Groundhog Day at Chimney Rock State Park

February 2, 2016  Grady's Groundhog Day at Chimney Rock Park.  What will Grady predict for the remaining winter weather forecast?  Come to Chimney Rock Park and find out while enjoying an educational program on the lives of groundhogs and other woodland critters. 

photos courtesy Chimney Rock Park

Guided family hikes on the Great Woodland Adventure trail will follow the program at noon and 12:30 PM. Kid’s Groundhog Day crafts will be offered from noon-1 PM. 

Father's Day Weekend Event: Chimney Rock Park FREE Tickets for Dads

June 15 -16   Father's Day Celebration at Chimney Rock Park  Buy one get one FREE Tickets. Make Dad's day special by bringing him to Chimney Rock for a day of scenic hiking or even guided rock climbing. Download the special coupon. Coupon must be presented to the Ticket Plaza at the time of purchase. Valid June 15-16, 2013.

Chimney Rock Park is named for a 500 million-year-old giant granite monolith overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge. Visitors are awed by the breathtaking view that spreads 1200 vertical feet beneath them and 75 miles across the Carolinas. The now state owned park encompasses 1,000 acres offers the best of the mountains in one place with spectacular 75-mile views, hiking trails for all ages, a 404-foot waterfall, a variety of special events and much more.  

Learn more about Chimney Rock NC HERE

Groundhog Day this weekend at Chimney Riock Park

February 2    Grady's Groundhog Day   at Chimney Rock Park. What will Grady predict for the remaining winter weather forecast? Come to Chimney Rock Park and find out while enjoying an educational program on the lives of groundhogs and other woodland critters.

Guided family hikes on the Great Woodland Adventure trail will follow the program at noon and 12:30 PM. Kid’s Groundhog Day crafts will be offered from noon-1 PM. You may also visit the Park website any time to cast your vote on whether or not Grady will see his shadow.

To celebrate Grady’s special day, Chimney Rock Park is offering a discount on membership in Grady's Kids Club, the Annual Pass for youth (ages 5-15), for $8 during February. Enjoy visits to the Park for 18 months, discounts on Park retail, dining and events and savings at favorite area attractions.

Learn more about Chimney Rock Park and Chimney Rock NC HERE.

Chimney Rock Park Fall WIldflower Hike

October 6   Off the Beaten Path Guided Hikes: Fall Wildflower    The Changing of  leaves is not the only source of Fall color in the mountains. In Chimney Rock Park there are magnificent fall flowers along the trails. 

With guide Ron Lance, an internationally renowned and published naturalist, you can discover yet another beauty of the mountains.  Many folks think spring is the peak wildflower season, but at Chimney Rock  flowers are in bloom much of the year. Expect to see such beauties as asters, Pink Turtlehead, boneset and more. Off the Beaten Path Guided Hikes: Fall Wildflower

Learn more about Chimney Rock Park on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide.

Flock to the Rock this Weekend at Chimney Rock Park

September 29-30   Flock to the Rock  If you love birds and birding you need to head for Chimney Rock Park thsi weekend for  Western North Carolina’s premier fall migration birding event.   Birds flock to Chimney Rock Park,  an official site on the NC Birding Trail with 130-plus species spotted. Families, kids and couples will love the live Birds of Prey programs. All weekend, there will be free guided walks with expert area ornithologists, workshops and bird/nature photography, along with fun activities and bird-related vendors.

Attendees may be able to spot dozens of Broadwing hawks flying overhead to southern wintering grounds during this prime annual hawk migration time.

Get a link for Flock to the Rock and other events at Chimney Rock Park on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide.

Chimney Rock Park hosts Dulcimer Workshop

September 22    Hammered Dulcimer Workshop at Chimney Rock Park   Learn to play the “only American instrument” using traditional strumming and flat-picking techniques in a fun and relaxed environment. John Mason, acclaimed hammered dulcimer artist who has toured the Southeast for 30 years and been the Park’s featured musician, will teach you all about this traditional folk instrument.

John guarantees you’ll be able to play at least one full song by the end of the workshop. It’s a great family-friendly activity for beginners and intermediates. A limited number of instruments are available.k for the Dulcimer

Get a link for the dulcimer workshop and other Chimney Rock Park events on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide.

Take a Hike - in Chimney Rock Park

September 15   Saturdays at Four Seasons Guided Hikes at Chimney Rock Park   A complimentary guided hike (with paid Park admission) on the Four Seasons trail. Witness nature’s changing seasons on this 0.6-mile moderate-to-strenuous hike starts at the Meadows and climbs 400 feet of elevation to the top parking lot. Not recommended for children under 12.

This trail winds through hardwood trees and past thickets of Carolina Rhododendron, mountain laurel, abundant wildflowers and indigenous plants. Same-day signup at Cliff Dwellers; limited to 20 people. Meet for the hike near the climbing tower on the Meadows at 1 PM.

Chimney Rock Park is a favorite hiking destination for locals and visitors alike. Get more information about Chimney Rock Park trails on the
NC Mountain Trail Guide.

Free Hike Fridays at Chimney Rock

August 3-31  Free Hike Fridays at Chimney Rock Park  Free guided hike out to Hickory Nut Falls, the tallest waterfall on the east coast at an incredible 404 feet. While many recognize the falls from the movie The Last of the Mohicans, the Park trail guide will share with you lesser-known facts about the plant and animal found along the trail during summer, in addition to some interesting Park history.

Meet the trail guide for the hike in front of Cliff Dwellers Gifts at 11AM on Fridays in August. No registration required.

Learn About Bees at Chimney Rock Park

August 18   The Buzz on Bees at Chimney Rock Park  More than 1/3 of the world’s food supply depends on honey bees for pollination. Now the bee population is in trouble—learn why and what you can do to help. Chat with local beekeeping experts, observe enclosed live bee hives, learn about the basics of beekeeping and honey production and bring home local honey and beeswax products. Kids’ activities will be offered and a prize will be awarded to the winner of the bee costume contest. 11 AM - 3 PM.

Get a link and learn more about Chimney Rock Park on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide.

Guided Bird Walk Today at Chimney Rock Park

photo by Christopher L. Wood

July 1   Simon Says Guided Bird Walk Join world-traveled birding expert Simon Thompson to see and hear our feathered friends, including Worm-eating, Swainson's, Black-and-white, Hooded and Yellow-throated Warblers. Chimney Rock is an official site on the NC Birding Trail and hosts the region’s premier fall migration birding event, Flock to the Rock.