Latest News

Celebrating 75 Years of the Elevator

May 15, 2024

Wednesday, May 15th, marks 75 years of operation for Chimney Rock’s famous elevator. The elevator first opened to guests on May 15th, 1949, after 18 months of construction.  The Morse family, who owned and operated the park for over 100 years, wanted to make the park as accessible as possible to as many people as Read More

Chimney Rock Management Gets BearWise

April 24, 2024

Chimney Rock Management, LLC is now a recognized BearWise business. With support from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, BearWise recognizes businesses that have taken significant steps to lessen their impact on wild black bears and keep humans safe in bear territory. “We live in bear country and we are recreating in bear country,” Ashley Read More

19th Annual Groundhog Day Celebration

January 23, 2024

Celebrate a favorite Chimney Rock tradition as our resident groundhogs join woodchucks all over the country to let us know if spring in on the way. On February 2, Tater and Yammy will make their meteorological debut at Chimney Rock’s 19th Annual Groudhog Day Celebration. Chimney Rock Village Mayor Peter O’Leary will be in the Read More

Chimney Rock Featured in Our State Magazine

August 2, 2023

Our State Magazine featured Chimney Rock State Park as the cover story of their August issue. The issue contained a photo essay about the Park and some of our neighbors in Chimney Rock Village. Read the story and watch the accompanying video here!

Chimney Rock named one of the best Parks in the nation

April 14, 2023

Yelp listed Chimney Rock State Park as one of the 50 U.S. State Parks everyone should visit in their lifetime. We are thrilled to be featured and to be the only location in North Carolina to make the cut! Check out this article about the Park from the Charlotte Observer: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-travel/article274197935.html

Chimney Rock Featured on WSPA Zip Trips

August 16, 2022

Park Director Emily Walker and Fester the Barred Owl made an appearance on WSPA last week. Check out the video to learn more about some of our live animal ambassadors and what there is to do in the Park this time of year.

Live Music Takes Center Stage at Old Rock Cafe

July 27, 2022

Music has returned to the Old Rock Cafe for summer 2022. After two years of no live performances on the deck, we’re back with our new summer series, Playing for our Partners. This year, we’re adding to the fun by including some of our community partners that support conservation efforts in western North Carolina. A Read More

Pumpkin Predicts Early Spring at Annual Groundhog Day Celebration

February 11, 2022

Pumpkin the Groundhog has news for western North Carolina: Spring is on the way. On February 2, Pumpkin made his first-ever Groundhog Day Prediction. He did not see his shadow, contradicting the prediction from the famous Punxsutawney Phil. Maybe New England is in for more six more weeks of winter, but Pumpkin sees warmer days Read More

Winter Hours and Rates Begin

January 3, 2022

Winter has sometimes been called “Chimney Rock’s Undiscovered Season,” and for good reason. Although many of the trees are bare and the crowds of summer and fall are gone, there’s something special about the Park in winter. Each trail has new views, some of which extend for miles now that the leaves are gone. Popular Read More

Fall Color Makes a Splash in the Park and Time Change Brings New Hours

November 8, 2021

Fall color is peaking in Hickory Nut Gorge, making this the best time for leaf-seekers to visit the Park. Check out our Fall Color Report, updated every Thursday, for the most accurate picture of what fall is looking like in the Park these days. Daylight Saving Time has come to a close, marking the official Read More

Flock to the Rock Returns September 18

August 27, 2021

Birdwatching experts and novices alike will enjoy the premiere birding event of the season at Chimney Rock: the 13th Annual Flock to the Rock. The event will feature activities for the whole family, including live, on the glove raptor demonstrations, kid-friendly games and crafts, and the annual Hawk Watch from the Chimney. Guests can explore Read More

Art Exhibition to Benefit Friends of Chimney Rock State Park

August 11, 2021

In May, two artists from the group Preserving a Picturesque America set out on a 80 mile journey along the French Broad River to recreate some of the original artwork from the first Picturesque America publication in the 19th century. Scott Varn and Mike Wurman made the entire trek on foot or horseback, and hosted Read More

Old Rock Café Reopens

July 5, 2021

Old Rock Café Reopens

After six months of construction and renovation, the Old Rock Café is open for business. A favorite for village locals and visitors alike, the Old Rock has been closed since last winter for an ambitious, coordinated project between the State of North Carolina and Chimney Rock Management. The decision was made by the State of Read More

Travel + Leisure Names Chimney Rock Best State Park in NC

May 26, 2021

Travelers and State Park enthusiasts alike should check out Travel + Leisure’s newest guide to the 50 best state parks in the country. The guide highlights the benefits of State Parks which often go unnoticed next to National Parks or other popular destinations but have a lot to offer. Read about some of the most Read More

Artists Begin Historic 80-mile Journey at Chimney Rock

May 6, 2021

In 1870, artist Harry Fen trekked 80 miles along the French Broad River to sketch and document 12 beautiful natural places for the publication Picturesque America. This month, two artists are following in his footsteps to recreate this artwork, and they began their journey here at Chimney Rock State Park. Scott Varn and Mike Wurman Read More

Old Rock Café Construction Update

April 23, 2021

We’re looking forward to sharing the news that the repairs and updates at the Old Rock are completed. We don’t have a date yet, but you’ll be some of the first to know when we can reopen. We are pleased to share that the contractors have installed the new floors and the Chimney Rock Management Read More

Spring is in the Air!

April 21, 2021

Check out our spring enewsletter which is chocked full of updates. Ifyou didn’t receive it, sign up today. We won’t share your emailaddress with anyone.

Top Parking Lot Construction Completed!

November 20, 2020

The 10-month long construction project on the upper parking lot is finally finished! A whole year of operating with half the parking space that we are used to while trying to keep everyone socially distanced was not easy. We are so thrilled to have this important access piece back open again to the public.Guests are Read More

New Winter Hours

November 17, 2020

Winter is coming!! If you haven’t noticed, daylight hours are changing and so are our Park hours. Throughout the end of the year, the Ticket Plaza will be open daily from 8:30am – 4:30pm, weather-permitting. Once in the Park, guests can stay as late as 6pm. The Park will be closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas Read More

Park Closed: Fallen Trees and Power Outage

October 29, 2020

There are multiple fallen trees that have blocked the road leading into the Park. We are working on getting these cleared. These trees have also taken down multiple powerlines and poles. We are still awaiting a timeline from the power company on when these fallen lines will be moved to allow safe entry and when Read More