Two nonprofit rock-climbing groups, Carolina Climbers Coalition and Access Fund, have joined together to purchase 17 acres in Lower Ghost Town, an area in Chimney Rock described as “one of North Carolina’s most iconic climbing areas.”
The area is located across from Chimney Rock State Park, and first started attracting climbers in the 1970s when the site was the home to Silver City, a western-themed amusement park. Access to the climbing area ceased in the 2000s when developers acquired the area.
The purchase marks the culmination of a 25-year campaign to secure public access to the area with more than 50 established routes. The purchase was made possible from an Access Fund Climbing Conservation loan and funding from the Great Trails state grant program. Financial details were not immediately available. Carolina Climbers Coalition is based in Asheville and has 1,050 members. Access Fund is based in Boulder, Colorado, and is a national advocacy organization. It has more than 10,000 members and an annual budget of about $3.5 million.
The acquisition opens up climbing to one of the highest quality crags in North Carolina — including three of the state’s hardest climbs.
“Opening access to Lower Ghost town has been a priority of ours for more than 20 years. This project was truly a team effort,” said Mike Reardon, executive director of Carolina Climbers Coalition. “It took a village. We would not have been able to do this without the support of Access Fund, village of Chimney Rock, Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority, North Carolina State Trails Program, Conserving Carolina, and Great Trails State Coalition.”
The acquisition also supports the local outdoor recreation economy by connecting a key section of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail, a 100-mile hiking trail connecting the village of Chimney Rock, Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure and Upper Hickory Nut Gorge.
The extensive trail network is one of the many regional revitalization efforts following Hurricane Helene in 2024, which devastated the area.
“The story of Lower Ghost Town is one of perseverance,” says Daniel Dunn, eastern regional director at Access Fund. “The climbing community in North Carolina refused to give up on the dream of one day protecting and opening these exceptional cliffs, and that determination led to this historic win. We are grateful to be a part of this project and for the opportunity to support the climbing and larger Hickory Nut Gorge community.”
Public access to Lower Ghost Town will initially be limited to volunteer work days while sustainable trails are under construction. Carolina Climbers Coalition hopes to open the area for public climbing by spring 2026.