the shadow of darkness on this guided evening excursion with a Park naturalist. Do you know which animals come out along the Hickory Nut Falls trail when the sun goes down? Get ready to learn more about the Park’s rarely-seen residents. Note: The Hickory Nut Falls trail is approximately 3/4 of a mile each direction and is considered a moderate trail. Participants must be able to hike the trail out and back. This trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.

Nothing says fall like a weekend at Chimney Rock. Round up your troop for a chance to meet new friends, explore the Park and learn more about the world around us through hands-on programs for all ages. Plus, pack your tent for a chance to sleep under the stars.

Registration closes September 5 and is limited to 150 scouts. The $30 deposit per troop is non-refundable.

Enjoy the quiet of the Park after the gates have closed at this outdoor class led by Namaste in Nature. Enjoy a practice suitable for all levels of expertise as you overlook Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. You won’t find a view like this in any studio! 

Join us in a toast at Chimney Rock Brewing Company to commemorate the newly designated Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail and honor our volunteers. After the toast, stick around for a campfire with s’mores and ghost stories! No registration required.

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.

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.