Chimney Rock State Park

Chimney Rock State Park TRACK Trail map

The TRACK Trail adventures for Chimney Rock State Park were designed to be used on any trail in the park. However, kids will probably most enjoy the Great Woodland Adventure trail which is located right next to the trailhead kiosk on the side of Grady’s Animal Discovery Den. The Great Woodland Adventure Trail is a 0.5-mile long loop trail that has several interpretive exhibits for kids to interact with along the way. To get your brochure-led adventures, visit the trailhead kiosk located on the side of Grady’s Animal Discovery Den, near the rock climbing wall and shuttle station.

There’s something for everyone at Chimney Rock State Park – especially kids! You can hike the trails and discover amazing rock formations, outcroppings, and large cliffs. You can hike to the base of 404 foot tall Hickory Nut Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River, and for the real adventurous hikes, climb to the top of Chimney Rock itself. Visit the Chimney Rock Website at www.chimneyrockpark.com to learn more about the kid-friendly fun at Chimney Rock State Park.

Track an adventure here
Chimney Rock State Park TRACK Trail sticker

Location Details

Recreational Features: Picnic Tables, Interpretive Programs, Birding
Amenities: Restrooms, Nature Center, Visitor Center, Gift Shop
ADA Compliant: No
Seasonality: Open all year
Chimney Rock in Fall
Chimney Rock Ribbon Cutting
Young boy inside a large wooden turtle shell
Landscape view and the Broad River
Picture of the Chimney Rock TRACK Trail
Young girl hugging a tree
Wooden owl perched on a wooden trail marker

Adventures for Chimney Rock State Park

Hiking

Nature's Hide & Seek

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
0.60
The Nature's Hide & Seek brochure is designed so that kids of all ages can walk along the trail and discover common things that are often overlooked in nature. Some of them are hard to find, others are easy. Best of all, the adventure never ends because every time you walk the trail you will discover new things hiding in nature.
Hiking

Flower Power

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
0.60
Many flowers depend on relationships with pollinators to reproduce. Use the clues in this brochure to see how a flower’s size, shape, color and smell have the power to attract unique pollinators.
Hiking

Hikin' to Find Lichen

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
0.60
This brochure-led adventure takes kids deep into the mysterious world of lichen. Kids will discover the three different forms lichen can take, and some of the features that make the lichen lifestyle unique. Kids will also read the Lichen story about Alice Algae and Freddy Fungi to help them remember how lichens work.
Chimney Rock: The Need For Trees brochure
Hiking

Chimney Rock: The Need For Trees

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
0.60
By following the picture and textual clues found in "The Need for Trees" brochure, you will discover six of the more common trees found in Chimney Rock State Park. During your adventure, you will learn about the need we, and other animals, have for trees and about the roles they play in the forest.
Hiking

Let's Explore - ecoEXPLORE

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
0.60
Scientists need your help! Use this brochure to learn how to be an ecoEXPLORER and share your nature observations with real scientists.
Hiking

Salamander Safari

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
0.60
Use this brochure to learn about the unique life cycles of salamanders (and newts) and how to take field notes to identify a salamander.

Directions

431 Main St.
Chimney Rock, NC 28720
Latitude: 35.439921400000
Longitude: -82.248952400000

From East Asheville

Take Interstate 240 East to Exit #9 (Blue Ridge Parkway and Highway 74A East). Stay on 74A East for 20 miles and the Park entrance will be on the right.

From West Asheville

Take Interstate 26 East toward Hendersonville to Exit #49A (Bat Cave and Highway 64 East). Stay on 64 East for 15 miles and the Park entrance will be on the right.

From Charlotte

Take Interstate 85 South to Exit #10 (King's Mountain and Highway 74 West). Drive on 74 West for about one hour. At Exit #167, turn right onto Highway 9 North. Go 14 miles to the stop sign (Lake Lure will be in front of you). Turn left at the stop sign onto Highway 64/74A West. Go 4 miles and the Park entrance will be on the left.

From the Blue Ridge Parkway

Exit the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 384.7 near Asheville onto Highway 74A East. Stay on 74A East for 20 miles and the Park entrance will be on the right.

From Other Locations:

http://www.chimneyrockpark.com/visit/rates/directions.php

GPS Directions:

431 Main St.

Chimney Rock, NC 28720

Chimney Rock Trail Map

Partners

The Chimney Rock TRACK Trail was made possible through partnerships formed between the Kids in Parks program and Chimney RockNorth Carolina State Parks, and with grant funds provided by the National Park Foundation.