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.

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*

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]

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.

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.

***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.

The park is full of spring blooms and signs of the season to come. Break out your cameras and share your best snapshots of whatever spring views you come across and you could win prizes! See 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:

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 April 1, 2024– May 31, 2024.
   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 [email protected].
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 [email protected].

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.

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.

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.

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.

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]

Spend a weekend of adventure in the park with your scouts! Enjoy hands on programming, hikes, and more at our biggest Scout event of the year. Head home after a great day in the park or spend the night camping under the stars. Registration closes April 26 and is limited to 150 scouts.

We love our North Carolina Teachers! This teacher appreciation week, all NC private, public, and charter school teachers receive $2 off adult admission and $1 off youth admission for up to six people in the same car when they show their teacher ID at the gate.

Are you curious about why birding has become America’s fastest growing hobby? Would you like to identify some of the locals around your backyard birdfeeder? Or are you an expert birder already? Regardless of your birdwatching credentials, this hike is for you. Explore one of the park’s trails with a professional birding guide and learn more about our incredible feathered neighbors.

Bring your homeschoolers for a day of learning and adventure at Chimney Rock. Shed the winter blues with hands-on spring activities and programs led by our education team, then explore the park in the afternoon with lots of ways to enhance your experience.

Why should you never buy something from a llama? He’ll fleece you! What’s more amazing than a talking llama? A spelling bee!

Experience a day hiking with these quirky, woolly companions. Participants will hike around the 0.5-mile Great Woodland Adventure Trail, pose for photo ops, and learn more about these unique animals. The Great Woodland Adventure is considered an easy trail, but it is not appropriate for strollers or wheelchairs. *This event is for Annual Passholder only. No additional guests please.

*Note: This event was rescheduled from March 9th

Do you ever wonder what goes on in the park after dark? Join a guide on the Hickory Nut Falls Trail and learn who comes out in the park when the sun comes down. This moderate hike is the perfect time to learn more about some of the park’s rarely-seen residents.

Celebrate one of our favorite days of the year with a day of guided hikes along Chimney Rock’s six unique trails. Join naturalists throughout the day and learn more about the park’s history, flora, and fauna. Our partners from Waypoint Adventure will also be in the park leading accessible hikes. Full schedule and details below!

Hike Schedule:

Guided Outcroppings Trek | Meet at Cliff Dwellers

10am & 1pm

Take a guided journey to the top of Chimney Rock! This hike climbs 500 stairs past iconic park features like the Grotto, Subway, and Pulpit Rock. Enjoy the reward: the view of Lake Lure from the top.

Guided Waterfall Hike with Waypoint Adventure | Meet at Cliff Dwellers

11am & 2pm

Strike out on this 1.5 mile round-trip hike to stunning Hickory Nut Falls with Chimney Rock staff and Waypoint Adventure. This hike will be accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities. Waypoint Adventure has a variety of off-road hiking wheelchairs, along with a team of trained staff and volunteers to support your needs. Once registered, we will be in touch to discuss specific accommodations and supports. 

Please note: registration is encouraged for this hike if you require support from Waypoint.

11am Signup: https://waypoint-adventure-nc.jumbula.com/OpenEnrollment2024/060124OutdoorHikingNationalTrailsDayChimneyRockStatePark1100am100pm

2pm Signup:

https://waypoint-adventure-nc.jumbula.com/OpenEnrollment2024/060124OutdoorHikingNationalTrailsDayChimneyRockStatePark200pm400pm

Guided Great Woodland Family Adventure | Meet at Animal Discovery Den

12pm & 3pm

This easy hike is perfect for explorers of all ages! Take a guided half-mile stroll along our trail specifically designed for young hikers, and stop by our interactive wildlife-focused stations along the way. Note: this trail is not appropriate for wheelchairs or strollers.

Don’t miss one of our favorite passholder events of the year! Join your fellow passholders for a private, after-hours evening in the park and enjoy catered hors d’oeuvres and drinks from the Old Rock Cafe. There’s nothing like watching dusk fall over Hickory Nut Gorge from Chimney Rock. *This event is exclusively for annual passholders; no additional guests please.*

Explore the park’s newest trail, opened in 2017, with the help of one of our staff naturalists. Trek to Exclamation Point, traverse the ridgetop forest, pass through the highest point in the park, and conclude your journey at the top of Hickory Nut Falls. Plus, learn about the flora and fauna of this trail along the way. Please note, this hike is considered moderate to strenuous.

This holiday highlights one of our favorite things to do: get outdoors! Stop by the park for a day of hiking, outdoor activities, education stations, and more. Our friends from Waypoint Adventures will be on site leading accessible hikes. Full schedule and details below!

Schedule of Events

Rockin’ Raptors | Chimney level

10am – 3pm

Many types of powerful birds of prey call Hickory Nut Gorge home. Stop by to meet a naturalist and learn about the role raptors play in our ecosystem.

Threats and Thorns | Waterfall

10am – 3pm

All plants and animals have special adaptations that help them survive in their environment. But which ones can be harmful to people? Meet a naturalist and learn more.

Climbing Demonstrations by Fox Mountain Guides | Outcroppings Deck

10am – 3pm

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.

What a Ranger Does | Top Parking lot 

11am-1pm

Meet a Chimney Rock State Park Ranger and learn about what a day on the job looks like at this touch-a-truck style station.

Guided hike with Waypoint Adventures | Meet in Top Parking lot

10am and 2pm | Hickory Nut Falls trail

Join Waypoint Adventure and Chimney Rock staff on a moderate hike to one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains: Hickory Nut Falls. 

This hike will be accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities. Waypoint Adventure has a variety of off-road hiking wheelchairs, along with a team of trained staff and volunteers to support your needs. Once registered, we will be in touch to discuss specific accommodations and supports. 

Please note: registration is encouraged for this hike if you require support from Waypoint.

10am Signup: https://waypoint-adventure-nc.jumbula.com/OpenEnrollment2024/060824NationalGetOutdoorsDayChimneyRockStatePark1000pm1200pm

2pm Signup:

https://waypoint-adventure-nc.jumbula.com/OpenEnrollment2024/060824NationalGetOutdoorsDayChimneyRockStatePark200pm400pm

Take a walk along the Riverwalk Trail in Chimney Rock Village and learn about the history and spirit of Juneteenth.

This StoryWalk® will follow the book Juneteenth Jamboree by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Yvonne Buchanan, Publisher Lee & Low Books (October 1, 1995) as you walk along this easy riverside trail.

The story will start just behind the Old Rock Café and end near the Village Bathrooms building. This area is free to the public to access.

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, Vermont. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

Do you ever wonder what goes on in the park after dark? Join a guide on the Hickory Nut Falls Trail and learn who comes out in the park when the sun comes down. This moderate hike is the perfect time to learn more about some of the park’s rarely-seen residents.

Do you love fishing? Are you new to it or curious about learning how? Come fishing with Chimney Rock Park Rangers on the Broad River and learn how to tie knots, cast, and start fishing. Please note that we are limited to loaner 20 poles. Feel free to bring your own tackle and poles as long as it is in good working order.

Meet on the Riverwalk Trail  behind the Old Rock Cafe. Admission to the park is not required for this event.

Register by emailing Ranger Shelton at [email protected] or call the park office at 828-625-1823

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.

Do you love fishing? Are you new to it or curious about learning how? Come fishing with Chimney Rock Park Rangers on the Broad River and learn how to tie knots, cast, and start fishing. Please note that we are limited to loaner 20 poles. Feel free to bring your own tackle and poles as long as it is in good working order.

Meet on the Riverwalk Trail  behind the Old Rock Cafe. Admission to the park is not required for this event.

Register by emailing Ranger Shelton at [email protected] or call the park office at 828-625-1823

Do you love fishing? Are you new to it or curious about learning how? Come fishing with Chimney Rock Park Rangers on the Broad River and learn how to tie knots, cast, and start fishing. Please note that we are limited to loaner 20 poles. Feel free to bring your own tackle and poles as long as it is in good working order.

Meet on the Riverwalk Trail  behind the Old Rock Cafe. Admission to the park is not required for this event.

Register by emailing Ranger Shelton at [email protected] or call the park office at 828-625-1823

Do you love fishing? Are you new to it or curious about learning how? Come fishing with Chimney Rock Park Rangers on the Broad River and learn how to tie knots, cast, and start fishing. Please note that we are limited to loaner 20 poles. Feel free to bring your own tackle and poles as long as it is in good working order.

Meet on the Riverwalk Trail  behind the Old Rock Cafe. Admission to the park is not required for this event.

Register by emailing Ranger Shelton at [email protected] or call the park office at 828-625-1823

Come enjoy a delicious lunch on the Old Rock deck overlooking the Rocky Broad River, and support a good cause! A portion of all proceeds from this event go to support our non-profit partner Waypoint Adventure. Local musician Tim McWilliams will provide an afternoon of great tunes and the Old Rock crew will be cooking up diner classics.

Do you love fishing? Are you new to it or curious about learning how? Come fishing with Chimney Rock Park Rangers on Lake Lure at Pool Creek Picnic Park and learn how to tie knots, cast, and start fishing. Please note that we are limited to loaner 20 poles. Feel free to bring your own tackle and poles as long as it is in good working order.

Meet at Pool Creek Picnic Park in Lake Lure. Parking available at Pool Creek Picnic Park, Lake Lure Arcade, and public parking in Lake Lure. Admission to the Chimney Rock State Park is not required for this event.

Register by emailing Ranger Shelton at [email protected] or call the park office at 828-625-1823

Do you love fishing? Are you new to it or curious about learning how? Come fishing with Chimney Rock Park Rangers on Lake Lure at Pool Creek Picnic Park and learn how to tie knots, cast, and start fishing. Please note that we are limited to loaner 20 poles. Feel free to bring your own tackle and poles as long as it is in good working order.

Meet at Pool Creek Picnic Park in Lake Lure. Parking available at Pool Creek Picnic Park, Lake Lure Arcade, and public parking in Lake Lure. Admission to the Chimney Rock State Park is not required for this event.

Register by emailing Ranger Shelton at [email protected] or call the park office at 828-625-1823

Do you love fishing? Are you new to it or curious about learning how? Come fishing with Chimney Rock Park Rangers on Lake Lure at Morse Park and learn how to tie knots, cast, and start fishing. Please note that we are limited to loaner 20 poles. Feel free to bring your own tackle and poles as long as it is in good working order.

Meet at Morse Park in Lake Lure. Parking available at the Lake Lure Marina and public parking in Lake Lure. Admission to the Chimney Rock State Park is not required for this event.

Register by emailing Ranger Shelton at [email protected] or call the park office at 828-625-1823

Do you love fishing? Are you new to it or curious about learning how? Come fishing with Chimney Rock Park Rangers on Lake Lure at Morse Park and learn how to tie knots, cast, and start fishing. Please note that we are limited to loaner 20 poles. Feel free to bring your own tackle and poles as long as it is in good working order.

Meet at Morse Park in Lake Lure. Parking available at the Lake Lure Marina and public parking in Lake Lure. Admission to the Chimney Rock State Park is not required for this event.

Register by emailing Ranger Shelton at [email protected] or call the park office at 828-625-1823

Do you love fishing? Are you new to it or curious about learning how? Come fishing with Chimney Rock Park Rangers on Lake Lure at Pool Creek Picnic Park and learn how to tie knots, cast, and start fishing. Please note that we are limited to loaner 20 poles. Feel free to bring your own tackle and poles as long as it is in good working order.

Meet at Pool Creek Picnic Park in Lake Lure. Parking available at Pool Creek Picnic Park, Lake Lure Arcade, and public parking in Lake Lure. Admission to the Chimney Rock State Park is not required for this event.

Register by emailing Ranger Shelton at [email protected] or call the park office at 828-625-1823