Boulder at Rumbling Bald

Located off of Boys Camp Rd. in Lake Lure, North Carolina, Rumbling Bald is a huge boulder yard that has been in use since the 1970's and has begun to flourish. Conveniently at the trail head is a gravel parking lot with three Port A Johns to use. Make sure you get to the parking lot early though because it is usually filled up by 10ish on the weekends. At the trail head is also a little stand that has slips that you must fill out so that the Chimney Rock Park Rangers won't tow your car and know where you are. The trail is about a 1 1/2 mile loop and is split into the East Boulders and the West Boulders. Going towards the East side it takes about 10 minutes to get to what is known as "The Warm-up Boulder". The hike is not too bad with a moderate elevation climb.

The Climbing Community does ask that all climbers respect the land and leave no trace. It is important that people follow the rules here because the Park Rangers have started to discuss the closing of The Bald to climbers. Please make sure that when visiting that you are courteous to others and clean up after yourself!

Directions:
Rumbling Bald is located just outside the town of Chimney Rock. From points West (Asheville, etc.), take US 74A and go east to where 74A combines with US 64 and SR 9 near Bat Cave.

From points east (Charlotte, etc.), exit I-85 south of Charlotte for Kings Mountain and US 74. Follow 74 west to Forest City and veer of on US 74 A west to Bat Cave.

From Bat Cave, follow the signs for Chimney Rock Park and pass the park entrance as you go through the town of Chimney Rock. Not quite a half mile past the park, turn left on to Boys Camp Road (SR 1305). Follow this for about a mile and a half and on the left will be the gravel parking lot.

The coordinates for Rumbling Bald are: 35.444092, -82.218464 and the Address is: 827 Boys Camp Rd, Lake Lure, NC 28746