It gets its name from its iconic monolith. Sticking out high above the greenery of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and offering nearly 360-degree views, it’s easy to see why Chimney Rock State Park is listed as one of the top things to do in western North Carolina.
So why question whether it’s worth a visit? Let’s discuss.
What Makes Chimney Rock Unique
Unlike the majority of state parks in North Carolina, Chimney Rock charges an admission fee. And it’s not just a couple bucks. Tickets are currently $17 per person ages 16 and older, and $8 for kids ages 5-15. They also offer a family pass at $45 for two adults and up to three kids 15 and younger.
I’m not a fan of paying to get into a park, especially when there are so many fantastic free options in the area.
But to be fair, Chimney Rock isn’t your typical state park.
It’s the only park I’m aware of in the region that has an elevator for folks who are unable to walk up from the parking lot. (You’ll still need to climb 44 stairs to reach the top of the rock.) There’s a deli and gift shop with indoor bathrooms right by the overlook. And I’ve heard it can get pretty crowded.
For these reasons, I consider Chimney Rock to be more of a tourist attraction with hiking trails, rather than a park. With that said, let’s talk about the trails.
Hiking at Chimney Rock
The hiking trails in Chimney Rock are clear and well-marked, and when combined they offer a decent workout. If you want to maximize your hiking at Chimney Rock, you can do all of the trails in a day.
Trails Below the Rock
Start by parking at the first lot you come to on your left, located by the Animal Discovery Den. (There’s also a short kid-friendly path by the Den called Great Woodland Adventure Trail.)
From there you’ll start on the Four Seasons Trail across the road. Covering 400 feet of elevation gain in 0.6 mile, you’ll end up along the Hickory Nut Falls Trail. This out-and-back path takes you to the park’s only waterfalls. Go right to see the falls, which the park says is one of the tallest east of the Mississippi River at 404 feet. These are also the falls featured in the movie “The Last of the Mohicans.” While the full trail length is 1.4 miles round trip, it’ll be a little shorter since you’re not starting from the trailhead.
After Hickory Nut Falls Trail, it’s time to climb. On your way back from the waterfall, before you reach the trailhead, you’ll see stairs to your right. This is the start of the Outcroppings Trail (though really it should be called the Outcroppings Stairs). From here you’ve got 499 steps to the top of the iconic rock, giving you an elevation gain of 315 feet. Here’s a short video covering the journey from the parking lot to Chimney Rock.
Trails Beyond the Rock
After you’ve climbed up Chimney Rock, your next trail is Exclamation Point. You’ve got another 330 stairs one-way on this 0.6-mile trail, and the park says you’ll climb around 150 vertical feet. Here you’ll come across interesting rock formations like the “Opera Box” and “Devil’s Head” before reaching the overlook.
Finally, your last trail is the out-and-back Skyline Trail, which will take you to the top of Hickory Nut Falls. This is 1.1 miles one way, making it 2.2 miles roundtrip.
If you treat all the trails as one big out-and-back—and assuming you skip viewing the waterfall a second time—you’ll log around 6 miles total.
Who Should Visit Chimney Rock?
So what’s the verdict? Is Chimney Rock worth visiting?
If you have any mobility issues, Chimney Rock is probably the most accessible park in the area thanks to its elevator. But the elevator isn’t always operating, so please check the website before you go to make sure it’s running.
If you’re a movie buff and you liked “The Last of Mohicans,” then this is probably worth checking out since several scenes were filmed here.
If you’re a novice hiker, this is probably an ideal spot to give it a try. I can’t see getting lost in the park and it’s not like you’re going to wander 6 miles from your car before turning around and coming back.
But if you’re an avid hiker, I think there are better options in the area. There are plenty of trails that offer fantastic views and waterfalls that you can see FOR FREE. So don’t worry about skipping this one. Save your $17 and spend it on a delicious post-hike meal.
Even if you’re not a hiker but you want pretty views without an admission fee, the Parkway has a ton of great spots where you can pull over and take in the scenery. But it depends on what time of year you’re visiting, as the parkway is often closed in colder months. In that case, Chimney Rock might be a better option, especially because they do offer lower rates during the winter.
My personal verdict is that I am glad I visited but I wouldn’t go back. I went in February when the weather wasn’t great (hello gray skies and 36 degrees), but that also meant fewer people. Maybe if I had visited on a prettier day I would be a little more enthusiastic about recommending it to others.
Because I do see the appeal in climbing up the stairs on a gorgeous day, taking some photos, and rewarding yourself with a scoop of ice cream at the top. You’re not going to find that on any other peaks in the Western Carolinas.
To summarize: If you choose to look at it as a tourist attraction rather than a park, the views may be worth it.
Resources
NC Parks: Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock State Park includes areas that are not connected to the main attraction where the monolith is. Rumbling Bald and Eagle Rock offer more hiking trails, which are free to access.
Information in this post may have changed since it was published. Please check with each place for the most accurate and updated information.
