Lower Ghost Town — once North Carolina’s most prized climbing destinations — has finally been protected. The Carolina Climbers Coalition (CCC), Access Fund, Great State Trails Coalition, and local partners purchased 16.5 acres for $125,000, securing public access to the historic lower cliffs after decades of development attempts.
“For over 20 years, Ghost Town has been our highest priority access project. Conserving this property was truly a team effort over decades of concentration with a diverse set of stakeholders.” said CCC Executive Director Mike Reardon in a press release. “The major players of that team include various CCC members, the Access Fund, the Village of Chimney Rock, Rutherford County TDA, NC State Trails Program, Conserving Carolina, CR Glamping, and the Great Trails State Coalition. Each of these organizations contributed so much over the years to make this once ‘lofty’ dream a reality.”
The purchase includes 25% of the cliff face and all boulder fields. North Carolina State Parks owns the remaining 75%, leaving future access on state land unresolved.
Climbers first explored the towering walls in the 1970s, when the Silver City amusement park operated beneath the cliffs with gondola rides from Main Street in Chimney Rock. As word spread, the area became known for 400-foot faces and some of North Carolina’s hardest routes, including The Good (5.13d), The Bad (5.14b), and the still un-sent Ugly project.
Interest surged again in 2017 after lawmakers approved the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail, a proposed 100-mile trail system. Public comment overwhelmingly highlighted “Ghost Town” and “Climbing,” signaling strong demand for access.
CCC built the half-mile Village Boulders Trail in 2020 to connect Chimney Rock Village to the gorge, positioning the community for future access if the property ever became available. That chance came in 2023, shortly before Hurricane Helene devastated Hickory Nut Gorge, destroying businesses, roads, and homes. The disaster shifted the region’s focus toward sustainable, outdoor-driven recovery.
CCC now plans to extend the Village Boulders Trail another 1.5 miles into the new property. The land contains about 50 established routes, dozens of boulders, and future classics like Wide Erp (5.10+), Lumberjack Crack (5.10a), Solar Slab, and the iconic Ugly project.
Public access will stay limited during trail construction to prevent erosion and protect neighboring properties. Work begins November 2025, with hopes of completing the first 0.75 miles by April 2026, depending on volunteer turnout.
