Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park will reopen to the public Friday, June 27, exactly nine months after closing due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene.The storm caused historic fl ooding that washed away the Park's bridge, just as the Flood of 1916 had done a century ago, and damaged the majority of businesses in nearby Chimney Rock Village. The Park's reopening marks a milestone for the Hickory Nut Gorge community and Western North Carolina as a whole. Guests will be able to access the Park via a temporary
bridge located in Chimney Rock Village, just
east of the original Park gates.
"A lot has changed since Hurricane
Helene, but what's still here is the spirit of
Chimney Rock and the people who care for
it," said Emily Walker, Director and General
Manager of Chimney Rock Management.
"We've missed our guests and are thrilled to
be able to welcome them back to this place
they love."
Reopening the Park safely and quickly
has taken a unifi ed effort. Among those
involved are North Carolina State Parks,
the North Carolina Department of Natural
and Cultural Resources, the North Carolina
Department of Transportation, Chimney
Rock Management, local and state leaders,
and numerous contractors, including Wright
Brothers Construction.
New Visiting Procedures
Park operations will be adjusted and
subject to change as we support the
ongoing recovery efforts in the area.
Guests should be prepared for the
following changes:
• Advance Reservations Required: All
guests must reserve tickets to the attraction
in advance at chimneyrockpark.com. We
anticipate online reservations being available
one week prior to reopening. Capacity will be
limited as we work to be sensitive to recovery
efforts in the Hickory Nut Gorge.
• Open Friday-Monday Only: Initially, the
Park will be open Friday-Monday, as we
transition back to daily hours. Reservations
will be available 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Guests
can enjoy the Park until 7:00 PM. Opening
time for Friday, July 27 will be announced at
a later date.
New Directions and Detours: The only
route open to Chimney Rock is NC 9 through
Lake Lure, accessed via Columbus/Mill
Spring. The Park's new temporary address is
174 Chimney Rock Park Rd., Chimney Rock,
NC 28710. All other routes remain closed
to non-local traffi c, including US 74A from
Asheville, US 64 from Hendersonville, and
NC 9 from Black Mountain.
• Guests should plan extra travel time and
drive with care.
Chimney Rock Village status: Chimney
Rock Village has no offi cial reopening date at
this time, though businesses hope to reopen
soon. Many restaurants and businesses in
Lake Lure are currently open and eager to
welcome guests back.
At the time of the Park's reopening, there
will be no public parking in the Village or
access to the Rocky Broad River.
The entire Chimney Rock team is excited
and grateful to welcome guests back to the
Park, and to continue creating elevated
experiences in this extraordinary place.
About Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State
Park: Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
is recognized as one of the Southeast's most iconic
sites and popular travel destinations. The Park's
535-million-year-old monolith called Chimney Rock
can be accessed via a state-of-the-art elevator or the
nearly 500-step Outcroppings Trail. At the top, guests
can enjoy 75-mile panoramic views of the Hickory Nut
Gorge and Lake Lure. The Park features one of the
highest waterfalls of its kind east of the Mississippi
River, Hickory Nut Falls. A destination for travel groups
and special events, the Chimney Rock section of the
Park also hosts innovative educational programs for
fi eld trips, scout groups, and summer camps.
Article Provided By: Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock State Park Reopens
June 27