One Tank Trips: Things to see and do in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure
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It’s a half-mile loop that includes the added bonus of 12 discovery stations along the route. It’s a wonderful blend of ecological education and whimsy. This trail is short but strenuous, climbing nearly 400 feet in elevation in just over half a mile. It meanders through dense deciduous forest and eventually connects with the Hickory Nut Falls Trail. This famous foray within the park culminates in a 400-foot cascade that is not to be missed. It’s an easy North Carolina hike that is both wide and gentle and only 1.5 mile round trip.
Admission Info (Open Hours)
Not only do you gain a sense of achievement, but the panoramic views from the observation deck are just magnificent. This trail has a natural surface, including stone steps. The Great Woodland Adventure would suit well as a self-guided trail for kids, as part of the nationwide network of Kids in Parks Track Trails, but any trail can be utilized. Visitors can download activity brochures, track all of their adventures online, and get prizes on the Kids in Parks website. Please follow safety rules and encourage others to do the same when you are near waterfall areas. Cameron grew up in Charlotte and spent his childhood traveling around this great region.
North Carolina
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Only the first mile of trail is currently within Chimney Rock State Park property, so please be mindful of local rules and regulations. The trailhead is located at Rumbling Bald access, which is off Boys Camp Road, between Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. This trail, located inside the Chimney Rock attraction, is a child-friendly interpretive trail. It teaches hikers about the animal residents of Chimney Rock State Park through interactive sculptures and displays. Outdoor sculptures handcrafted by North Carolina artists represent all the cute creatures whose habitats are here.
Chimney Rock Village
Chimney Rock State Park boasts some of the most unique and alluring uninterrupted panoramas around. We are obsessed with the outdoors, and work constantly to bring you the information you need to enjoy the rocks and minerals you've added to your collection. Because of its history, this is a great place for the most passionate rockhounders to visit.
Lake Lure
It starts off from the end of Exclamation Point Trail and takes you into the beautiful backcountry for a 2.2 miles round trip. This short sojourn can be accessed after reaching the top of Chimney Rock. It’s a 20-minute diversion up to an even higher peak in the park, 2,480 feet above sea level. These falls were featured in the film Last of the Mohicans and are some of the tallest east of the Mississippi. It’s an awe-inspiring adventure, frozen into magical icy formations or covered in vibrant fall foliage.
Admission Fees and Hours to Chimney Rock State Park:
Along this trail are picnic tables, benches, and resting areas are conveniently located offering you a chance to rest and catch your breath. The view spans for miles, across to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Carolina Piedmont in the distance. We visited Chimney Rock State Park as part of our USA road trip with my parents. It was one of our favorite things to do in North Carolina with family as we all enjoyed different aspects of the hike.
Just outside of Hendersonville is the town of Flat Rock, home to one of our favorite Western NC attractions—the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site. This National Parks site commemorates the famed Pulitzer Prize author’s home, where he spent his final days. Chimney Rock State Park hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Events include outdoor yoga sessions, music concerts, survival skills, and more.
From mines to state parks, a variety of minerals, crystals, gemstones, and rocks can be found in the Tar Heel State. Due to land constraints, there is no sufficient space for adequate parking at Eagle Rock. The Division recognizes the need for additional parking at this location and is working with community partners to provide improved parking in this area.
The best time to visit Chimney Rock is during fall in North Carolina. Come mid to late October, the area is awash with colors, and Chimney Rock will be even more of a spectacle. The upper waters near Bat Cave offer a teeming population of trout and small and largemouth bass in the lower area.
Located less than two hours west of Charlotte, Chimney Rock State Park offers different hiking trails that can lead to many rockhounding opportunities. The Hickory Nut Falls Trail is a 0.7-mile one-way trail (1.4 miles round trip) that will lead you straight to the base of the waterfall. The hike is relatively moderate and doable for small children. There are multiple picnic benches and places to rest along the trail and enjoy the views. From an overlook point, the land falls away to provide views of the Piedmont. Transfer of the World's Edge tract to state ownership was completed in 2006.
Me and husband decided that we were not going to take the elevator and just hike all the way up. It was a fun experience but next time we will take the elevator so we can see the rest of the park. Once you make it to where the flag pole is your not going to want to hike up the rest of the way if you didn't take the elevator. There is also two views of a water fall but we only did the bottom view.
Be sure to confirm the land status and collection rules before you travel to an unfamiliar location or collect any material. There are many places that people can rockhound in the Charlotte NC area. Morse said the "safety of the park was not in question." Kyle A. Kroll, 9, of Charlotte, died from injuries she sustained in a fall about 4 p.m., said to Shane Earley, Rutherford County coroner. Join our community of 700,000+ as we explore North Carolina from the mountains to the sea.
The amazing scenery and buzz that surrounds this place are enough to keep the park on our NC Bucket List. Music lovers should take a second to listen to John Mason, an award-winning artist who plays most sunny days outside the gift shop. Music has always been a key aspect of Appalachian culture, and the state park strives to incorporate music wherever it can. Before or after you explore the top of Chimney Rock, stop by the gift shop for a souvenir to remember the views!
They also have a peacock habitat and goat exhibit to offer more than just rock experiences. From gifts for relatives to keepsakes, this is perfect for visitors who want to wear their experience. The North Carolina State Parks also host a 100-mile challenge throughout their state parks. The mountains here provide an opportunity to see rocks up close and personal by scaling their cliffs and mountainsides. Friends of State Parks is a nonprofit citizen organization supporting, promoting, and advocating for the North Carolina State Parks system as a whole. The group helps provide funding for Junior Ranger and Youth in Parks – Environmental Education programs, as well as grants for state parks projects.
State parks are great places for birthday parties, reunions, weddings, and more. Learn more about event permits and fees on the Facilities page. Park staff lead regularly scheduled interpretive programs that allow the public to gain perspective into what makes North Carolina state parks naturally wonderful. Most events are free, though some may require pre-registration.
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