Table Of Content
In addition, there’s a climbing tower to hone your abilities in a more controlled environment before hitting the craggy rock face of Chimney Rock State Park. Along this path is where you’ll find the Opera Box, a hidden gem that actually offers the most impressive overlook for Lake Lure and the Chimney. This moderate to strenuous hike follows along the cliffside and is mostly uphill. Another popular hub nearby is Hendersonville, one of the best mountain towns in North Carolina, and a bit more off the beaten path and full of Southern charm.
Black Mountain
It’s a moderate to strenuous hike that climbs up 400 feet through forest to the Hickory Nut Falls Trail. The park is also home to one of the highest waterfalls in North Carolina. The Hickory Nut Falls is 404 foot tall and features a balanced rock known as “Devil’s Head” at the summit of the falls. Some say the rock looks like the head of a devil, which is how it got its infamous name. Head up even higher along the Skyline Trail, which features the Park’s highest lookout, Peregrine’s Point, at 2,640 feet.
Revealed: The Best Places to Vacation in North Carolina with Kids - The Family Vacation Guide
Revealed: The Best Places to Vacation in North Carolina with Kids.
Posted: Wed, 05 Jan 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Climb Rumbling Bald and Eagle Rock
This picturesque park lies in the little village of Chimney Rock, which is in Rutherford County. This gem-mining experience even offers gemstone cutting, so visitors can turn their finds into jewelry. About two hours northwest of Charlotte, Crabtree Emerald Mine has been used as an emerald provider for Tiffany Jewelers in New York City. This mine is obviously known for its emeralds, but also has sums of other minerals including quartz and mica. At Chimney Rock State Park, visitors can take a 26-story elevator inside a mountain to view its geology from the inside.
From East Asheville
Learn about how these animals exist while exploring their beautiful home. Be sure to visit the Animal Discovery Den, set right at the entrance of this trail, to meet some of the native critters in real life. The large deck that overlooks Hickory Nut Gorge at the Sky Lodge is a wonderful little spot to chow down during a hike here. The tunnel takes you to the elevator for the cliff viewpoint, the Cliff Dwellers and Sky Lounge gift shops, a delicious deli, and restrooms all around the parking area.
Park Planning
At Exit #49A (Bat Cave and Highway 64 East), turn right onto Highway 64 East. At the first exit in North Carolina, Exit #67 (Columbus and Highway 108), turn right onto Highway 108 East. Follow 108 East for approximately 6 miles to the intersection of Highway 108 and Highway 9 (a traffic stoplight).
Nearby Attractions
So there you have it, this is your complete guide to Chimney Rock NC. I hope that this guide helped answer all your questions about the state park and helped you plan your visit. It is famous for its 499 steps up to the top of Chimney Rock.
You can find the park by taking I-240 East, Highway 74A, or US Highway 64. If you are visiting the beautiful North Carolina lake, Lake Lure, you’ll want to visit Chimney Rock State Park too. We love that rockhounders can plan a trip to Charlotte and experience all of these different places and excursions without traveling too far outside of the city. Following the rains "we did a more thorough inspection of trails to ensure the safety of our visitors," he said.
Please be prepared to make alternate plans if the parking area is full upon arrival. This trail can only be accessed by hiking the entirety of the Exclamation Point Trail. This trail, located inside the Chimney Rock attraction, allows visitors to climb to the top of Chimney Rock. The Outcroppings Trail offers a series of staircases and lookout points threaded through a near-vertical boulder field. They also offer courses with expert instructors from Fox Mountain Guides on these routes, if you’re looking to learn for the first time or simply improve.
It’s a great pick to avoid some of the bigger crowds and stay on a budget. It’s a 1.5-mile loop located only about two miles from the Chimney Rock entrance. It winds its way around impressive boulders at the base of the Rumbling Bald Mountain. The 315-foot-tall Chimney Rock is the park’s main attraction and it’s easy to see why.
The opening hours always depend on the time of year, as the season will affect weather patterns and daylight. The street address for the GPS is 431 Main Street, Chimney Rock, NC. Be sure to study the park map upon arrival, there are so many magical spots to see within the wild grounds, other than just the main formation of course. It’s a more recent addition to the NC state park scene, as it existed privately until 2007. The preserved ecology and geology of the area make it a special highlight of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and a mecca for outdoor adventure.
As the name suggests, every seasonal hike here has a special highlight to offer. It’s also a great spot for trying to spot some local wildlife. This is the perfect pick for those interested in a venture into the more remote rugged terrain in Chimney Rock State Park.
Check their online calendar full of upcoming excitements to see if there’s something that matches the time frame of your visit to Chimney Rock. Chimney Rock State Park often hosts seasonal and community events. This includes guided hikes, educational programs, and special happenings like the Llamapalooza, the Full Moon Series or Yoga at Sunrise. The lot has been recently renovated and provides convenient and safe parking with enough space for everyone.
Our love story begins in Wilmington, where we met while attending UNCW. We love the Carolinas and think they are one of the most special areas in the world. Natasha moved to North Carolina for college years ago (but she's not trying to age herself here). Her days were spent reading a book on the beach and enjoying a cold glass of sweet tea in between classes at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Upon graduation, she met her partner, Cameron, and they traveled the world together crossing 85 countries and seven continents. During the summer months of June, July, and August, it’s best to arrive early when the park opens or in the evening.
No comments:
Post a Comment