Chimney Rock State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chimney Rock State Park |
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Chimney Rock, a 315-foot (96 m) gneiss monolith
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 Chimney Rock State Park
Location in North Carolina
Chimney Rock State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Rutherford, North Carolina, United States |
| Area | 8,014 acres (32.43 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,280 ft (690 m) |
| Established | May 4, 2005 |
| Named for | Chimney Rock |
| Governing body | North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation |
| Website | https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/chimney-rock-state-park |
Chimney Rock State Park is a cool state park in North Carolina, United States. It's located near the town of Chimney Rock in Rutherford County. The park covers about 8,014 acres (32.43 km²) of land. It is managed by the state of North Carolina.
This park is famous for its awesome hiking trails. You can find paths for all skill levels. It also has amazing views of a rock called Devil's Head. There's even a huge waterfall, Hickory Nut Falls, which is 404 feet (123 m) tall! The most famous spot is a giant rock called Chimney Rock. It's a 315-foot (96 m) tall rock made of gneiss. You can reach the top by elevator for incredible views of the park and the area around it.
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How Chimney Rock State Park Started
In May 2005, the state of North Carolina decided to create a new park. They first called it "Hickory Nut Gorge State Park." Later that year, two groups, the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy, bought a big piece of land. This land was 1,568 acres (6.35 km²) and was known as "World's Edge." They bought it for $16 million. Their plan was to add this land to the new state park.
World's Edge has very steep slopes and many streams and waterfalls. It offers amazing views of the Piedmont area. This special place is home to rare flowers and many different forests. It also protects endangered bats and salamanders. You might even spot peregrine falcons and other migratory birds there. The state officially took over World's Edge in 2006.
The State Buys Chimney Rock Park
For a long time, Chimney Rock was a private park. In 1902, Dr. Lucius B. Morse bought 64 acres (26 hectares) of land. This included the famous Chimney Rock and its cliffs. The Morse family owned and ran "Chimney Rock Park" for over 100 years, from 1902 to 2007. Over time, they bought more land, making the park almost 1,000 acres (405 hectares).
In 2006, the Morse family decided to sell the park. Many people worried that a private company might buy it and change it. But in 2007, the state of North Carolina and the Morse family made a deal. The state bought the park, keeping it safe for everyone to enjoy. In July 2007, the state officially changed the name from Hickory Nut Gorge State Park to Chimney Rock State Park.
The Amazing Rocks of Chimney Rock
The rocks you see at Chimney Rock State Park are very old. Most of them are a type of metamorphic rock called gneiss. Imagine rocks that were once deep inside the Earth. They were squeezed and heated under huge pressure. This process changed them into the strong, layered gneiss we see today.
Chimney Rock itself is a giant piece of this gneiss. Over millions of years, water, wind, and ice slowly wore away the softer parts of the rock. This process, called Erosion, carved out the unique shapes you see in the park. It created the tall Chimney Rock and even the cool caves like Gneiss Cave. The strong, solid nature of the gneiss is why the cliffs and rock formations are so impressive.
Hurricane Helene Damage
In 2024, Hurricane Helene caused a lot of damage to the park. The park worked hard to repair the damage and keep its trails and attractions safe for visitors.
Gallery
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Opera Box
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Devil's Head
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Detail of stairs
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Gneiss Cave
See also
- Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail
