Southeast of Asheville and Hendersonville, in the Hickory Nut Gorge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is Lake Lure. The name Lake Lure applies to both the lake and the town.
We are a small town wrapped around the lake that is our heart. The combination of mountain views and lake is superb and it’s no surprise that the lake has been recognized as one of the top 10 man-made lakes in the US. Our pace of life is, well, a bit slower than in big cities. For instance, if the ducks at the community pond decide to cross the road, traffic stops. We might wonder why they don’t simply fly across, but they choose to walk, and we accommodate them.
Early in the 20th century, Dr. Lucius Morse discovered our corner of western NC and became the driving force bringing development to the area. His vision brought a hydroelectric power plant, and created both the lake with its nearly thirty miles of shoreline, and the town, incorporated in 1927. Today, the town of Lake Lure owns the lake which means it is its residents who maintain control over it. There is a strong focus on keeping the water sparkling clean and maintaining high water levels for recreational usage.
Chimney Rock State Park is adjacent to Lake Lure and has recently become part of the NC State Park system. That means that we now have about 5000 acres that will be pristinely maintained for generations to come. The park is famous as the location for the dramatic mountain flight scene in “The Last of the Mohicans”. It offers miles of hiking trails, a 400 foot waterfall, and a great view of the entire region from its lookout atop The Rock. Lake Lure’s 720-acre lake provides many more recreation opportunities. Visitors can rent boats, take boat tours, or just relax on the town beach. Water skiing- but not jet skiing- is permitted.
Local riding stables offer horseback riding. North Carolina is golfer’s paradise and Lake Lure is no exception. Rumbling Bald Resort on Lake Lure has two 18-hole courses: the Dan Maples Championship Golf Course at Apple Valley, and the beautiful Bald Mountain Golf Course. The Lake Lure Municipal Golf Course and several other excellent courses are nearby.
Visitors and vacationers can find hotels, motels, B&Bs, log cabins or lakefront mansions to rent for the weekend or the summer. Rumbling Bald Resort on Lake Lure offers a wide variety of affordable rentals.
Lake Lure dining can be both casual and fine. Don’t worry if you forgot to bring a jacket and tie, just make sure you have shoes on your feet. Pull your boat up to the dock at Larkin’s or enjoy the dinner cruise that leaves from Rumbling Bald Resort. Both food and sunsets across the lake and gorge are not to be missed.
Should you decide to stay forever, if you want to find a second home, or land to build on, Beverly-Hanks has two Lake Lure offices to help you. The north shore office is at Rumbling Bald Resort on Lake Lure, a fully amenitized golf community. The south shore office is located across the road from the beach.
Rumbling Bald Resort on Lake Lure: FALL PARADE OF HOMES Followed by…. Oyster Roast On The Beach Saturday, November 6, 1- 4 PM (FREE!!)
