Take in the view from Chimney Rock State Park

A 25-mile drive southeast of Asheville will get you to Chimney Rock State Park, where you may catch a peek of some of North Carolina's most breathtaking mountain landscapes. The park's 315-foot-tall namesake offers 75-mile views of Lake Lure and the Hickory Nut Gorge from its summit (on a clear day). Either climb the 500 steps to the top of Chimney Rock or take the elevator.

The park's six designated hiking trails, which range from the family-friendly Great Woodland Adventure, which includes interactive exhibits and sculptures about the park's animal residents, to the more challenging 1.9-mile out and back Four Seasons Trail, which includes a 400-foot elevation gain through the hardwood forest, will be of interest to more adventurous visitors. You should visit Hickory Nut Falls, which is located within the state park, after gazing in awe at the alpine landscape from Chimney Rock. It is one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River at 404 feet.

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5.0
Address: 431 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC 28746
Phone: +1 (828) 625-9611
Website: https://www.chimneyrockpark.com