North Carolina is home to more than 40 incredible state parks, state recreation areas, and state natural areas for residents and visitors to enjoy. And with so many fantastic choices, it’s quite simply difficult for anyone who either lives in or has spent any time in North Carolina to narrow down all of the wonderful state parks here to just one we’d call a favorite. There is one place, in particular, that stands out among all of the incredible natural wonders in North Carolina. Welcome to Chimney Rock State Park.
While a number of states in America have natural wonders they've dubbed "chimney rock" (Nebraska, Minnesota, and Kentucky, to name only a few), the 315-foot naturally-occurring chimney rock at this state park is very unique.
That's because most of the other chimney rocks in the U.S. don't offer the ability for visitors to trek all the way to the top of that chimney for fantastic 360-degree views. Chimney Rock in North Carolina does!
535 million years ago, the giant 'Chimney' that Chimney Rock is known for was formed. Today, Chimney Rock State Park encompasses 6,807-acres filled with waterfalls, hiking trails, caves, extreme rock formations, and 499 steps to the top of the Chimney.
Advertisement
The focal point and namesake of the park has direct access to its tall perch. Do you remember the first time you made your way to the top?
Although the attraction known as Chimney Rock has been open for decades and decades, the state park here wasn't established until 2005. Within the 6,000-acre state park, you'll discover a land of breathtaking hiking trails, a waterfall, cinematic locations (Last of the Mohicans, anyone?) and one-of-a-kind flora and fauna.
Besides the landmark Chimney, the park is home to multiple rock formations like Devil's Head Rock pictured above.
Getting To The Summit Of Chimney Rock
Visitors to this North Carolina State Park have two different options to reach the summit of Chimney Rock: a tough hike up hundreds of stairs or the elevator built into the mountains.
Depending on your endurance level, you might want to start your day with a brisk yet rewarding hike up the Outcroppings Trail. The 499 steps are hard - but with constant beauty along the way, you can't beat it.
The Outcroppings Trail starts you at the Gneiss Cave - a natural formation thats namesake derives from the Henderson Gneiss Granite that forms the legendary 535-million-year-old Chimney.
On your way to the top, you'll witness the Grotto, Subway, and Pulpit Rock - each offering magnificent views of Hickory Nut Gorge, Lake Lure, and the Piedmont.
If you aren't up for taking the stairs, you can take the elevator. In 1946, engineers began excavating an elevator shaft 258 feet tall inside the mountain. When finished, it would make access to the top of the chimney easier for most visitors.
Today the same shaft is still used, although elevator upgrades have taken place over the years. In the 2010 decade, the elevator was closed much of the time as upgrades were worked out.
By 2018, the elevator was entirely operational once again. Visitors access the elevator by walking through a haunting 198-foot tunnel carved into the mountain. It's the longest pedestrian tunnel in North Carolina.
And, just as getting to the top of Chimney Rock afforded some amazing views, taking the trail to the overlooks known as Devil's Head and Exclamation Point adds some extraordinary spots from which to gaze at the beautiful views.
Take a peek here at the Opera Box, a natural cave-like, well... opera box, where Mother Nature's performance is never ending and deserves nothing short of a standing ovation.
The highest peak in the park is found at Exclamation Point. It's approximately 20 minutes from the chimney if you're comfortable with a moderate to strenuous pace. The climb is absolutely worth the sweat, though (and maybe a few tears).
From here, you'll see more views from high above Hickory Nut Gorge. Bring a bottle of water and sit and enjoy these out-of-the way and less traveled overlooks at Chimney Rock.
When was the last time you reconnected with this amazing natural wonder in the Tar Heel State?
Hiking Trails In Chimney Rock State Park
Ranging from easy to difficult, there are seven incredible trails found within this gorgeous state park. We’ve covered the main staircase trail, but there are a few others you’ll want to experience as well.
Within Chimney Rock State Park, you'll discover North Carolina's second tallest waterfall. Cascading 404 feet down a sheer rock face, Hickory Nut Falls is a treasure, and so worth a visit.
To get to Hickory Nut Falls Trail, park at the top lot near Chimney Rock and walk down the road to the trailhead, or take the stairs at the lowest wood deck below Chimney Rock.
The trail to Hickory Nut Falls is .75-mile each way and drops visitors on a viewing platform steps away from the base of this 404-foot waterfall that was featured in the 1992 major motion picture, "Last of the Mohicans."
The hike has several moderate uphill sections, some rocky terrain, and a small set of stairs at the base of the Hickory Nut Falls. It feels like quite the trek if you’ve already summited Chimney Rocks, but overall, it’s rated as easy on AllTrails.
You'll follow Weed Patch Mountain Trail for a while into the forest. This is a great and challenging trail, but it's a long hike. If you did the whole out-and-back hike, you would cover 20 miles.
You won't have to hike that far to reach the Tunnel, a spur off of Weed Patch Mountain Trail that you'll reach early in the hike.
The hike is relatively short, but it does involve a bit of climbing. The hike is rated by the park as "moderate." Some natural stairs will take you up to Eagle Rock. Use caution when the rocks are slippery.
The tunnel is created by a massive slab of granite at the base of Eagle Rock.
Kids and families together will have a blast exploring this trail.
There are 12 discovery stations complete with sculptures of local fauna that call the park home.
The park's Animal Discovery Den begins at the end of the Discovery Trail. While on the trail, kids learn about the animals in the park. But at the Den, they'll get to see live animals they've just learned about.
