Chimney Rock Park, near the Cabins at Spring House Farm

Near our Cabins: Chimney Rock Park

Just 18 miles from your secluded log cabin rental at Spring House Farm is Chimney Rock State Park in the scenic Hickory Nut Gorge. The top of Chimney Rock, a height of 2,280 feet above sea level, provides a 75-mile view of Lake Lure, Hickory Nut Gorge and the Carolina Piedmont. The Chimney is actually a 535-million-year-old remnant of igneous rock. From the upper parking lot, you can reach the Chimney by the trail system or ride a 26-story elevator inside the mountain. The elevator opens into the Sky Lounge Gift Shop & Deli at Chimney level.

Chimney Rock's trail system features five unique hiking trails that lead to 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in eastern America. The trails provide visitors an opportunity to see rare and indigenous plants, unusual geological formations and a variety of native wildlife.

The Hickory Nut Falls trail winds through rhododendron and hardwoods to the base of the Falls. From the pool at the end of the Hickory Nut Falls trail, the Falls cascade another 900 feet before joining the Rocky Broad River at the floor of the Gorge. The trail takes approximately an hour round-trip.

The Four Seasons trail is a moderate-to-strenuous trail that begins at the upper end of the Meadows and climbs up – past hardwood trees, thickets of Carolina rhododendron and mountain laurel, a rich cove hardwood forest community, possible sightings of wild turkey and deer activity, and large rock formations before the trail joins the Hickory Nut Falls trail about 1/3 of the way out to the bottom of Hickory Nut Falls. This hike is approximately 1 mile in length. The large rock outcropping about 2/3 of the way up the trail offers not only a nice place to rest, but also a good place to listen to the many bird species found in the Park.

Hickory Nut Falls The Nature Center on the lower Meadows features exhibits on the natural and human history of the Park and is the setting for special programs and hands-on workshops throughout the year. Grady’s Animal Discovery Den, located on the upper Meadows, gives guests a hands-on experience with some of the animals that call the Park home.

Through a partnership with Fox Mountain Guides, the Southeast's only AMGA (American Mountain Guides Association) accredited guide service, guests of all ages and abilities can climb the rock faces of the Park. For those not ready to take on the actual cliffs, groups can arrange to climb their 32-foot climbing tower.

The Old Rock Café located in Chimney Rock Village not only offers lunch and beverages overlooking the Rocky Broad River and RiverWalk. Some fun old photos of the “Rock” for which the Café is named can be found in the restaurant.

With its dramatic scenery, the Park has become popular as a site for Hollywood film locations and backdrops for commercials. You may have recognized the Park’s cliffs in Atkins Power Bar and REI outdoor gear print ads. A Breed Apart, starring Powers Boothe; Firestarter, starring George C. Scott and Drew Barrymore; and the 1992 release of the epic film The Last of the Mohicans, starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe, introduced Chimney Rock Park and its trail system to an international audience.

Hickory Nut Gorge and the surrounding areas are gently touched by the four seasons. Located in the thermal belt, the Park is protected by the higher mountains to the north. Consequently the spring flowers occur earlier than in other mountain areas and the fall colors appear later, sometimes lasting well into the second week of November.

The entrance to Chimney Rock is in the middle of the Chimney Rock Village, home to shops and restaurants.

Chimney Rock Park opens daily at 8:30 am, weather permitting, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The Ticket Plaza closes at 5:30 pm Eastern Daylight Time and 4:30 pm Eastern Standard Time. The Park remains open 1½ hours after the Ticket Plaza closes. For additional information, call 800-277-9611 or visit chimneyrockpark.com.

After your visit to Chimney Rock, return to your secluded cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains to relax by a fire or in your hot tub.