Chimney Rock State Park -- May 27, 2026: While the intense storm system that swept through Western North Carolina on Tuesday, May 26, brought heavy rain and localized flooding to much of the region, Chimney Rock Village largely avoided severe impacts. Inside Chimney Rock State Park, however, steady downpours triggered a minor landslide along the main park road, prompting officials to temporarily close the gates as a safety precaution.
The closure proved to be short-lived. Park crews and state engineers conducted a thorough safety evaluation of the slope early Wednesday morning, May 27, and officially cleared the park to reopen immediately.
Moving forward, North Carolina State Parks will coordinate with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) over the next few weeks to complete permanent repairs on the affected roadside bank. In the meantime, the park road is safe, stable, and fully open to vehicle traffic.
Infrastructure Holds Firm
For residents of the Hickory Nut Gorge, any sign of slope instability brings to mind the severe weather events of late 2024. On September 27, 2024, catastrophic rains from Hurricane Helene caused massive washouts that destroyed entire sections of the park's infrastructure. Following a dedicated nine-month engineering and rebuilding effort, the park celebrated its official reopening on June 27, 2025.
The fact that the park was able to safely resume operations within 24 hours of this week's heavy rainfall demonstrates the strength of those post-storm infrastructure reinforcements and the efficiency of local monitoring teams.
Plan Your Visit: Current Park Hours
With trails and main overlooks fully accessible, visitors can plan trips according to the standard seasonal schedule:
Spring/Summer Hours (Now through Nov. 1): The entry gate is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the park closing at 7:00 p.m.
Winter Hours (Nov. 2 through Dec. 31): The entry gate is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the park closing at 6:00 p.m. (Note: The park is closed on Christmas Day).