Jump into summer with the second installment of Chimney Rock’s brand new wine and design-style paint series. Join a professional local artist and celebrate NC State Parks’ Year of the Tree by creating your own beautiful summer tree portrait. Classes will be held at the Old Rock Café. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase local craft beer & wine as well as appetizers.

This national holiday celebrates our favorite thing to do… get outdoors! Stop by the Park to hit the trails and explore the discovery stations created by our naturalist staff and State Park Rangers. Find every station and collect stamps from each one to receive a prize from the gift shop after your adventure. Our friends Fox Mountain Guides will be on-site offering rock climbing tasters. Plus, stick around for a program at 2pm with our live animal ambassadors. Mark your calendars for this fun, interactive event!

Enjoy exclusive access to the Park after hours and watch dusk settle over Lake Lure and the Hickory Nut Gorge. The Old Rock Cafe will provide heavy hors d-ourves, the Gorge will provide its trademark natural beauty, and your fellow annual passholders will provide an evening of fun conversation. Don’t miss one of the favorite passholder-exclusive events of the year.

Think outside the studio and enjoy the quiet of the Park after the gates have closed with this yoga practice for all levels of expertise. The mountains are said to be a natural vortex of spiritual energy, which makes Chimney Rock an ideal setting for connecting your spirit with nature at this outdoor class overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. 

Live music returns to the Old Rock Cafe with our new music series: Playing for our Partners. Come enjoy an evening of good food and good music on the deck overlooking the Rocky Broad River and support a good cause, too. A percentage of proceeds from each event in the series will benefit one of our local non-profit partners. The June event will feature musician Ansel Couch and will support Rutherford Outdoor Coalition.

*This event is at the Old Rock Cafe, not inside the Park*

Join a local birding expert for a hike through a bird watcher’s paradise, Chimney Rock State Park. Whether you’re a lifelong birder or just getting started with America’s fastest-growing hobby, summer is a great time to spot some of our local and migrating species.