We join others in our community who are enthused about the reopening of Chimney Rock State Park and the Chimney Rock attraction to visitors on June 27, exactly nine months after Hurricane Helene devastated the surrounding communities.

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and N.C. State Parks, both based in Raleigh, announced the reopening on June 6 in a press release. 

Among those who are fired up about the reopening is Governor Josh Stein, who was quoted in the release as saying, “Chimney Rock is a Western North Carolina jewel. Reopening the state park will draw tourists back to this area. I am pleased that DNCR, DOT and local leaders in Chimney Rock were able to get this park open for people to enjoy and so local businesses can thrive.”

The release added, “Access to the park has been limited since September 2024 due to the loss of the park entrance bridge. The N.C. Department of Transportation recently completed work on a temporary bridge and repairs to the park’s roads.”

To that end, Pamela B. Cashwell, secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, said in the release, “The reopening of this iconic park is another positive step toward recovery in western North Carolina. We could not reopen Chimney Rock without the swift work of the N.C. Department of Transportation and the leadership from Governor Josh Stein and his recovery team.”

Also quoted in the release, State Parks Director Brian Strong asserted, “We are grateful for the strong partnership with the local communities and their leadership, along with Chimney Rock Management. We are so excited to welcome visitors back to Chimney Rock State Park.”

While park hours and additional details will be announced soon, advance reservations will be required to access the Chimney Rock attraction. The ticketing reservation system — at chimneyrockpark.com — will go live approximately one week prior to the reopening. Capacity will be limited due to ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts in the area.

“Located in Rutherford County, Chimney Rock State Park offers some of North Carolina’s most dramatic mountain scenery, overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure,” the release stated. “For a fee, visitors can take an elevator or hike to the top of the park’s namesake, a 315-foot freestanding rock spire...” 

To all that, we can only add that we hope to see you out there!