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Our last morning in Asheville had arrived, and we were getting ready to head home. We had enjoyed the lively downtown area of Asheville, but it didn’t feel quite right to leave without seeing a little more of the beautiful natural landscape surrounding the city. So Brad’s aunt suggested that we visit Chimney Rock State Park, a local favorite for hiking, mountain views, and fresh air.

We drove into the little town at the base of the park and looked up toward the mountain. A large rock jutted dramatically out from the mountainside, and when I pointed it out, Brad’s aunt laughed. “That’s where we’re going.”

The tiny flag at the top of Chimney Rock was barely visible from where we stood below. Suddenly, our idea of a quick morning hike seemed a little more ambitious. But we were already there, so up we went.

Chimney Rock State Park

1. Why Visit Chimney Rock State Park?
2. Getting to Chimney Rock
3. The Chimney Rock Trail
4. The Grotto
5. Vista Rock
6. Reaching Chimney Rock
7. Going Back Down
8. Harvest Nut Trail and the Waterfall
9. Planning Your Visit to Chimney Rock State Park
10. FAQ: Chimney Rock State Park

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Why Visit Chimney Rock State Park?

Chimney Rock State Park is one of those places where the scenery starts before you even reach the trail. The mountains rise around the small town below, and the distinctive rock formation at the top gives you a pretty good idea of what you’re about to climb toward.

The real attraction is the view from Chimney Rock itself. From the top, you can look out across the mountains and the river valley below, with the distinctive blue haze of the Blue Ridge Mountains stretching into the distance.

And while there are longer hikes available in the park, you don’t necessarily need to spend an entire day hiking to experience the best of Chimney Rock. That was exactly what we needed.

We only had a morning before starting the drive home, so we chose a shorter route to Chimney Rock and then added another easy trail afterward. It gave us a chance to experience the dramatic mountain scenery without turning our last morning in North Carolina into an all-day hiking expedition.

Chimney Rock also makes a natural addition to a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip, especially if you’re already exploring the Asheville area.

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Getting to Chimney Rock

Once we arrived at the park, we got our first real look at Chimney Rock. Admission is charged per person rather than per vehicle, so check the park’s current rates before visiting.

There were three ways to reach the top:

• Hike from the town: A much longer hike that takes several hours.
• Take the stairs from the parking area: A shorter route with roughly 500 stairs winding up the mountain.
• Take the elevator: The easiest option and a popular choice for visitors who don’t want to climb the stairs.

We decided on the middle option. If we’re going to make the climb, we might as well make the climb.

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The Chimney Rock Trail

The trail from the parking area to Chimney Rock is not especially long, but don’t let the distance fool you. The challenge comes from the stairs.

There are roughly 500 steps that make their way up the mountain in a series of switchbacks. At first, we felt pretty good about ourselves. Then the stairs kept going…and going.

Our five-year-old, naturally, had absolutely no problem with this. While the rest of us stopped occasionally to catch our breath, she cruised up the stairs with the boundless energy that only a five-year-old can possess.

At one point, I was further behind because I was trying to take pictures of everyone. This was apparently unacceptable. “Hurry up, Mama!”. I huffed and puffed my way to catch up to them.

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The Grotto

One of the more interesting sections of the climb is the Grotto. Rather than continuing straight up the stairs, part of the trail cuts into the rock and takes you through a small opening to the other side.

This isn’t a long or particularly cramped passage. Even those who aren’t fond of tight spaces should be able to make it through without much trouble.

For us, it was also a welcome break from the stairs. Any opportunity to stop climbing upward for a minute was appreciated.

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Vista Rock

About midway through the route, there is a short detour over to Vista Rock. This smaller rock formation sits just below Chimney Rock but still provides beautiful views of the valley and mountains below.

It was worth taking the little detour, especially since it gave us another perspective of the landscape before continuing toward the main attraction.

And then, finally, we could see the flag- we were getting close.

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Reaching Chimney Rock

The higher we climbed, the more landings appeared along the stairs. These gave everyone a chance to pause, catch their breath, and take in the scenery. I was bringing up the rear, partly because I was taking pictures and partly because I was trying to convince my lungs that this had all been a good idea.

But eventually we reached the top. And it was worth it. Standing on Chimney Rock and looking out across the mountains was one of those moments when you forget how hard the climb was.

The mountains stretched out in every direction, with the river winding through the valley below. Even though we were visiting toward the end of winter, the scenery was incredible.

There was a real sense of accomplishment in standing there, too. We had looked up from the town and barely been able to see the little flag at the top. Now we were standing beside it.

The area was crowded with people celebrating their own arrival at the top, and everyone seemed to have the same expression of relief and excitement. We had made it.

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Going Back Down

Going down was considerably easier than going up. Instead of returning through the Grotto, we took the Subway path, which passes through a small slot-canyon-like section of the rock. After all those stairs, it was nice to have something interesting to look at that didn’t require us to climb.

Eventually we made our way back down to the parking area. At that point, we had technically accomplished what we came to do. But we weren’t quite ready to leave.

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Harvest Nut Trail and the Waterfall

Since we still had a little time before getting back on the road, we decided to take another short trail near the parking area. We chose the Harvest Nut Trail, an easy trail of about a mile and a half round trip. After the hundreds of stairs at Chimney Rock, this trail felt almost ridiculously easy.

The trail follows along the side of the mountain and stays relatively level, making it a nice contrast to the climb we had just finished. And the payoff at the end was beautiful. A waterfall cascades down the dark mountainside, surrounded by the lush greenery of the park. You can walk right up near the bottom of the waterfall or simply sit on one of the benches and enjoy the view.

It was a completely different experience from standing on top of Chimney Rock. The climb had given us the big panoramic mountain view. This little trail gave us a quiet spot beside the water.

With one last look at the waterfall, we turned around and headed back toward the parking lot. We may not have had time for the longer hikes that begin down in town, but between the climb to Chimney Rock and the Harvest Nut Trail, we felt like we had experienced a pretty wonderful little piece of the park.

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Planning Your Visit to Chimney Rock State Park

Chimney Rock works well as a day trip from Asheville or as a stop during a larger Blue Ridge Mountains road trip. Because there are several ways to reach the main rock, you can tailor your visit to the amount of time and energy you have.

Choose Your Route

If you want the full hiking experience, you can begin down in the town and take the longer trail toward Chimney Rock.

If you have less time or simply don’t want several hours of hiking, the stairs from the parking area provide a much shorter route.

And if stairs aren’t an option for you, the elevator allows you to reach the top without making the climb.

Just remember that the shorter route doesn’t necessarily mean an easy route. Those roughly 500 stairs are still a workout.

Give Yourself Time for the Views

Don’t plan your visit so tightly that you have to rush to the top and immediately leave.

There are several places along the route to stop, and once you reach Chimney Rock, you’ll probably want some time to enjoy the views and take pictures.

If you have extra time, consider adding the Harvest Nut Trail and waterfall to your visit.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Even if you’re taking the shorter route, you’ll be climbing a lot of stairs and walking over uneven mountain terrain. Comfortable shoes with good traction will make the experience much more enjoyable.

And bring water. Your future self will thank you somewhere around stair number 300.

Visiting With Kids

Chimney Rock can be a fun family adventure, but the stairs are the biggest consideration.

Our five-year-old handled the climb far better than the adults did, although every child is different. Take your time, use the landings as opportunities to rest, and don’t feel like you have to race to the top.

If your children aren’t up for the stairs, the elevator provides another option.

Why We Loved Chimney Rock

Our visit to Chimney Rock wasn’t the longest hike we’ve ever done, and it certainly wasn’t the easiest. But sometimes a short hike can still feel like a big adventure.

We climbed hundreds of stairs, squeezed through the Grotto, wandered across Vista Rock, stood on top of Chimney Rock, and then finished the morning with an easy walk to a waterfall. Most importantly, we did it together.

We had started the morning thinking we were simply going to squeeze in one last glimpse of the mountains before heading home. Instead, we ended up with a morning full of fresh air, sore legs, beautiful views, and one very energetic five-year-old who apparently had no intention of waiting for her mother.

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FAQ: Chimney Rock State Park

• Is Chimney Rock State Park worth visiting?

Yes. The views from Chimney Rock are spectacular, and there are several ways to experience the park depending on your available time and hiking ability.

• How many stairs are there to Chimney Rock?

The stair route from the parking area involves roughly 500 steps. The stairs wind up the mountainside through a series of switchbacks.

• Can you take an elevator to Chimney Rock?

Yes. Visitors who don’t want to climb the stairs can take the elevator from the visitor center area to the top.

• Is Chimney Rock good for kids?

It can be a fun family outing, although the stairs are strenuous. Younger children may need more time and encouragement, while older children who enjoy hiking may have a great time. The elevator provides an alternative to the stairs.

• How long do you need at Chimney Rock State Park?

You can see Chimney Rock in a couple of hours if you take the shorter route from the parking area, although you’ll want additional time if you plan to explore more trails or enjoy the park at a slower pace.

• Can you see a waterfall at Chimney Rock?

Yes. The Harvest Nut Trail is an easy addition to a visit and leads to a beautiful waterfall. The trail is about 1½ miles round trip.

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By the time we got back to the parking lot after the stairs and the waterfall trail, we were definitely ready to get in the car and begin the drive home.

Chimney Rock had been a challenge, but it was also incredibly rewarding. There is something satisfying about looking up at a destination from the bottom of a mountain and then eventually standing on top of it.

We may have only had a few hours to spend in the park, but those hours gave us exactly what we had hoped for on our last morning in Asheville: one more taste of the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.

And yes, the view was worth all those stairs.

Thanks for coming along on this visit to Chimney Rock State Park. May the view from the top be worth every step it took to get there.

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Follow along for more adventures near and far!

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