Plan Your Summer Festival Fun in the NC Mountains!
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One of the most beautiful man-made lakes in the country, Lake Lure is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Located about 27 miles from Asheville, Lake Lure sits in the Hickory Nut Gorge, surrounded by lush mountain tops and sheer granite cliffs. Look up to see the famous Chimney Rock. From the top of Chimney Rock, there are spectacular views of the lake and gorge. It has been a filming location for scenes from the movies Thunder Road, Dirty Dancing, A Breed Apart, The Last of the Mohicans, and Firestarter.
Take a relaxing walk on the boardwalk any time of the year (free) and cross the Flowering Bridge. Enjoy a picnic by the lake. Nearby is shopping and restaurants in the village of Chimney Rock. The lake is owned by the town of Lake Lure, with private homes surrounding most of the lake. Access is provided via a town marina, beach, and park.
Things To Do at Lake Lure
The Beach: While the wide sandy beach and lake are owned by the town, a private company maintains the beach and its amenities that include a waterslide into the lake and a water park perfect for a hot summer day. There are also restrooms, changing rooms, a snack bar, and picnic tables. It's open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Early and late season, it's weekend only - and 7 days a week mid-June through mid-August. Admission is around$10/adults, $9/seniors, $8/age 4-12 - includes water park. No pets allowed. Beach house are 10 AM-5 PM. The beach is along US Highway 64 / 74A. The street address is 2930 Memorial Hwy, Lake Lure.
Rumbling Bald Trail: Now part of the Chimney Rock State Park, this is a popular spot for rock climbing, bouldering and hiking. Hike the 1.5-mile loop by the boulders and cliffs. Read more.
Town Center Walkway: From the Flowering Bridge, walk the Town Center Walkway along the lake for spectacular mountains views, extending 3/4 of a mile by Morse Park, the Marina, and the beach.
Morse Park & Greenway: Enjoy spectacular vistas of the Hickory Nut Gorge with a picnic or stroll at this 23-acre community lakeside park. Get lots of great information at the Rutherford County Visitors Center there.
Lake Lure Tours (2930 Memorial Hwy) offers guided boat tours and boat rentals. In April-October, relax on one of their covered tour boats while your skipper guides you past local attractions and landmarks such as the locations used in filming the popular film Dirty Dancing. Tour tickets are sold at the Marina.
Mountain Biking (and hiking): Buffalo Creek Park is the gateway to 1,500 acres of conserved land that protects the northern headwaters of Lake Lure. When fully developed, it will offer over 10 miles of intermediate to advanced mountain biking trails and picnic facilities along Buffalo Creek. The current mountain trail snakes upward in a 3.5-mile loop that climbs approximately 500 feet through forest terrain and boulder fields. An additional one mile trail is open for two miles out and back. Directions: From Asheville, drive the curvy road around Lake Lure on U.S. Highway 64/74A about a mile past the dam to Bill's Creek Road. Turn left and go about 2 miles and turn left on Buffalo Creek Road. Follow this road for 2.2 miles, past the golf courses and condos. Turn right at the sign for Rumbling Bald Resort, cross the small bridge and continue for 1.6 miles. The park entrance will be on your left. Weed Patch Mountain Trail extends for 8.5 miles to Eagle Rock.
Lake Lure Golf Club: This nine-hole public course offers a challenging golf game amidst the beautiful scenery of Hickory Nut Gorge. The course is open year round and has a clubhouse, driving range and two putting greens.
Lake Lure Adventure Company: Dedicated to providing a safe, fun, exciting, and adventurous experience on Lake Lure with watersport trips, wakeboard, wakesurf, waterski, kneeboard, tube, fishing and more. Boat rentals also available.
The Right Track Toy Train Museum is an interactive toy train museum with 100% of the proceeds going to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. It is fun for children as well as adults. Open Wednesday-Sunday during thesummerand Friday-Sunday afternoons the rest of the year. 2414 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure.
Directions
Lake Lure is located 27 miles from downtown Asheville. Follow I-240 East to Exit #9, Highway 74A East to Bat Cave and continue on Highway 74A (and Highway 64) to Lake Lure.
Nearby
See more cool North Carolina mountain small townsincluding nearby Chimney Rock Village, Rutherfordton and Forest City in Rutherford County.
Lake Lure Places to Stay
Tier 1 Nestled on the north shore of beautiful Lake Lure by the towering cliffs of Rumbling Bald Mountain, this 3,000+ acre property has a private beach, two championship golf courses, a spa, four… read more Nestled on the north shore of beautiful Lake Lure by the towering cliffs of Rumbling Bald Mountain, this 3,000+ acre property has a private beach, two championship golf courses, a spa, four restaurants, mountain biking, tennis, pickleball, and all sorts of lake activities. Choose from a variety of studio villas, 2 & 3 BR condos and rental homes up to 4 bedrooms. Explore the lake by pontoon… Visit WebsiteRumbling Bald on Lake Lure
Tier 1 The scenic foothills of Rutherford County include the towns of Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Rutherfordton, Forest City, and more! Explore the expansive outdoors surrounding these small towns including… read more The scenic foothills of Rutherford County include the towns of Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Rutherfordton, Forest City, and more! Explore the expansive outdoors surrounding these small towns including the Thermal Belt Trail, ziplines, waterfalls, hikes, camping, and more! Visit WebsiteRutherford County Outdoors
Tier 1 This luxury inn combines southern elegance with rustic serenity at a beautiful lakeside retreat. Have fun on the lake with apontoon boat, paddle board or kayak from a localadventure sports… read more This luxury inn combines southern elegance with rustic serenity at a beautiful lakeside retreat. Have fun on the lake with apontoon boat, paddle board or kayak from a localadventure sports vendor. Relaxonthe veranda, then enjoy alocally-sourced meal in their Tree Tops Restaurant.17 rooms, from $245, pet-friendly, plush bathrobes, WiFi. Tryon International Equestrian Center is 20 minutes… Visit WebsiteLodge on Lake Lure
Tier 2 Take a scenic lakecruise from Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure. Choose from their daily scenic cruise, lunch stop cruise or late afternoon wine cruise. All tours depart from their North Shore Beach… read more Take a scenic lakecruise from Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure. Choose from their daily scenic cruise, lunch stop cruise or late afternoon wine cruise. All tours depart from their North Shore Beach Cabana. Before or after, walk the beach or dine in one of their restaurants. Visit WebsiteLake Lure Cruises
Tier 2 Stop by for free travel guides, brochures and advice for fun in Lake Lure, Chimney Rock and Rutherford County. See a display of movies filmed here, including Dirty Dancing and Last of the Mohicans… read more Stop by for free travel guides, brochures and advice for fun in Lake Lure, Chimney Rock and Rutherford County. See a display of movies filmed here, including Dirty Dancing and Last of the Mohicans. The “Map Room” includes a wall-sized timeline of local heritage withfolklore, local culture, and topography map of Hickory Nut Gorge. Open daily! 2932 Memorial Highway (US-64/74), Lake Lure Visit Website
Tier 2 Order a free copy of the award-winning travel guide to the Rutherford County foothills that includes Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Rutherfordton, Forest City and much more! Order a free copy of the award-winning travel guide to the Rutherford County foothills that includes Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Rutherfordton, Forest City and much more! Visit Website
Tier 2 Find a big variety of cabins, condos and other vacation rentals at Lake Lure - as presented by Rutherford County Tourism. Find a big variety of cabins, condos and other vacation rentals at Lake Lure - as presented by Rutherford County Tourism. Visit WebsiteLake Lure Cabin Rentals
Tier 2 You will find“something old and something new" in these historic and romantichoneymoon log cabins on beautiful Lake Lure.8 cabins.All cabins have fully-equipped kitchens, satellite TV, DVD… read more You will find“something old and something new" in these historic and romantichoneymoon log cabins on beautiful Lake Lure.8 cabins.All cabins have fully-equipped kitchens, satellite TV, DVD player andcovered deck.Linens andtowels are provided. The new cabins have a hot tub, gas fireplace and gas grill. Four pet friendly cabins. Canoes, horse shoes, fishing pondsand a dock on Lake Lure… Visit WebsitePine Gables Log Cabins, Lake Lure
Lake Lure Festivals
tier The Dirty Dancing Festival is now the Lake Lure Dance Festival!Fans of the cult-classic Dirty Dancing will relive memories of Baby's first dance in the film’s original, breathtaking backdrop of… read more The Dirty Dancing Festival is now the Lake Lure Dance Festival!Fans of the cult-classic Dirty Dancing will relive memories of Baby's first dance in the film’s original, breathtaking backdrop of Lake Lure. Read MoreLake Lure Dance Festival
tier - See and buy craft and art by 90+ artists from many different disciplines. Also enjoy live music and entertainment, many food vendors and the beauty of the lake. Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4. Free admission… read more See and buy craft and art by 90+ artists from many different disciplines. Also enjoy live music and entertainment, many food vendors and the beauty of the lake. Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4. Free admission. 119 Arcade St, Lake Lure Read MoreLake Lure Autumn Arts Festival
Free - See and buy craft and art by 90+ artists from many different disciplines. Also enjoy entertainment, food vendors and the beauty of the lake. Free admission. 119 Arcade St, Lake Lure See and buy craft and art by 90+ artists from many different disciplines. Also enjoy entertainment, food vendors and the beauty of the lake. Free admission. 119 Arcade St, Lake Lure Visit WebsiteLake Lure Spring Arts Festival
A Brief History of Lake Lure: The idea of this resort community in western North Carolina was the vision of Dr. Lucius B. Morse. Soliciting the financial backing of his brothers, Dr. Morse purchased 400 acres around Chimney Rock in 1902 to create Chimney Rock Park. Additional acreage was acquired over the next several years to bring the total to 8,000 acres. Dr. Morse conceived the idea of building a dam on the Rocky Broad River to create a lake and a year-round resort. The dam was completed in September 1926, forming the lake which was named Lake Lure by Dr. Morse’s wife, Elizabeth Parkenson. The Town of Lake Lure was incorporated in 1927.
Also See
- 7 Great Lakes Near Asheville, NC
- Hickory Nut Gorge, NC
- 20 Mountain Swimming Holes Near Asheville
- Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
