10 Great Things to Do in Chimney Rock Village NC and Nearby

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Chimney Rock Village (aka The Village of Chimney Rock) sits at the entrance of Chimney Rock State Park, a popular North Carolina destination. While most people come for the famed Chimney Rock attraction and great hiking trails, the Village is a great base that’s filled with many historic shops, restaurants, and more.

Whether you’re visiting Chimney Rock State Park or need a great day trip from Asheville, take some time and experience this lovely small town and all it has to offer.

We’ve loved this place during each of our fun experiences and created this guide to share our favorite things to do in Chimney Rock Village and nearby!

Here’s how we have organized this article:

2026 Fall in North Carolina Digital Guide. Free downloadable eBook

You can skip ahead to find our favorite things to do or keep reading about Chimney Rock Village’s location and the history of this wonderful town.

Where is Chimney Rock Village?

As mentioned earlier, Chimney Rock Village is located at the base of the state park with the same name. Both are located in Western North Carolina in Rutherford County.

It is roughly 40 minutes southeast of Asheville, making it a great day trip from this large city. Other nearby towns include:

Lake Lure (5 minutes away)
Hendersonville (30 minutes away)
Black Mountain (35 minutes away)
Rutherfordton (35 minutes away)
Tryon (40 minutes away)
Forest City (45 minutes away)

You can visually plan your trip with our Western NC Map and our North Carolina Travel Map.

History of Chimney Rock Village

The Village of Chimney Rock has been incorporated since 1991, but the land that it sits on has seen a lot.

The Village resides in the Hickory Nut Gorge, a 20,000-acre canyon that is 14 miles long, and millions of years old. In fact, the 480-foot Chimney Rock granite monolith dates back at least 535 million years.
Before Europeans settled in the area, the Hickory Nut Gorge was considered a sacred place by both the Cherokee and Catawba Peoples.
It’s been claimed by multiple sources that Hernando de Soto was the first European to visit the area, in 1539. The first European settlers arrived in the Gorge in the early 1800s.
A series of earthquakes in 1874 scared people away, due to fears of the nearby Rumbling Bald collapsing.
In 1880, Jerome B. Freeman purchased 400 acres of land, including the monolith, for $25. Chimney Rock opened to the public in 1885, and steps were built to reach it in 1891, beginning its “Tourist Attraction” era.
In 1902, Dr. Lucius B. Morse bought the land surrounding the Rock for $5,000 and created Chimney Rock Park. The Morse family managed the park until 2007, when they sold it to North Carolina.
The Village of Chimney Rock grew alongside the park and benefited from the travelers who’ve come to see it over the years.
A huge development came in 1915, when the Rutherfordton-Asheville Highway was completed. That year, construction on the road to Chimney Rock began, too.
1916 was an important year for a few reasons.
- The road to Chimney Rock Park opened.
- One of the worst floods in Western NC’s recorded history killed eight people in the nearby town of Bat Cave.
- The Chimney Rock Bridge was destroyed by the flood.
Lake Lure was created and filled by 1927, though the Great Depression slowed or halted the area’s development.
1991 was another major year in Chimney Rock Village’s history.
- As mentioned, the Village became a municipality in 1991.
- Chimney Rock Park was used as a film location for The Last of the Mohicans.
In 2007, the state of North Carolina purchased Chimney Rock Park from the Morse Family. The park was then 996 acres and has grown to over 8,000 acres.
In 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated communities throughout the Hickory Nut Gorge. It destroyed homes, businesses, bridges, and roads.
Chimney Rock State Park reopened in June 2025. By July 2025, utilities (including water and sewer) were restored in the Village.

Visiting Today

Based on our experiences, we can say that Chimney Rock Village isn’t your average mountain town—the historic and Western atmosphere combined with its beautiful location in the valley below Chimney Rock results in a truly unique and transformative vibe.

While the town is smaller, its Main Street (Alternate US Highway 74) remains lively and bustling. As you browse all the shops, restaurants, and businesses on Main Street, you’ll really fall in love with this little town.

Where to Stay

The hotels and inns at Chimney Rock Village have largely been family-run for generations. If you plan to stay around for a few days, here’s a list of great places to stay.

Chimney Rock Inn (126 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC): Another great place to stay in the Village is the Chimney Rock Inn. The rustic and woodsy environment will make you feel at home in this mountain town. Chimney Rock Inn offers six unique cottages and eight rooms in the main house for you to pick your favorite.
Hickory Nut Falls Campground (639 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC): If you’re more interested in an authentic outdoor experience, you may enjoy camping along the Rocky Broad River! The Hickory Nut Falls campground has operated for over 50 years, offering families and visitors a unique way to experience Chimney Rock. Something is here for every type of camper, with 70 RV sites, 13 tent sites, and 2 cabins.
River House Inn (307 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC): This Inn is just a quarter-mile from the entrance to Chimney Rock State Park and a great place to stay. The dark blue building was renovated in 2012 and features nine bedrooms. The views here are amazing, as the Inn backs up onto the riverbank.

Chimney Rock Events

The Village of Chimney Rock comes alive throughout the year, with events at Chimney Rock State Park and elsewhere in the village. We think Santa on the Chimney in December is one event that should stay on your calendar.

Read More: The NC Tripping Events Calendar

Things to Do in Chimney Rock Village This Weekend (and All Year)

Here are things to do in Chimney Rock Village throughout the year, starting with the area’s most Bucket List-worthy attraction.

Chimney Rock State Park
Rocky Broad River Walk
Shopping in Chimney Rock Village
Restaurants in Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock State Park

Of course, Chimney Rock State Park is at the top of our list of things to do when visiting Chimney Rock Village! One of the park’s top attractions is the Chimney Rock monolith, but there are other hikes and sights to see here.

Waterfalls in North Carolina Hickory Nut Falls Chimney Rock State Park

Hickory Nut Falls is the second most popular destination at this NC state park. The 404-foot waterfall is one of the highest in the Eastern US and offers an impressive view. The Hickory Nut Falls Trail is a moderate 0.7-mile one-way trail (1.4 miles roundtrip) that takes you straight to the waterfall’s base.

Some other things to do at Chimney Rock State Park include:

Exclamation Point Trail: A 1.2-mile roundtrip hike that stops at some of the best overlooks in the park.
Skyline Trail: A 2.2-mile roundtrip trek that is the longest and most difficult in the park but features a stop at Peregrine’s Peak, the highest vantage point at 2460 feet above sea level.
Animal Discovery Den: Animal lovers will love this small habitat that houses animals like groundhogs, snakes, turtles, and more.

Rocky Broad River Walk

The 1/3-mile long Rocky Broad River Walk runs parallel to Main St and is naturally surfaced. It’ll connect you to all the shops on the river side of town, with the others just across the street.

Shopping in Chimney Rock Village

Main Street is known for its assortment of truly quirky items and environments. Here’s a list of some downtown Chimney Rock shops that you definitely shouldn’t miss.

Bubba O’Leary’s General Store and Outfitters (385 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC): This general store opened in 1992 when owners Ann and Peter O’Leary wanted a change from the fast-paced city life. The old-fashioned store sells candies, gifts, jellies, jams, and more. And, if you’re looking for outdoor clothes for mountain hikes, Bubba’s is the place for you!
Chimney Rock Gem Mine and Jewelry Co. (Two Locations on Main St in Chimney Rock): Located along the Rocky Broad River, the Gem Mine has two showrooms on Main St. In addition to browsing the largest sterling silver collection in Western North Carolina and other rare gem finds, customers can also mine for gems themselves!

Gale’s Chimney Rock Shop (418 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC): Since 1947, Gale’s has offered the most kitschy and eccentric wares and tchotchkes. This shop embodies the one-of-a-kind style found throughout Chimney Rock Village, and the things you find here, you’ll likely never encounter again!
Natives Rest Candles (382 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC): Natives Rest was founded in Hickory Nut Gorge, an area some Indigenous tribes consider sacred. The company prides itself on preserving Native history and creating environmentally conscious candles. Some of their products include a line of 100% pure essential oil candles and a line of aromatic-infused candles.

Restaurants in Chimney Rock

Like the diversity and culture found in Chimney Rock shops, the restaurants are just as vibrant and exciting.

Chimney Rock Smokehouse (430 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC): Head to the Chimney Rock Smokehouse for great barbecue, quality, and freshness.

Riverwatch Grill (379 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC): For the best burgers around, Riverwatch Grill is the place to be. This restaurant features a lengthy menu of delicious burgers, sandwiches, wings, and other comfort foods and outdoor seating on the Rocky Broad River. Dinner here is a relaxing experience paired with great food.
Village Scoop (367 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC): After eating your fill at one of Chimney Rock’s wonderful dining places, stop by the Village Scoop for a sweet treat! This ice cream parlor has served over 61 Hershey’s Ice Cream flavors since 1998 and is still a family favorite. Enjoy a hand-dipped cone, milkshake, sundae, smoothie, and more!

Ready to Explore the Village of Chimney Rock?

We love visiting Chimney Rock Village throughout the year and can’t wait for our next trip that way. Until then, we hope you enjoy our guide that features our favorite things to do in the Village of Chimney Rock.

Have you ever visited this awesome part of North Carolina? We’d love to know what you think about this place.

Let us know in the comments section or by email. Don’t forget to share your Chimney Rock NC adventures in our Facebook Group!

Things to Do Near Chimney Rock (Day Trips)

Before you get in touch with us, here are some nearby things to do in Chimney Rock Village’s surroundings. We start with the town that’s literally attached at its hip.

Lake Lure

7 minutes away from Chimney Rock Village

Lake Lure is not even 10 minutes away from Chimney Rock, so the two towns share a lot of community and things to do. This gorgeous lakeside town is known for the best lake life and the surrounding mountains.

More Rutherford County Neighbors

Rutherfordton (35 minutes away) is a historic town with a wonderful downtown to explore.

This includes its KidSenses Museum, a great place to take your kids. Ours loved it!
Another great place to visit near Chimney Rock Village is Forest City (45 minutes away), largely known for its beautiful Christmas lights display. Of course, we recommend a visit any time to enjoy this lovely small town.

Hendersonville

30 minutes away from Chimney Rock Village

Hendersonville is 30 minutes from Chimney Rock and is an amazing day trip option.

The town is known for its apple orchards, amazing wineries and vineyards, and great outdoor hikes.
If you have even more time in Chimney Rock Village, drive out to nearby Flat Rock and check out the Historic Carl Sandburg Home.
Of course, if you’re into hiking, start with waterfalls like Bridal Veil Falls at DuPont State Recreational Forest.

Black Mountain

35 minutes away from Chimney Rock Village

One of our favorite mountain towns is Black Mountain, just a 40-minute drive from Chimney Rock. The town has a thriving arts culture and diverse cuisine.

Explore Black Mountain’s rich arts scene, visit Lake Tomahawk Park, and try all the breweries in town! We love Lookout Brewing.

Black Mountain is also very near the Blue Ridge Parkway, including highlights like the Folk Art Center.