September 2024 update: the Chimney Rock community has been devastated by the effects of Hurricane Helene and Chimney Rock State Park is not currently accessible. Check their website for the most up-to-date information before visiting. In the meantime, check out some of my favorite photos that I’ve taken there, as well as a few gorgeous places in the South Carolina mountains, just over the state line.
Chimney Rock State Park in Chimney Rock, North Carolina has a beautiful view of the mountains and Lake Lure. It’s a popular place to stop while visiting Asheville, at about 45 minutes from the Grove Park Inn.
One of the things that brings people to the Lake Lure area is the movies that were filmed in the area. Parts of Dirty Dancing were filmed in the Lake Lure area, so I always listen to that soundtrack while I’m in the area because it’s a really fun one. Chimney Rock State Park itself was one of the filming locations for The Last of the Mohicans.
When you navigate to Chimney Rock State Park, it’ll bring you to the park entrance, which is right in the heart of downtown Chimney Rock. From there, you’ll drive for about a mile before you reach the ticket booth. Tickets can also be purchased online in advance, and there are annual passes available.
About two miles after the ticket booth, you’ll get to the main parking lot. The road is windy, but the directions are clear. The parking lot is at the base of the mountain. You’ll see a gift shop and a tunnel, which will lead you to the elevator.
The elevator goes 26 stories up the mountain, as opposed to taking about 500 stairs. The stairs will take you a scenic route through different outcroppings and overlooks. Dogs can only use the stairs, not the elevator.
If you take the elevator, you’ll exit into the visitor center, where there’s a gift shop, a deli, and bathrooms. When you cross to the other side of the visitor center, there is a deck that leads to two sets of stairs. One leads to the Chimney Rock overlook, while the other will lead you to the upper trails.
The staircase that leads you to the trails will lead to the Opera Box, an outcropping that faces the Chimney Rock overlook. I like using the Opera Box to get wide shots of the overlook, which can include the whole American flag.
Weather at Chimney Rock State Park
There have been multiple times where the park has had to close because the wind has knocked power lines into the road. In one case, I had to pivot to the Flowering Bridge for a proposal because we didn’t know when the park would reopen. The wind can also affect whether the American flag is out—the flag can come low enough to touch people, so it can be a safety hazard if the wind is extreme.
Like any summit, sometimes the view can be covered by clouds. Sometimes this looks like cloud inversion, like in the photo below, and sometimes you can’t see anything at all beyond the overlook. Keep this in mind before you visit, and check out my advice for taking photos on cloudy days.
Trails at Chimney Rock State Park
At the base of the stairs, you can take the trail to the base of Hickory Nut Falls. The trail is fairly easy and it took us about 45 minutes to get there and back.
Aside from the stairs, the other trails are above the overlook. We will have to go back another time to assess how difficult the other trails are without using the stairs. You’ll reach Exclamation Point, one of the best views in the park. Eventually, you can take the trail all the way to the top of Hickory Nut Falls.
So far, every photo session I’ve had at Chimney Rock has been in the morning, but if I went in the evening, I’d want the photos to be at Exclamation Point. It’s the best view in the park and faces the opposite direction of the overlook. I don’t have a photo of a couple there yet, but here’s my dog at Exclamation Point with some beautiful cloud inversion down below.
Christmas at Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock has some really fun decor at Christmastime! These were taken on a Tuesday morning in December, right when the park opened, and we didn’t see anyone else in the park the entire time.
Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
Some of the photos I’ve done at Chimney Rock have also included the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, which is about a 5-minute drive from the park. It’s a volunteer-run mini botanical garden along the side of the road that has different themed gardens that change throughout the year. It’s free to enter, but they welcome donations to maintain the garden. It looks small as you drive by, but there’s a lot to see! You can read more about it here.
View of Chimney Rock from Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
Lake Lure Flowering Bridge in late winter/early spring
More Photos from Chimney Rock and Lake Lure
Ready for the best day ever?
My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 47 of our state parks. Sometimes we wear hiking boots, sometimes we wear dress shoes, and sometimes we’re barefoot in the surf.
One thing I love about South Carolina is that it’s not just the beaches and colorful houses that you imagine when you picture it. Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.
I can’t wait to meet you!
