Latest News

Parking Lot Construction Project Update

April 20, 2020

The Chimney Rock Management staff knew we would face some challenges this year with some closures due to our upper parking lot project, but never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined that the whole world would be closed down and business would be brought to a screeching halt due to a global pandemic.There Read More

Chimney Rock Virtual Background for Zoom Meetings

April 17, 2020

Zoom meetings have become the new way to communicate, not just for business but also with friends and family. Want to add a little flair to your Zoom meetings? You can now add a custom Chimney Rock virtual background. This spectacular view can add some peace and serenity to your conversations. To get started, download Read More

Virtual Easter Sunrise 2020

April 12, 2020

This year was the first year since 1955 that we weren’t able to host our longest-running, annual event, the Chimney Rock Easter Sunrise Service. We’re sorry we can’t be together to celebrate our 65th annual sunrise service, but we wanted to at least give you a virtual view of the sunrise this Easter from  Chimney Read More

Health and Safety Update

March 13, 2020

The health and safety of our guests and associates is our top priority. We share everyone’s concerns about the COVID-19 (Coronavirus).  Even though we are an outdoor experience, we appreciate the fact that everyone who visits or works in the Park will ride our shuttle buses, use our restrooms, possibly take the elevator, visit our Read More

15th Annual Groundhog Day Celebration at Chimney Rock

February 1, 2020

Greta the Groundhog takes Center Stage for Chimney Rock’s 15th Annual Groundhog Day Celebration For the past 15 years, Groundhog Day has become a family-fun, annual tradition at Chimney Rock. On February 2nd, furry little meteorologist, Greta the Groundhog, will be making her yearly spring prediction as well as her Super Bowl pick. At 1 Read More

Upper Parking Lot Construction Project

January 27, 2020

In late 2017 and the spring of 2018, the Park received record rainfall and was hit by raucous storms. That’s when the retaining wall on the top parking lot fell, diminishing the number of parking spaces. State contractors have now begun the job of redoing the current top parking lot and restoring and extending the Read More

Santa on the Chimney & Breakfast with the Elves

December 4, 2019

Chimney Rock hosts family-friendly holiday events on December 7th and 14th The first two Saturdays of December are some of the most magical days of the year for Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park. On December 7th & 14th, jolly ol’ St. Nick will be practicing for his big upcoming night by rappelling down Read More

Fall Color is Almost Here!!

October 23, 2019

An autumn occurrence that draws a lot of attention in western North Carolina is the fall foliage display. Fall color typically begins at higher elevations and works its way down to the lower lands. With an abundant number of peaks ranging from 1,000 to 6,000+ feet above sea level, the Blue Ridge mountains have one Read More

Visitors Celebrate 64th Annual Easter Sunrise Service

April 21, 2019

Visitors flocked to the Park for the 64th Annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 21. Worshipers enjoyed spiritual music, scripture and sermons from area pastors.

All Easter Sunrise Service Tickets are Gone.

April 1, 2019

All tickets to this year’s Easter Sunrise Service are gone. No additional tickets will be released for the service. Tickets are required for entry to this year’s event, because of limited parking capacity in the Park’s upper parking lot. Visitors who show up to the Park’s front gate without a ticket will not be allowed Read More

Tickets Required for Easter Sunrise Service at Chimney Rock

March 28, 2019

A limited number of free tickets will be released April 1 online Those interested in attending the 64th Annual Easter Sunrise Service at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park on Sunday, April 21, will need a ticket to attend. The Park’s top lot and other areas that are traditionally used for parking sustained damage Read More

Euronews Visits Asheville and Chimney Rock

March 12, 2019

What’s a visit to Asheville without a little hiking? Euronews recently covered their trip to the hip city, where their journalist enjoyed the sights and sounds of the Park, which is located 40 minutes from the downtown area.

Forbes.com features Hickory Nut Falls on Top NC Travel List

February 12, 2019

The Park’s Hickory Nut Falls trail was recently featured on Forbes’ list of places to travel in NC, because of its connection to the film “The Last of the Mohicans”. In case you didn’t know, the Park’s waterfall played a large part of the last 17 minutes of the iconic ’90s film.

Greta the Groundhog predicts more winter, Super Bowl winner

February 4, 2019

Guests traveled from around the country to attend the Park’s 14th Annual Groundhog Day Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 2. John McFadden, from Florida, drove to Chimney Rock to meet his girlfriend, Andi Criscella, from Pennsylvania, for the event. Criscella has been attending Groundhog Day events across the United States every year since 2012. “This has Read More

Llamas Join First Day Hike

January 3, 2019

You never know what you’ll see or get to hike with at the Rock! First Day Hike participants were joined by Greg Hall’s llamas, Sir SpotsaLot and Reepicheep, during Sate Park’s hike up the Park’s main road, which is normally off limits to pedestrian traffic. Hikers had the opportunity to pet, walk and take selfies Read More

New Years Day with Llamas

You never know what you’ll see or get to hike with at the Rock! First Day Hike participants were joined by Greg Hall’s llamas, Sir SpotsaLot and Reepicheep, during Sate Park’s hike up the Park’s main road, which is normally off limits to pedestrian traffic. Hikers had the opportunity to pet, walk and take selfies Read More

Active duty military, veterans visit Chimney Rock

November 19, 2018

Veterans and active duty members of the military spent a day outdoors enjoying the Park during the fourth Hill to Crag event held by the American Alpine Club. Troops enjoyed rock climbing with help from Fox Mountain Guides, hiking and enjoying Chimney Rock’s breathtaking event during the all-day event, which helped raise awareness about the Read More

Santa on the Chimney 2018

October 26, 2018

The first two Saturdays of December are some of the most magical days of the year at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park. That’s because Santa, the fat guy himself, with help from rock climbing professionals from Fox Mountain Guides,  rappels down the Chimney in preparation for his Christmas Eve deliveries at 11:30 a.m., Read More

Vote for Chimney Rock in WNC Magazine’s ‘Best Views of WNC Contest’

October 17, 2018

You can vote for Chimney Rock in WNC Magazine’s ‘Best Views of WNC Contest’ by clicking the image below. The winner will be announced in the 2019 January/February issue of the magazine.

Day and Night Photo Workshop Planned for Nov. 3-Nov. 4

October 15, 2018

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is offering a two-day Day and Night Photo Workshop for photography enthusiasts interested in learning the best ways to capture fall color. On Saturday, Nov. 3, at 9 a.m. through Sunday, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m., professional photographer Chuck Hill will discuss and review panoramic photos, types of Read More