Chimney Rock State Park

Chimney Rock State Park is our sixteenth park in our 2025 North Carolina State Park Challenge. The Chimney Rock area suffered a lot last year as a result of Hurricane Helene and just opened back up June 27, 2025. You will need an advanced reservation online to visit as they are limiting visitors based on their parking. Tickets will you cost $17/adult, $15/senior (65+), $8/child (5-15), free for under 4 years. You’ll show the barcode of your tickets at the ticket booth and they will given you a map of the park and trails. The only trail currently closed is the skyline trail that continues on once you make it up to exclamation point.

We got there right after they opened at 8:30- it the week of the heat wave so we were determined to get there early before it was too unbearable. There is an elevator up to the Chimney Rock, but dogs are not allowed on it so we took the 500 steps up to the attraction. There are multiple ways up to the top with different view points to stop at (and catch you breath). After we made it up to Chimney Rock and took a little break, we continued on to Exclamation Point. Up to this viewpoint will add another 330 steps to your journey. There is a pitstop called the Opera Box that is the perfect place to cool off and have a gorgeous view of Chimney Rock from above. The Opera Box is completely covered, has a bench it is to sit down, and the stone flooring was perfect for Axel to lay on and cool off. After this pitstop we finished our hike up to Exclamation Point. Even in the heat, this viewpoint was totally worth all the stairs! It has gorgeous views of the Hickory Nut Gorge with mountain and river views. This is where the skyline trail would be (keep checking back on the website to see when they reopen the trail).

After we finished enjoying our time up top we hiked all the stairs back down and took Hickory Nut Falls Trail to the 400 foot waterfall. This trail is 1.4 miles and with a gradual incline and a small section of stairs right before the falls. There is a platform to view the falls, but you can cross over some large rocks and stand at the waterfall’s base. The mist coming off the falls was the perfect way to cool off as it was heating up, and the small pool of water at the bottom was just enough for Axel to lay in. We were both pretty happy we saved the falls for the end during the heat wave.

There are two stores at Chimney Rock: Cave Dweller Gifts on the ground by the parking lot and The Skyline Gift Shop and Deli that is on the same level as Chimney Rock. We got our passport stamp at the Skyline Gift Shop but was told they had it at both locations. The Skyline Gift Shop is also a Deli if you did not bring you down food/snacks and they have ice cream as well. Right outside the doors there are patio tables to enjoy the view while eating.

Chimney Rock really has a lot to offer and is much more than the iconic rock. The Chimney Rock Village and Lake Lure that you drive through to get to the State Park are still really suffering and are still rebuilding. Some of the businesses are open and would thrive if everyone visiting Chimney Rock did what they could to support them. Enjoy!

Park Details:
ADDRESS: 174 Chimney Rock Park Rd, Chimney Rock NC 28720
HOURS: As of June 2025 they are open Friday-Monday 8:30am-5:30pm
VISITOR CENTER: There is no visitor center, but two stores (The Sky Lounge and Cliff Dwellers Gifts) that will have everything you need. You will also be given a map when you enter the park.
PASSPORT STAMP: You can find it at either of the stores
ENTRANCE FEE: Advanced reservations are required online. $17 per adult, $15 per Senior (65+), $8 per child (5-15), Ages 4 and under free.
TRAILS: 6 trails to choose from (The Skyline Trail is currently closed)
ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Rock Climbing, Birdwatching
DOG RULES: Dogs are not allowed in park buildings, or on the elevator up to Chimney Rock. Please pick up after your pet!

Check out our videos about this Park on instagram @axel.theadventurepup