Chimney Rock Gem Mine

Nature at Night Hike @ Chimney Rock State Park
2023-10-07 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Chimney Rock State Park
Watch as the Park comes alive under the shadow of darkness on this guided evening excursion with a Park naturalist. Do you know which animals come out along the Hickory Nut Falls trail when the sun goes down? Get ready to learn more about the Park’s rarely-seen residents. Note: The Hickory Nut Falls trail is approximately 3/4 of a mile each direction and is considered a moderate trail. Participants must be able to hike the trail out and back. This trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Cost: Includes Park admission: $25 Adult, $8 Adult Annual Passholder, $15 Youth, $6 Youth Annual Passholder. Advance Registration Required. Find more information here.

Lake Lure Farmer's Market 4pm-7pm @ Morse Park
2023-10-06 16:00 - 19:00 | Morse Park, 2948 Memorial Hwy, Lake Lure, NC, 28746, United States
Join us for Lake Lure’s very first Farmer’s Market at Morse Park & be sure to come back every Friday.
The Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge is happy to announce that we are partnering with Rutherford BARN, Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation, The 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa, Bubba O’Leary’s General Store and Rutherford County TDA to bring a Farmer’s Market to Lake Lure!
Local farmers and hand-craft artisans ONLY
Live Entertainment and a Food Truck each week!
Stay up to date on all information regarding the market at our Facebook page, @TheChamberOfHickoryNutGorgeOrganization

Chimney Rock State Park's 15th Annual: Flock to the Rock
2023-09-30 10:00 - 15:00 | Chimney Rock State Park
Break out the binoculars and get ready for our annual feathered frenzy. Flock to the Rock was designed so birders of all skill sets can enjoy one of the country’s fastest growing hobbies – bird watching! This event is held during fall migration for birds and monarch butterflies. As a spot on the NC Birding Trail and a Monarch Waystation, there’s no better place than Chimney Rock to experience these incredible natural phenomena. Bring the whole family for live raptor programs, bird and pollinator activities, intro to birding hikes, and the annual hawk watch from the Chimney. This year we’re celebrating 15 amazing years of Flock to the Rock!
Cost: Included with Park Admission (find more information here)

National Public Lands Day: Sunset Hike
2023-09-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Chimney Rock State Park
To honor and celebrate the rich history of environmental stewardship at Chimney Rock State Park, Superintendent James Ledgerwood will be leading an after-hours sunset hike to the top of the Chimney with one of the original stewards of the park.
The Outcroppings Trail is one of the newly designated sections of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail. A local steward will place the first designated Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail marker at the trailhead. Selected volunteers will place additional trail markers along the Outcroppings Trail. A state park official will place the last marker near the top of the Chimney.
Please note: The Outcroppings Trail is a series of more than 500 wood and stone steps to the top of the Chimney and is considered strenuous.
Registration is required; click the Register button to sign up for free on the Chimney Rock attraction website.

Festival of Heroes @ Fae Nectar
2023-09-23 12:00 - 21:00 | Fae Nectar, 2984 Memorial Hwy, Lake Lure, NC, 28746, United States
We are thrilled to announce the return of Festival of Heroes! Hosted by the Warriors of Ash at Fae Nectar meadery, this is the largest outdoor HEMA Sword & Axe Fighting Tournament in the United States, drawing upwards of 30 competing fighters!
Fighter heats will take place during the day from noon to 5 pm.
Championship battles are from 6pm until 9pm+!
Artisan Market, Fairy Market, and Fae appearances from noon to dusk when the giant bonfires will be lit!
Interested HEMA fighters should register with the Warriors of Ash
Interested artisans and entertainers should contact Fae Nectar
Find our more information here.

1st Annual Lake Lure Dance Festival - Cool Dips & Hot Salsa
2023-09-16 10:00 - 22:00 | Morse Park, 2948 Memorial Hwy, Lake Lure, NC, 28746, United States
Come Have The Time Of Your Life at the Annual Lake Lure Dance Festival, Sept. 16, 2023. Let Us Celebrate Patrick Swayze’s Life and Dance!
Event takes place at Morse Park in Lake Lure, NC.

Lake Lure Olympiad
2023-08-11 08:00 - 2023-08-13 17:00
At Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure, we’re getting ready for one of our favorite annual events: the Lake Lure Olympiad. Join us on the weekend of August 11-13 for Western North Carolina’s largest, 3-day sports festival, and a treasured Lake Lure tradition. The Lake Lure Olympiad Sports Festival is a non-profit organization staffed entirely by volunteers dedicated to creating a weekend of fun and fitness to benefit local charitable giving. Over the years, the Lake Lure Olympiad has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities, including area volunteer fire departments and EMS services. This year, Rumbling Bald is honored to host the Lake Lure Olympiad once again to celebrate and support the incredible community of Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge.
Friday, August 11th at Rumbling Bald
10K Slam the Dam Run
Saturday, August 12th at Rumbling Bald
Lake Lure Triathlon
Junior Olympiad (All kids ages 4-14)
Sunday, August 13th at Chimney Rock State Park
Race to the Rock 5K Run
To learn more about this annual event, please visit their Facebook page or website at https://www.lakelureolympiad.org.

Summer Animal Encounters @ Chimney Rock State Park
2023-07-29 07:00 - 19:00 | Chimney Rock State Park
Did you know our staff had a wild side? Join a Park naturalist to meet some of our live Animal Ambassadors and learn what kind of wildlife inhabits the Park and their important roles in the ecosystem. Some of our best teachers have feathers, fur, shells or scales!
Included with your park admission for the day.

Naturalist Niche: Falls and Ferns @ Chimney Rock State Park
2023-07-22 09:00 - 23:00 | Chimney Rock State Park
Have you ever wondered exactly which varieties of fern line your path as you explore the Park? What role do they play among other plant species in Hickory Nut Gorge? Join a naturalist and hike to Hickory Nut Falls through a fern-filled forest, then learn more about our famous waterfall itself.
Cost: Includes Park admission: $25 Adult, $8 Adult Annual Passholder, $15 Youth, $6 Youth Annual Passholder. Advance Registration Required.

Whimsical Woods Family Adventure @ Chimney Rock State Park
2023-07-15 18:30 - 21:30 | Chimney Rock State Park
Enjoy a fantastical evening at Chimney Rock State Park where all ages can attend a workshop led by Street Creature Puppets on lantern building with recycled materials. The event will be catered by Old Rock Cafe, after which participants will join in a magical puppet parade and light the forest with their lantern creations! More details on cost and other information can be found here.
