Drive out to see chimney Rock. The drive there was winding with some rough roads. Still dealing with hurricane damage. We entered Park with no problems And paid the entrance fee which covers the elevator ride to the top exiting into the gift store. We then climbed to forty steps up to the rock. Stairs easily accessible and well maintained. The view was spectacular. They have several hikes in the area. They even have a short easy hikes for children. read more

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Loved this especially that we could take an elevator up lol. My son had a blast and it was very safe. I was still nervous even with the guardrails but hey it's my son I'd be nervous no matter what. Ride in was quick to get here from Asheville but ride out I guess because some parts aren't reopened yet took awhile driving back as we had to go around. Views were just amazing. read more

One of North Carolina's most iconic sights, Chimney Rock towers proudly above the Hickory Nut Gorge, just west of Lake Lure and about 25 miles southeast of Asheville. The top of this 315-foot high 'gneiss monolith' is accessible to visitors via either a winding series of stairs or a convenient elevator, depending on your stamina level. But regardless of how you ascend, the spectacular view from the summit is well worth the time and effort. Hurricane Helene caused significant damage to the park and to the river valley below, which still looked like a scar across the landscape when we visited 15 months later. Still, many of the hikes, including the Four Seasons trail, from the lower parking lot to the base of Chimney Rock, have been reopened and are well worth exploring if you have the time. One highly recommended adventure is the 1.5-mile (round-trip) Hickory Nut Trail, which leads to the base of one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. Movie buffs will recognize the falls from the 1992 film 'Last of the Mohicans,' a portion of which was filmed here. Adult admission to the park is $17 for the day, and passes can be booked online in advance. There are gift shops, snacks and facilities available at multiple locations, including both the upper and lower lots and near the summit of Chimney Rock. Yes, it's an expensive outing, so try to take advantage of the many trails and sights this expansive park has to offer. We made a fairly quick stop on our recent trip, but plan on coming back next summer to hike to the base of Hickory Nut Falls and explore the Skyline Trail along the top of the ridgeline. After you leave the park, be sure to spend some time visiting the shops and restaurants in the Town of Chimney Rock, just across the Broad River. Devastated by Helene, this resilient community is still recovering, and tourist dollars are an essential lifeline. No visit to the North Carolina mountains is complete with a stop at Chimney Rock State Park. It's an unforgettable experience in one of America's most scenic regions, and a special place that you'll want to come back to again and again. read more

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Excellent area definitely worth the $17 entry fee have access to the park all day. Unbelievable views. read more

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Most NC state parks are free. Indeed, I thought all of them were until I landed here where there is a robust per person admission charge. After paying this, the road that leads up the mountain is twisty, narrow, and often without guardrails, which is the sort of thing that irks me more having just paid the $17 to get in. The main attraction, though is an impressive rock and the boardwalks and stairs around it were quite built out and in much better condition than the road. There is also an elevator to get to the chimney. I decided to burn some calories and take the stairs up, which offers some nice views but will take a lot out of you. A wildlife program was going on, but it was crowded, so I just headed down to a waterfall. It is an impressive waterfall. Of course, Western North Carolina is just full of spectacular falls so it's not like there aren't a ton of other ones you could see without paying an admission fee, but if you're at the rock you might as well see the falls. While kids were playing in the water beneath where there is no other drop off nearby, a ranger cautioned that getting in the water was forbidden, and to show them why demonstrated several snakes sitting near the water's edge. And then explained that these were non-venomous snakes. This all seemed kind of ridiculous to me; it seems to me that people can get in the water in most of these places without getting attacked by reptiles (unlike in South Carolina). There are some drawbacks, but the sights are certainly majestic enough to warrant a visit at the end of the day. read more

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What an amazing sight to see and a must do at least once! Such a unique spot! There are a variety of beautiful hikes here, waterfalls, a cava, a small animal center, and even an elevator to take you to the top of Chimney Rock (and back down) if you don't want to walk up all the stairs. Such a beautiful view from up top that will take your breath away! The town around this state park is super cute with some restaurants and shops (there is an amazing crystal shop in town) so spend the day at the park and have a nice meal in town/peruse around for a great time! read more

Well - my plans for a visit to Chimney Rock did not go as planned - since it rained all day long and the fog had set in by the time I arrived. Heavily. I still rode the elevator, walked all around, saw the waterfall and several viewpoints and enjoyed myself. Friendly staff in the shops assisted me with finding some keepsakes and also gave me some tips of things to see and do easily in the rain. I spent probably 3-4 hours here and had a good time and tried to make the best of it. Good news is - I had the park mostly to myself all day! read more

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We came here on July 3rd in the early afternoon. We had read some information on the park and knew there was an elevator option to access the rock summit versus trekking up the steep mountain. Visitors enter the park in the Village of Chimney Rock. We were surprised to see the highly commercialized village of Chimney Rock. There are many restaurants, mini golf, gift shops, etc., which to us is not appealing. Entry to the park is $17/per adult which feels like a lot. They do offer a military / veterans discount dropping the price to $15. We proceeded to the parking lot area which was very busy, likely due to the holiday weekend. We were directed where to park and proceeded to the area in which the shuttles provide access to the base of Chimney Rock. There is a gift shop and visitors can catch the elevator or begin walking the steps. The shuttles appear to operate in an orderly fashion transporting people up the steep, curvy road. Our best guess is that when the park is not as busy, visitors are able to drive up to the upper parking lot quite easily but the shuttles are likely used during the summer and/or busier times of the year. The shuttle dropped us off about 100 yards short of the tunnel entrance and we took our place in line within the tunnel. The cave itself is impressive, it is 198 feet in length and has occasional signage letting you know of the process of blasting through the mountain. We waited about 25-30 minutes total for our turn on the elevator. The maximum occupancy is 8 and there is an elevator operator who manages the number of people per elevator trip. The elevator quickly takes you up 26 stories and when the doors open you are within a building which houses restrooms, another gift shop and small snack bar. Walking out of the building, you can immediately see for miles. On this day the skies were somewhat hazy from the Canadian wildfires but it was still impressive. We walked up a small staircase to Chimney Rock and took a few pictures while admiring the view. We decided to take the elevator down because an afternoon thunderstorm was approaching and we ended up getting cooled off by a downpour which started shortly after we got back on the bus towards our vehicle. Overall, we are glad we came but this is not one of those places we will likely return. Once is enough, on to other experiences. read more

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My family and I had a fantastic time at Chimney Rock State Park. Chimney Rock - located in Rutherford County North Carolina - is a wonderful nature area to visit. Chimney Rock has ten trails ranging from easy to difficult. My son, daughter, and I decided to do all the trails plus Chimney Rock. It was definitely worth it because the scenery, views, and water features were out of this world. To enter the park is $17 for Adults, $8 for 5-15 Youth, and 4 under is free. Also if you are apart of AAA you can get a couple of dollars of your tickets. However though if you have children I would recommend them being 12 and older because some of the trails are dangerous if children are left unattended. If you do bring the little ones food and drinks are allowed in the park and their are a couple of picnic tables along the trails, but they are limited. If you are a pet lover, you can hike with your dogs because chimney Rock allows pets. In regards to the trails, if you have problems with your legs, I would not recommend Chimney Rock State Park because there is a lot of steps, hills, and rocks that you have to hike or climb over. However though there is an elevator that will take you half way up to the iconic Chimney Rock and the elevator is included in your ticket with no extra cost My family decided to take the 500 steps up to the rock and after we were done we decided to take the elevator and it was pretty cool because it only takes a couple of minutes to get to the rock. In addition, Chimmney Rock has a bathroom at the beginning of the trails and it is very clean with beautiful murals inside, and a gift shop that offers ice cream.I will say the parking lot has limited space but they do have an overflow lot with a shuttle. I would definitely recommend getting there right when they open at 8:30am or go during the off season because the trails are less crowded. Furthermore, when entering Chimney Rock State Park you will drive through the village of Chimney Rock with an array of local shops. I would definitely recommend walking around and checking out the shops and local restaurants. Before packing for your trip to Chimney Rock State Park don't forget your camera, hiking boots, water, and snacks because you will not regret the experience. I will be definitely planning my next trip to Chimney Rock soon. read more

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All I can say is it's worth the 17.00 to see these beautiful mountains! Heights are not my favorite needless to say, however I decided not today and went! I'm glad I did! There are shuttles that will take you up to where you can either take the elevator or do the stairs. Also, inside the rock place you can get snacks such as hot dogs ,pretzels etc and even ice cream. Several trails you can do which will ultimately take you back to the bottom of the mountain. If you are in this area I highly recommend coming . I do advise please no hills , wedges and such. This is one place you need to be dressed shoe wise for safety if you plan to do the trails. read more

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A MUST go if in the area!! Get there at opening to beat the crowds. We got there at 9am on a Thursday and were the 3rd ones up. It was so peaceful to have the area to ourselves. By 930 the crowds came. The elevator through the cave was nice. The bathrooms are all painted like the rock and looked nice. Everytime was helpful & friendly. The hike to the falls is a must & so beautiful!! read more

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We visited in mid-January, and there were several other families and guests. But that was it - just several! It was wide open, and every view is gorgeous. Some things to note - in the winter the park closes early (check the website for the exact times); the restaurants and delis/cafes are not open midweek during winter (Tues/Wed); pay attention to the signs at the beginning of trails to know how long the trail lasts, where restrooms are, etc. We started our visit at the Animal Discovery Den to visit the chipmunk, then we hiked Hickory Nut Trail to the waterfall, and we took the elevator to Chimney Rock. We decided to save some energy for Exclamation Point and half of the Skyline Trail. If you love hiking, this park is the place to be!! We saw a chipmunk in the wild on Skyline Trail, so that made all the hiking worth it for me!! read more

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3500th Review It's a little after 8:30 AM the day after Labor Day, looks like all the kids are back in school and this place is like a ghost town but not in an eerie way, although the three mile ride up the mountain from the downtown park entrance with its canopy covered switchbacks somewhat resembles a drive into the unknown, daylight does reappears at the parking lot at the base at this natural wonder. This 315-foot granite monolith is breathtaking not only because of its beauty but for the stairs which are everywhere and number more than 500 steps, of course there are small landings designated as resting places for the weary so bring your water bottle and hydrate before you start the journey. Unlike Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, Chimney Rock is a reminder of not what man has built believe me there are no extraterrestrial conspiracy theories here, it's all mother nature that has shaped this with her firm and patient hands, both smoothing and sharply cutting its surface for nearly 535-million years.   At one end of this enormous mountain there is the Hickory Nut Falls Trail which ends at a great waterfall that appears to be spilling from the heavens, it caresses the smooth vertical surfaces of granite working its way down over some 400-feet. The showering waters of the falls creates a mysterious spectacle that dances over a shallow pool that gathers before falling again in a mountain stream to the river far below. After leaving the falls and making my way back to the towering monolith I got the feeling as though I was being watch by the forest this mysterious geological phenomenon comes from the rock faces that are filled with an abundance of white oval shaped eyes embedded in the rocks, although most are somewhat concealed they are real and I believe they have been watching over mother nature's creation for centuries, the rustling leafs whisper, haunting sections of the trail. I could feel my heart rate increase with every step as I transitioned the elevation changes as if I was fighting the transgressions of those that walked this path before me. I quicken my pace as I approached mid point of the trail I attribute this to the natural decline of the topography and maybe my anticipation of reaching the lower staircase that leads back to the parking area and in my mine civilization. I find running up the stairs and taking short breaks is much less stressful and gets you to the adjective much sooner than slowly and laboriously taking one step at a time, beside I was looking for the restroom which is topside, these are usually well maintained and the cool water from the hand sink was so refreshing as I splashed it against my face only to find there are no paper towels and that jet dryer just wasn't an option so I just shook it off once I exited before heading to the gift shop. I got a small refrigerator magnet for the RV and smashed a penny to document my trip here and to check off another item from the bucket list... read more

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Great place for a short hike or more like climb up stairs. The view was pretty good but nothing too impressive I want to say. Came here on a weekday when it was less crowded. Still enjoyed it. read more

Chimney Rock State Park - Parks Near Me - Chimney Rock, North Carolina

Beautiful scenic views from this park. They have a lot of facilities (bathrooms, cafe and a store). Enjoyed the hike to Chimney Rock and the waterfalls. read more

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Beautiful park with many excellent trails and even more beautiful views. It's a little expensive to get admission but after that it's a blast. Only real negative is the crazy narrow and windy road. read more

Chimney Rock State Park - Observation area on rock tower. - Parks Near Me - Chimney Rock, North Carolina

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If you're a person that likes the mountains with a little but of hiking mixed in then you're going to love Chimney Rock State Park. It was $17 per person to enter the park. It's about a3 mile drive to Chimney Rock. Upon arrival you can elect to take the elevator to the top or hike it. Theres a gift shop down below and up top and also a place that sells snacks. If you're hiking remember to bring water and maybe a protein snack. Once you get to the top the views are breathtaking! Bask in the views you will enjoy it. read more

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Chimney Rock is a truly breathtaking state park tucked away outside of Hendersonville, North Carolina near the shores of Lake Lure. If you can find a bad view in the entire place, you are either standing in the (still pretty clean) bathroom or facing the wrong direction. Chimney Rock is the kind of place where no matter your level of fitness, you can find a gorgeous spot to relax, some more populated than others. The park is open year round, but depending on when you go, there may be special rules in place. During the summer and fall, you're likely to face a good bit of traffic in the park, and instead of being allow to drive to the top where most of the activities are, you may have to park near the bottom and wait for a regular shuttle. These shuttles operate continually and you are never far from catching the next one. On lighter visitor days, you can drive up to darn near the rock itself. For the actual chimney itself, there is a really fascinating elevator in place, the shaft is carved out of the solid rock and accessed through a cave. It takes people up and down at intervals. This enables everyone, even visitors with physical limitation, to get up to at least the base of the chimney and catch a really nice view of the area. The top of chimney rock itself is accessible via a flight of about 50 stairs. The view from the top of the chimney is awesome in all directions, definitely the highlight of the trip. There are several trails and a few other vantage points to access. Our small group really liked the "Opera Box" which is indeed like being in an opera box. Solid rock beneath you and above you, you are sitting in an only slightly man altered cave with an awesome view. There is a bench there to rest. The path and stairs up to this point is a little tricky and will demand a little of you physically. If you're not steady on your feet, you should stick to just the Chimney. We took the elevator up and decided to climb down after seeing a couple viewpoints. The stairs and trails down are a task in and of themselves, climbing them to go up would be an exceptional physical challenge! Some people were doing it though, all credit to them. On the way down you have a chance for more wooded viewpoints, and some small caves. As to amenities, all guests have easy access to gift shop, cafe, and restrooms, as well as large picnic shelters you can book for events and an amphitheatre. There are also some exhibits available centering around the local flora and fauna. This beautiful place is absolutely a recommended visit! read more

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Chimney Rock State Park is a must place to visit when you're in the area. What a beautiful park, and it is a moderate physical activity to climb the stairs but definitely worth the sweating and leg soreness. I fell in love w how peaceful and majestic this park is. We took the elevator to get back down. We couldn't have asked for better weather to capture the beauty of it! read more

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If you know me, I LOVE to be outside. I planned to hit up Chimney Rock to shoot the Canon, then fly my drone, and a couple of the kiddos was down for the ride. Somehow I never took them when they were young. So we had great music, great conversations, and just time enjoying the short ride. Unfortunately there an ordinance against drones and possibly scaring wild life. One of the park folks told me there are falcons in the area and they'd take drones out. Also the falcons are the reason there is no zip line at Chimney Rock. Who knew??? Although call BS (in my mind) since it didn't fit my narrative We didn't go to the two highest lookout areas because the park was about to close soon but we definitely will be back. Side note: Apparently if you go after a certain time (maybe too late too enjoy it all) that your ticket to the park is good for the next day!! Still wild to me that we have to PAY $$ TO BE OUTSIDE at state parks when they already get tax funding. Make it make sense... the math ain't mathing #familytime #chimneyrock read more

Totally a must do! For $17 it was totally worth it! The park was well kept and maintained. Bathrooms were clean and the staff were friendly! The falls and over look were incredibly beautiful. Lots of wildlife to spot as well! The option to take the elevator rather than the stairs was a huge plus. Would absolutely come again in the future! read more

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This is a fantastic park 25 mins away from Asheville. The drive isn't bad at all but be prepared to wait in line during weekends and holidays. There are lots of restaurants and shops in front of the park entrance which is very convenient (if you can find parking, hehe). The park itself has a huge parking lot and a shuttle service to take you to the top of you prefer not to hike. If that's not enough, there is also an elevator that goes straight to the rock or you can take the stairs (takes about 5-10 mins). The views from the rock are stunning and the flag looks gorgeous on a windy and sunny day. You can also hike around and explore more in the park - there are many trails and even a climbing wall! This park is a must see if you're in Asheville! read more

Chimney Rock State Park - Parks Near Me - Chimney Rock, North Carolina

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Loved chimney rock state park. While in the area to hit some trails we came across this state park. Although it's a bit more commercial than what we had originally planned, we decided to check it out and am glad we did. There is a fee of $17 to get into the park (as well as a line at the gate to pay the fee or show your online tickets), but once in your go straight up. They have a crew directing parking...who actually direct parking. They always know how many spots are ahead of them and will always direct you to the spot closest to the top/entrance visitor center. What could become a parking nightmare was an absolutely amazing experience instead with their help. For hikes, there are several options - pretty much all of which have stairs. We hiked up to the main chimney rock though honestly we didn't stay long there as it was pretty crowded on a nice Sunday afternoon. From there we kept climbing up toward devil's head and exclamation point. Not surprisingly, the higher up you go, the less crowded it gets. There are a few nice stopping points along the way up, including the opera box which is pretty cool to sit in for a minute. We enjoyed the views from both devil's head and exclamation point and found the trek up short and well worth it. We opted not to do the skyline trail as we had heard the views at the end weren't very clear. Although the hike really wasn't too hard for either of us as regular hikers, beware that there are a lot of stairs that may be difficult for some. Even for us on the way back down from all of it had some leg fatigue. Once we finished the portion on the top of the rocks, we opted to head down to the hickory nut falls trail. You can either take more stairs down to the trail from the main trail, or you can drive partway back down and park closer to the trailhead. For a convenient exit, we decided to relocate our car (this is where the parking crew come in handy once again as we asked if there were spaces available before going down and getting stuck). The trail to the falls is fairly flat with only very slight and minor inclines. The falls are GORGEOUS. One of my favorite waterfalls with an almost straight verticals drop down the smooth rocks. Well worth the walk in and would highly recommend this view of the falls rather than the top where I've heard you see little. Overall, this was a great stop for the day that included a little bit of everything. Whether a non-hiker or an experienced one, you'll still find some cool things to enjoy here. read more

Chimney Rock State Park - The subway is a cool portion of the early portion of the trail where you have to crouch-walk through a small tunnel. - Parks Near Me - Chimney Rock, North Carolina

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It's absolutely stunning scenery. We are in moderate shape. It was a nice walk (lower) so we could actually see the waterfalls. Safe trail. There are lots of things to see, so get your cameras ready. The annual membership is less than $40 a person too so we'll worth it if you visit just a few times a year. Place to see as well. Walking through the side of the mountain entering the elevator was breathtaking! read more

Chimney Rock State Park - Absolutely stunning scenery - Parks Near Me - Chimney Rock, North Carolina

This state park is tucked away in a small town with a beautiful esthetic. The view heading to the parking lot is beautiful some of turns are tight so just keep a look out. Once we parked my brother and I took the elevator. In which is located in a tunnel. You will be at the base and even there the views are great. You will have to climb some stairs to get to the highest point. Once you get there you can see the whole town and it's stunning. Afterwards we wanted to see the waterfall from the bottom and oh geez i definitely over thought going down the stairs where going to be easy lol. Just make sure you take your time and pace yourself cause they take a toll on your body. Make sure you have plenty of water wear comfortable shoes with lots of support. Once you arrive at the waterfall all that work was worth it. You can navigate around the rocks to get underneath the waterfall and beware of the cold water. We stayed there for a bit and enjoyed the view and the water. This was such a beautiful hike and you won't regret it. read more

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The views are great and it has easy/handicap/elevator access if you need it. It is a bit crowded in the summer months and you could be waiting a decent amount of time for the elevator. With that said the views are great. To me the highlight was the waterfall (I forget the name of it) which was a short hike away. read more

At $17 per person this State Park provided so many trails to explore. Since the roads up to the top of the mountain are under construction, we took the shuttle to the midway point. Masks were mandated and dogs are allowed to ride in the shuttle. From there we had the choice of going onto Hickory Nut Trail to see the 400' waterfall and/or take the steps leading up to the lookout on Chimney Rock--of course we had to do both! The trail to the massive waterfall was clear to follow and there were ample receptacles to place recyclables and trash. It was shady and the trail is not hard to hike through. The Hickory Nut Falls was immaculate, but the prime photo spot was small, and even on a week day, we had to snap just a few pictures before more people made their way onto the platform. Chimney Rock was such a challenge starting from the bottom. Even though there are stairs, climbing about 500 of them one way is no easy feat! If you don't want to climb that many flights, there is an elevator that can take you up to the gift shop and then you just have to take 1-2 flights of stairs until you're at the top. After the treacherous way up, the view is so worth it! At 2,280 ft you have a perfect view of Lake Lure, the mountain range, and hoards of monarch butterflies migrating south for the winter. read more

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I'm surprised there aren't more reviews for Chimney Rock State Park because this place is very underrated. Chimney Rock's Outcroppings Trail takes you up 500 steps to the 535-million-year-old Chimney where you are rewarded with amazing views. Going up the staircase doesn't take long. If you'd like, you can take the elevator up as well. When you get up to the Chimney, there is a souvenir shop that sells souvenirs, snacks, and drinks. If you plan to bring your dog with you, know that the park IS pet friendly; however, you will not be permitted to use the elevator. There are a total of 10 trails at the Chimney Rock State Park. Depending on how much hiking you plan to do, reserve about 1-4 hours' time. At $17/person admission ticket, it really is worth it. Chimney Rock State Park is about 1 hr from downtown Asheville, so definitely check it out if you're in the area. At the park entrance, we were offered a dog treat by a kind staff member. The bathrooms on site (not portapotties) are sufficiently clean as well. read more

Great views and lovely hike to waterfall and observation point So sad about the flooding of this entire area read more

$17 per person? That's actually insane for a small park and all! However, I must admit, the view from the top is pretty breathtaking. But let's be realistic, you're basically just driving to the summit, taking a quick elevator to the lookout point, and then you're done. They do have a few hiking trails though. On the bright side, the little town is cute! I enjoyed my day there. Oh, and don't miss the cute roadside apple stand just outside the township. You can grab a couple of apples and enjoy them at the lovely picnic area. It's quite charming, especially with the water views. I walked down to the water there. So, if you're up for it, it's a pretty cute experience for sure! read more

Chimney Rock State Park - Its - Parks Near Me - Chimney Rock, North Carolina

What a great place to visit. I'm in the area several times a year (as a photographer) and I got the season pass. This is one of my favorite places in southeast to take photos. There's always something happening. I can count on one hand how many places of Zen I have. This is one of them. read more

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The state park is one of the most easy state park that I have visited. They collect a good fees per person for the entree ticket. However, the car car drive to the top of the point of interest. There were plenty of parking during our visit. In addition, there was an elevator take you from parking area 260 feet up to the top of attraction. It just need a few step and you are at the Chimney Rock. On top of the rock stood an American flag. It waving and changing directions with beautiful movements. The top of the rock can view the Lake Lure and nearby town. Other than the Chimney Rock, I suggest you go to Devil Head, Opera Box, and Exclamations point. This are some good area you can visit. I also suggest if you have more time visit the Hickory Nut Falls. It just an hour round trip. The falls is beautiful. For the entire park, I would recommend at least half day visit. read more

Admission is pricey! We paid for annual passes because we came back within the year. Chimney rock is super popular and very crowded. Get there early. When we were leaving around 12:30, there was a line at the top for parking. And there was a line at the center to buy tickets. The hickory nut falls trail was great for my 3 and 5 year old and ended with a beautiful waterfall and great picture moments! Definitely worth the trip if you're in the area. read more

Chimney Rock State Park - Painted bathrooms - Parks Near Me - Chimney Rock, North Carolina

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This is probably the easiest climb at a state park I have ever done that provides a phenomenal view at the top. If you can't make the 20 minute climb up the stairs with various platform stops, just use the elevator. At the top you will have an almost uninterrupted 360 view of the land below. read more

Chimney Rock State Park - View from Chimney Rock - Parks Near Me - Chimney Rock, North Carolina

What a beautiful place! $17 per adult not sure what children price was. They have a military discount of $2 off each ticket. They have elevators for those who can't climb. If you can climb, do it! The rock itself isn't the top. You can keep going and it's well worth it. Take water, you'll need it. read more

Our second stop in Asheville and a very beautiful park. The road to the rock is very, very windy and narrow so drive carefully! The elevator wasn't working when we went, and it may be out of service for some time as they are waiting on parts that are on back order. So if you can't handle 500 steps up and another 500 down- I may sit this one out. The stairs to the waterfall weren't as bad 250 down 250 up, but still another 15-20 min hike to the waterfall. The Hubs loved it, I of course died a thousand deaths conquering it. It was worth every moment though, bc the views are outstanding. read more

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We love to hike so we decided to check out this state park. We did almost all of the trails in the park which included: Hickory Nut Falls Trail, Outcroppings Trail to Chimney Rock, Exclamation Point Trail, and Skyline Trail. They were all short trails and nothing more than moderate. The trail to Chimney Rock and Exclamation Point had a bunch of stairs. Our day started very foggy, but by the time we got to Chimney Rock the fog started to clear. Hickory Nut Falls was really pretty, but we couldn't see the top because of the fog. There were great views at Chimney Rock and Exclamation Point. The views were good along the skyline trail, but it just takes you to the top of Hickory Nut Falls where there isn't much to see. The reason I'm only giving this 3 stars is because of the outrageous ticket price to get in. They charge $17 per adult to get in for one day. That's more than any national park. National Parks charge $35 per vehicle to get in for a week. Considering there are very few trails and the views don't even compare to a national park, it's ridiculous that they charge so much. I won't be coming back and wouldn't recommend going here unless they start charging less. There are so many places to hike in the NC mountains with better views that are free. read more

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I had heard so much about Chimney Rock prior to finally getting out to visit. It was about as I expected when I finally did, although I wasn't expecting such a huge crowd of people from all over the world. It seems word has gotten around about this unique pillar of stone jutting up into the skies of western NC. When you come here, it might be a good idea to do so in the off-season. The road approaching the entrance to the park comes through Lake Lure which is equally packed with cars, motorcycles and people. It makes sense, beautiful views in cool water in the NC mountains. The town is neat and seems like a slightly more low-key Pigeon Forge. There's a fee to get in and drive up. It's quite high at $18 per person but it does make sense, as there's a lot of maintenance likely involved in getting to the top. The elevators, stairs and shop being the main ones. Along with Grandfather Mountain, these are the only two NC State Parks I know of to have a fee. Both are worth it to go and see at least once. Be prepared to walk (and stair climb). Even if you take the elevator up to THE Chimney Rock, you will still need to take one final flight of stairs up onto the actual rock. If you're up for a challenge, you can bypass the elevator and race up the steps to the top. There's a shop, of course, that serves ice cream and had quite the line. You can go further up the stairs to find more views (with less people) and even the head of a longer trail into the woods which takes you to a waterfall view. You can easily make a day of the park and a full weekend of the area in general including Lake Lure. read more

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We came here on a cloudy day in February. I would have preferred to come here in the fall, but they had a BOGO deal going on that was a steal of a price, so we took advantage of that. We opted to eat lunch in nearby Lake Lure before we visited Chimney Rock. We came mid-day and parking was easy enough, though this was the off season. There were two options for getting up the rock, you can either take the elevator or climb the stairs. We opted to take the stairs up, I believe it was close to half a mile of climbing, but there were various observation points along the way so that helped me catch my breath. Once at the top, there is a webcam, so I had my friend find us on there. I'd give the scenic views a 4 out of 5, again this way the off season, so it was a bit drab. This has to be amazing when the trees are changing color in the fall. We took a quick browse through the gift shop at the top, but it was pricey and nothing looked too appealing to me. After that, we opted to take the elevator down. We didn't have our pups with us, but this is pet friendly. With that said, the dogs need to go up the stairs though, I believe they were not allowed in the elevator. Pretty cool spot! I like that it's something the whole family or group can do regardless of athletic ability. read more

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Chimney Rock State Park is a must visit. We went up to Chimney Rock and did the Exclamation Point Trail (you visit Opera Box, Devil's Head and Exclamation Point) then did Hickory Nut Falls Trail. All of the views were beautiful. read more

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