When it comes to enjoying the best of the Western North Carolina mountains and water-based activities on the lake, Lake Lure's location is hard to beat. It is conveniently located within 25-35 miles of Asheville and Black Mountain for visitors that enjoy the excitement of mountain culture, restaurants, and breweries coupled with days of boating, fishing, swimming or just soaking in some sunshine and enjoying the local water park.
Lake Lure Beach and Water Park
Lake Lure Beach and Water Park
Set aside on 3-acres, Lake Lure's beach area is a family-friendly gathering spot that is perfect for a day of swimming, building sand castles, or just bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy. Beach access also includes admission to the water park and use of the water slide and fully-outfitted water wars area. The Lake Lure beach is open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day weekend. Hours and opening times are subject to change though, so check out the website for updated hours and rates.
An on-site beach house also sells towels, chairs, sunscreen, floats, toys, and water balloons for the water wars area...so no worries if you forgot a few items at home.
Lake Lure Tours
You definitely don't have to be a boat owner to vacation and boat on Lake Lure -- just some previous experience with boats and a permit for the motorized boats. Lake Lure Washburn Marina offers a variety of motorized and non-motorized rentals including pontoon boats, stand-up paddleboards, canoes, kayaks and hydro bikes for an hourly fee. From April to October, they are open each day, and offer limited hours from November and December.
Lake Lure aerial view
Lake Lure Tours also has guided boat tours and includes a narrative on the natural and cultural history of Hickory Nut Gorge, Lake Lure, plus, you will visit landmarks that were used during the filming of the movie Dirty Dancing. They also have specialty tours, such as romantic sunset cruises.
Morse Park
With beautiful mountain views of the Hickory Nut Gorge, this 23-acre pet-friendly park is located in the center of town on the western end of Lake Lure and is open year round. It's a great spot for a casual walk or run and is broken up into four different scenic areas including a meadow, the gardens, the wetlands, and riverside. If you have any questions, Morse Park has a fully staffed visitor center. Other facilities include:
- Lighted tennis courts
- Basketball court
- Playground with slides, swings and climbing structure for the kids
- Covered picnic tables with grills
- Walking trails
- Large covered gazebo for events
- Beautiful gardens
- Bird-watching in the wooded wetlands
Morse Park
Lake Lure has a variety of additional parks including Pool Creek Picnic Park which is approachable by boat and a great spot to picnic. Buffalo Creek Park and The Weed Patch Mountain Trail offers fun mountain biking opportunities in addition to hiking. The Town Center Walkway is an easy access path that connects to areas such as the Lake Lure Beach and Water Park, the Washburn Marina, Morse Park and Lake Lure Flowering Bridge.
Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge is worth a visit while in the area. The historic bridge #7 which stretches over the Rocky Broad River was completed in 1925, and was given over to the Town of Lake Lure in 2011 after a new bridge was built to handle local traffic. The bridge is maintained by a community-based non-profit organization and is completely decked out with beautiful flowers and gardens with walking areas.
Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
Lake Lure Golf Club
Play this nine-hole, 235-acre, golf course within the beautiful backdrop of Hickory Nut Gorge. The course is open year round and is complete with its own clubhouse, a storage building for golf carts, a driving range and two putting greens.
Other Attractions Near Lake Lure
Rumbling Bald Climbing and Bouldering
A quick 10-minute drive will bring you to the non-fee area of Chimney Rock State Park known as Rumbling Bald which has world-class bouldering and technical rock climbing. The boulder fields contain an estimated 1,500 bouldering problems that are easily accessible with a quick hike along with your crash pad. Be sure to fill out a climbing permit at the kiosk of the parking lot.
Chimney Rock State Park
Speaking of Chimney Rock State Park, the popular park that is located within 10 minutes of Lake Lure, is another great spot to visit on your Lake Lure vacation. The park offers 75-mile views overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. The Park also has family-friendly naturalist programming, rock climbing, bird walks and a 404-foot waterfall to name a few other highlights.
Chimney Rock State Park
Tryon International Equestrian Center
The home of the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, the Tryon International Equestrian Center is an easy drive from most areas in Lake Lure. They offer fun activities on Saturday nights and most competitions are completely free.
If you are looking for a place to stay in the Lake Lure area, check out our available Lake Lure vacation rentals.