Chimney Rock State Park is an area of outstanding natural beauty and is one of the most popular mountains in Western North Carolina.
This 500-million-year-old monument is the perfect place for nature lovers and hikers to experience the fresh mountain are of Rutherford County, see rare, native plants and fauna, and gaze upon the serene landscape from the top.
Fortunately, getting to the top is easy, since the are 499 steps from the park entrace to the viewpoint at the top.
Don’t worry though, it’s completely worth it once you reach the top. Not only do you gain a sense of achievement, but the panoramic views from the observation deck are just magnificent.
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.
For my dad, being a big movie buff, enjoyed seeing the film set of Last of the Mohicans staring Daniel Day Lewis, which made the Chimney Rock attraction so famous by the movie. My dad loved the connection that the Chimney Rock area has to that movie.
But where is Chimney Rock and how do you climb it? What do I need to know before I go? Well, if you’re asking all these questions you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, I’ll be telling you everything you need to know about Chimney Rock so you can have the best experience.
Where is Chimney Rock State Park?
Getting to Chimney Rock is easy. Because the drive time from downtown Asheville is just 40-minutes, it’s one our top suggestions for things to do near Asheville.
It is located in the Village of Chimney Rock and easily accessible from highway I-40.
From Charlotte it’s a 2-hour drive, from our home in Raleigh it’s 4 hours, and it’s only a 5-minute drive from one of our favorite places to visit in North Carolina, Lake Lure.
Click the map above for Chimney Rock directions from your starting point.
What is Chimney Rock?
Chimney Rock is a 35-million-year-old, 315-foot high large granite outcropping located on a summit above the village of Chimney Rock and inside of Chimney Rock State Park.
It was discovered by Lucius B. Morse who opened it as a private park in 1902. The entirely of Chimney Rock State Park spans for 6,800 acres and is most famous for the granite “Chimney Rock” which is so named because it looks like a rock…
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