Chimney Rock State Park in Western North Carolina will reopen June 27
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Chimney Rock State Park and the Chimney Rock attraction in Western North Carolina will reopen June 27, the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and N.C. State Parks announced Friday.
Why it matters: Much of the park has been closed since Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina last fall. It will reopen exactly nine months after the storm hit the state.
Zoom in: Helene wiped out the park's entrance bridge. There were also landslides that blocked the park road, and damage to railings and retaining walls, according to the park's website, plus flooding in the elevator for the Chimney Rock attraction, a 315-foot freestanding rock spire.
What to expect: Park hours will be announced soon. You must make reservations in advance to access the Chimney Rock attraction. Reservations will launch roughly one week before the attraction reopens.
- Capacity will be limited as recovery efforts are ongoing.
- The park includes views of the mountains, Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.
The big picture: Outdoor recreation, including hiking, is a major draw for tourists to Western North Carolina. N.C. Gov. Josh Stein recently went on CBS' "Late Show with Stephen Colbert" to talk about Helene recovery and to "say to all of America, Western North Carolina is open for business."
What they're saying: "Chimney Rock is a western North Carolina jewel," Stein said in a statement. "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."