Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock State Park is a North Carolina state park in Chimney Rock, Rutherford County, North Carolina in the United States. The 8,014-acre (32.43 km2)[1] park is located 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Asheville, North Carolina, and is owned and managed by the state of North Carolina.[2]
| Chimney Rock State Park | |
|---|---|
Chimney Rock, a 315-foot (96 m) granite monolith | |
Location of Chimney Rock State Park in North Carolina Chimney Rock State Park (the United States) | |
| Location | Rutherford, North Carolina, United States |
| Coordinates | 35°25′59″N 82°15′02″W / 35.43306°N 82.25056°W |
| Area | 8,014 acres (32.43 km2)[1] |
| Elevation | 2,280 ft (690 m) |
| Established | May 4, 2005 |
| Named for | Chimney Rock |
| Governing body | North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation |
| Website | Chimney Rock State Park |
The park features hiking trails for all skill levels, views of the Devil's Head balancing rock, and a 404-foot (123 m) waterfall, Hickory Nut Falls. Its most notable feature is a 315-foot (96 m) granite monolith named Chimney Rock, which is accessible by elevator and provides views of the park and surrounding countryside.
Early park development edit
In May 2005, the North Carolina General Assembly authorized the creation of the "Hickory Nut Gorge State Park." In August 2005 the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy purchased a 1,568-acre (6.35 km2) tract of land south of Lake Lure known as "World's Edge" for $16 million with the intention of transferring the land as the first to be added to the new state park. World's Edge contains a mile-long set of steep slopes on the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment (an escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains), with more than 20,000 feet (6,100 m) of streams and waterfalls. From an overlook point, the land falls away to provide views of the Piedmont. The area provides habitat for rare flowers, diverse forest communities, endangered bats and salamanders, unique cave-dwelling invertebrates, and birds such as peregrine falcons and migratory neotropical species. Transfer of the World's Edge tract to state ownership was completed in 2006.
State acquisition of Chimney Rock Park edit
In 1902, Dr. Lucius B. Morse purchased 64 acres (26 hectares) at Chimney Rock Mountain from Jerome Freeman, a North Carolina state legislator and land speculator, including the Chimney and cliffs. Morse and his family owned and operated "Chimney Rock Park" as a privately managed park from 1902 to 2007. Many small tracts purchased over the years expanded the park to 996 acres (403 hectares). In 2006 the land was put up for sale.[3] Many feared the park might fall into the hands of private developers, but the state and the Morse family completed a purchase agreement in early 2007.[4]
In July 2007, the General Assembly renamed Hickory Nut Gorge State Park to Chimney Rock State Park.[5]
- Opera Box
- Devil's Head
- detail of stairs
- Gneiss Cave
Nearby state parks edit
The following state parks and state forests are within 30 miles (48 km) of Chimney Rock State Park:
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b "Size of the North Carolina State Parks System" (XLS). North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. July 1, 2020. from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
- ^ . Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park. Archived from the original on December 23, 2007. Retrieved January 28, 2008.
- ^ Randolph, JW (August 31, 2006). "Chimney Rock now for sale". The Appalachian Online.
- ^ "Gov. Easley Announces State Agrees to Purchase Chimney Rock Park" (Press release). N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources. January 29, 2007.
- ^ "New Park Designations for Dismal Swamp, Elk Knob, Chimney Rock" (Press release). N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources. September 5, 2007.
External links edit
- Official website
- Chimney Rock Attraction
- Chimney Rock State Park Master Plan
- Session Law 2005-26 established Hickory Nut Gorge State Park, which later was renamed Chimney Rock State Park.
- Session Law 2007-307 changed the name of Hickory Nut Gorge State Park to Chimney Rock State Park.