Chimney Rock State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules

Places › Chimney Rock State Park

Chimney Rock State Park is a North Carolina state park in Chimney Rock, Rutherford County, in our Asheville & Foothills region. The Rumbling Bald access is free, while the Chimney Rock attraction charges per person. The gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., depending on the month. It is closed on Christmas Day. Facts read from the official page on October 27, 2026.

AdmissionFree at Rumbling BaldChimney Rock attraction charges
HoursCloses 6 to 9 p.m.Opens 8 a.m., by month
ClosedChristmas Dayother holidays: open
DogsOn a 6 ft leashmore rules below

About Chimney Rock State Park

A 315-foot rock spire overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure gives this Rutherford County park its name. The Chimney Rock attraction charges admission, while the Rumbling Bald access is free and more rugged.

Plan It in Three Lines

Getting In
Rumbling Bald is free; the Chimney Rock attraction charges per person.
Closes 6 to 9 p.m.
Bring the Dog?
Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limits indoors and in some areas.
Full rules below
Make It a Trip
Mount Mitchell State Park is about 22 miles away (straight line).
2 units within 30 miles

Chimney Rock State Park Hours

At the Rumbling Bald Access table, the gate closes between 6 p.m. (Nov to Feb) and 9 p.m. (May to Aug). It opens 8 a.m. Month by month, as the park prints it:

Closing Time by Month Rumbling Bald Access, p.m.

Bars show the hour the gate closes, drawn from the month table below it. Taller means later.

Rumbling Bald Access

Month	Hours
January	8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February	8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March	8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April	8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May	8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
June	8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
July	8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
August	8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September	8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
October	8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November	8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December	8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Chimney Rock Attraction

Month	Gate Hours	Ticket Sales and Admission
January	10 a.m. to 6 p.m.	end at 4:30 p.m.
February	10 a.m. to 6 p.m.	end at 4:30 p.m.
March	8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.	end at 5:30 p.m.
April	8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.	end at 5:30 p.m.
May	8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.	end at 5:30 p.m.
June	8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.	end at 5:30 p.m.
July	8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.	end at 5:30 p.m.
August	8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.	end at 5:30 p.m.
September	8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.	end at 5:30 p.m.
October	8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.	end at 5:30 p.m.
November	8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.	end at 4:30 p.m.
December	8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.	end at 4:30 p.m.

The access is open during all other holidays.
Both Rumbling Bald and Eagle Rock accesses are closed on Christmas Day.
This access is open during all other holidays.

This park prints 2 hour tables because its accesses keep different gates; the first one is used for the tiles above.

Admission and Fees

Admission fees are charged per person at the Chimney Rock attraction. There is no fee to access Rumbling Bald for day-use. Fees are charged for group climbing, certain event permits, and facility reservations.

Not published: the Chimney Rock attraction price. The attraction sets its own prices and hours, and the park page does not list them.

Planning several parks? Our State Parks Passport guide sets every park’s fees and dog rules side by side.

Dogs and Strollers

Dogs: Pets are allowed at the park, except they are not permitted inside buildings or in the elevator at the Chimney Rock attraction. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
Strollers: Not published. The park page does not say whether strollers are allowed; call the park office (828-625-1823) before you go.

Directions and Contact

Address: 743 Chimney Rock Park Road, Chimney Rock, NC 28720
Phone: 828-625-1823
Map point: 35.43270,-82.25020. Latitude and longitude printed on the park's own ncparks.gov page, checked within 25 miles of the OpenStreetMap match. Directions in Google Maps
Official page: www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/chimney-rock-state-park

State Parks Near Chimney Rock State Park

Around Chimney Rock State Park within 60 miles

1Mount Mitchell State ParkState Parkabout 22 mi
2Lake James State ParkState Parkabout 30 mi
3South Mountains State ParkState Parkabout 38 mi
4Gorges State ParkState Parkabout 46 mi
5Crowders Mountain State ParkState Parkabout 56 mi
6Grandfather Mountain State ParkState Parkabout 56 mi

Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit Chimney Rock State Park?

The free Rumbling Bald access has no day-use fee; the Chimney Rock attraction charges per person and its prices are not on the park page.

Are dogs allowed at Chimney Rock State Park?

Pets are allowed at the park, except they are not permitted inside buildings or in the elevator at the Chimney Rock attraction. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.

What time does Chimney Rock State Park close?

It depends on the month: the gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the first table the park prints. See the month table above for your date.

Is Chimney Rock State Park open on Christmas?

The access is open during all other holidays.

Are strollers allowed at Chimney Rock State Park?

Not published. The park page does not mention strollers, so call the park office before you go.

What We Could Not Verify

Hours and closures change at short notice for weather and staffing; check the official page the day you go.
Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.
Some admission amounts are not on the park page (see Admission and Fees).

Sources

Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Chimney Rock State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places/chimney-rock-state-park/ (updated 2026-10-27). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.