Hickory Nut Gorge · North Carolina
137 Hickory Trail · Chimney Rock, NC
Everything you need to settle in and make yourself at home.
Welcome to the Cottage at Chimney Rock — we're so glad you're here. This guide covers everything from the Wi-Fi password to the best burger in the village. Chimney Rock State Park is practically in your backyard, and there's no shortage of great food, hiking, and adventures nearby. Questions? We're just a message away. We hope you love it here.
— Thomas, Turnkey Management SolutionsCheck-in is after 4:00 PM. Your door code and gate code will be sent 24 hours before arrival. Traveling with the river on your left, turn up the gravel road approximately 1/4 mile past Chimney Rock Smokehouse. You will reach a neighborhood gate — enter your gate code to open it. If you have trouble, the manual pin is on the left side when facing the gate from outside. The lockbox is on the front door handle.
Checkout time is 10:00 AM. No need to worry about any checkout procedures — we'll take care of everything. We hope you have a wonderful stay!
The concrete driveway fits up to 3 vehicles comfortably.
Essential services close to the property.
From riverside burgers to lakeside Italian and mountain BBQ — here's where to eat in the Chimney Rock and Lake Lure area.
A Chimney Rock village institution since 1998 with over 2,600 fans. Known for massive, creative burger options, the best spicy margarita in the area, homemade ranch, and fresh mushroom appetizers. Great indoor, outdoor, and upper covered seating right on the Rocky Broad River.
Most Popular · Est. 1998Two styles of house BBQ sauce, slow-smoked brisket melts, jalapeño cheddar sausage, and a Roasted Red Pepper & Smoked Gouda Bisque that reviewers can't stop raving about. Live music on Sundays. The Smokehouse was badly damaged by Hurricane Helene and closed for nearly a year — its August 2025 reopening was a milestone for the whole village.
BBQ · Sunday Live Music · Back OpenA romantic Italian restaurant with a stunning elevated patio overlooking Lake Lure. Family-owned and beloved for over 40 years, with classic pasta, wood-fired pizza, fresh seafood, and mountain views that pair perfectly with a glass of wine. Ideal for a special evening out.
Lakeside Views · 40+ YearsPart restaurant, part music venue, part garden retreat — waterfalls, lawn games, fire pits, and live music set against a lush garden backdrop. The menu impresses too, from Creole Shrimp Cocktail to Dulce de Leche cake. Perfect for spending an entire afternoon.
Live Music · Garden DiningA scenic Blue Ridge winery producing award-winning estate wines. The bistro menu pairs beautifully with the tasting flights — think charcuterie, flatbreads, and local cheeses on a mountain-view patio. Worth the drive for a relaxed afternoon escape. Note: their Chimney Rock location was destroyed by Hurricane Helene — this listing is the Hendersonville estate.
Award-Winning Wines · BistroFrom soaring granite spires to whitewater tubing and mountain zip lines — adventures for every pace.
Your backyard adventure — a 315-foot granite monolith rising above Hickory Nut Gorge. Take the 26-story elevator or climb 400+ steps to panoramic views of the gorge and beyond. Features well-marked trails, bat caves, a gift shop, and the spectacular Hickory Nut Falls. Reservations recommended on weekends.
Must-Do · Reservations RequiredVoted #1 Zipline Adventure by Newsweek 2024. ATV rides, a comedy show from the guides, and 6 exhilarating zip lines over 60 acres. Ages 2 and up welcome. Families consistently call it a highlight of their trip — book ahead, spots fill fast.
#1 Newsweek 2024 · All AgesFamily-owned since 1982. Hurricane Helene changed the river significantly — it's faster with more rapids now, so basic tubes are gone. They now run Mini Cats and inflatable kayaks for a wilder, more exciting float. Season runs May–September. Important: approach from Mill Spring (eastern side) — the western approach on Green River Cove Rd is still under repair.
Family Owned Since 1982 · Updated Post-HeleneThe sparkling 720-acre lake tucked between Blue Ridge peaks — famous as the filming location for 'Dirty Dancing.' Rent kayaks, pontoon boats, or paddleboards from local outfitters. Public beach access at Lake Lure Town Beach. Stunning sunset views year-round.
Dirty Dancing Filming LocationPan for gemstones, fossils, and even gold right in Chimney Rock Village. Kids and adults love sluicing through gem-rich gravel to find rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and more. Staff help you identify your finds. A fun 30-minute break between hikes. Reopened in 2026 after Hurricane Helene — one of the village's great comeback stories.
Family Friendly · Back Open 2026Chimney Rock State Park is steps away, and the trails go well beyond the falls. From a free granite dome scramble on Lake Lure to a 6-mile river gorge walk — here are the hikes worth planning your day around.
The full summit experience inside Chimney Rock State Park — past the rock itself, up to Exclamation Point (2,480 ft, featured in *The Last of the Mohicans*), and out to Peregrine's Point for hawk sightings and a panoramic picnic. The trail then descends to the top of Hickory Nut Falls. 1,040 ft of elevation gain total. Requires park admission; reserve a timed-entry slot on weekends at chimneyrockpark.com.
Strenuous · Summit Views · Last of the MohicansA free section of Chimney Rock State Park with a completely different character — massive granite boulder fields at the base of a 400-ft cliff face above Lake Lure. Popular with rock climbers (especially Oct–Apr) but great for hikers too. Short loop through hardwood forest with peregrine falcons overhead. No admission required at this trailhead.
Free · Granite Boulders · No AdmissionA short but steep trail through the forest interior of the park — house-sized boulders, rhododendron tunnels, oaks, maples, and tulip poplars. Named for how dramatically it changes with each season: spring wildflowers, summer songbirds, fall foliage, and open winter gorge views. Connects to the Hickory Nut Falls Trail for a natural loop. Good choice if you want a forest immersion without the full summit climb.
Moderate · All Seasons · Connects to FallsA 0.7-mile trail to the base of one of the tallest waterfalls in the eastern US — 404 feet of cascading water. Easy-to-moderate terrain with rest seating along the way. You can walk right up to the falls and onto the rocks at the base. Great for families and stunning in every season.
Easy · Family Friendly · 0.7 MileA secluded 6.5-mile out-and-back through one of Western NC's most biodiverse gorges — high densities of nesting birds, deer, wild turkey, bobcats, and rare salamanders. The Green River runs Class IV–V whitewater below. Uncrowded, free, and completely different from the Chimney Rock trails. Note: Hurricane Helene left downed trees and some landslides on the trail — expect rougher conditions than pre-2024. During hunting season (mid-Sept to mid-May), Sunday is the safest hiking day.
Free · Secluded · WildlifeChimney Rock Village is a walkable strip of one-of-a-kind shops — most within 5 minutes of the house. Worth an afternoon browse after a hike.
A browse-worthy gift shop with pottery, quilts, candles, and yard art — plus a full coffee bar with homemade chocolate desserts. One of the most pleasant stops in the village, good for a mid-walk coffee and a look around.
Coffee Bar Inside · Unique FindsIn business since 1975 and a cut above the typical tourist shop — curated gifts from around the world, leather goods, moccasins, and standout home decor. Worth a look if you want something more substantial than a magnet.
Est. 1975 · Quality GiftsChimney Rock sits at the center of some of Western NC's best day-trip territory. Asheville is 45 minutes, Brevard and its waterfalls an hour, and several charming small towns are even closer.
Western NC's crown jewel — a walkable arts city with more craft breweries per capita than almost anywhere in the US. Hit the River Arts District for galleries and studios, the Grove Arcade for lunch, and the Biltmore Estate if you want to splurge (book tickets in advance). Downtown's restaurant scene punches well above its size.
45 Min · Biltmore · Beer City USAA walkable historic Main Street with independent restaurants, antique shops, and year-round events. Hendersonville is the heart of NC apple country — orchards open for picking in late summer and fall. The Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is a short drive away, and Burntshirt Vineyards (in the dining guide) is just outside town.
35 Min · Apple Orchards · WalkableCalled 'the land of waterfalls' — and it earns it. Stop at Looking Glass Falls (roadside, free), then Sliding Rock, a natural 60-foot waterslide into a mountain swimming hole ($5, hugely fun in summer). Grab lunch at Rocky's Grill or Brevard Brewing Company, then take the scenic Pisgah forest drive back. One of the best full-day loops in the region.
1 Hr · Sliding Rock · WaterfallsA compact arts town that hosted the 2018 World Equestrian Games. The Tryon International Equestrian Center (just outside town) runs Saturday Night Lights shows with live music and family events — check tiec.com for the schedule. Downtown Trade Street is excellent: Hubba Hubba Smokehouse for BBQ, Side Street Pizza for Italian, and the Tryon Theatre (operating since 1938, $10 tickets).
40 Min · Equestrian Events · Great FoodMake the most of your Chimney Rock mountain getaway with these insider recommendations.
Hurricane Helene struck on September 27, 2024 and devastated Chimney Rock Village — roughly a third of its businesses were washed away by the Rocky Broad River. The community has rebuilt with remarkable resilience: Chimney Rock State Park is fully open, most restaurants and shops are back, and tourism is the lifeblood of the recovery. Every meal, every purchase, and every visit matters. A few things to know: the Bat Cave stretch of US 64 only fully reopened in March 2026, some trail conditions are rougher than pre-storm, and a handful of beloved spots are still being rebuilt. We're proud to be part of this community — thank you for being here.
Reservations are required for Chimney Rock State Park on busy weekends. Book online at chimneyrockpark.com well in advance — spots fill fast in summer and fall foliage season (peak: mid-October).
Fall foliage (mid-October) and spring wildflowers are peak seasons. Summer weekends are busiest. Weekday visits in shoulder seasons offer the most peaceful trails and better restaurant availability.
A car is essential. Chimney Rock Village is steps away, but Lake Lure, Saluda, and Hendersonville require driving winding mountain roads. Directions can be unreliable on GPS — download offline maps before you go.
Weather in Hickory Nut Gorge changes fast. Even on warm days, bring a light layer for the summit and early mornings. Check forecasts the night before hikes — afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer.
Wear proper footwear on all trails — wet rocks are slippery. Bring more water than you think you need. The Hickory Nut Falls trail is family-friendly; the Skyline Trail to the Chimney offers more challenge and bigger payoff.
Grey Hawk and La Strada fill up quickly on weekends — make reservations ahead. For a casual walk-from-the-house dinner, Riverwatch Bar & Grill and Chimney Rock Smokehouse are the go-to spots and welcome walk-ins.