text: Lake Lure NC - Lake Lure North Carolina
  Destinations • North America • United States • North Carolina • Lake Lure NC
  Lake Lure NC is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Asheville area. Most visitors come to enjoy the lake that inspired the town's name and to savor the views from Chimney Rock. These views include Lake Lure itself and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. It's a spectacular setting to say the least, and even if you only have a few hours to spare, it can be a fine place to stop while in the region.
  Lake Lure North Carolina is more of a resort community than an actual town or city. That being said, it was incorporated as a town in 1927. This was one year after the dam that created Lake Lure was completed. It all started with the vision of one Dr. Lucius B. Morse, who purchased hundreds of acres around Chimney Rock back in 1902 and turned it into Chimney Rock Park. Dr. Morse bought more land subsequent to this original purchase in order to expand the park. This park, you might be interested to know, has been used to set the stage for various movie scenes. Parts of The Last of the Mohicans, Firestarter, and A Breed Apart were shot there. Also interesting to consider is the fact that many scenes for the movie Dirty Dancing were filmed in Lake Lure.
  Lake Lure's surface area covers approximately 720 acres, and around the lake's edge is a little more than twenty miles of shoreline. A man-made lake, it is known for its beauty, and during the warmer months, residents and visitors alike use it to their advantage. Clean beach areas with lifeguards are in good supply, and the water activity options include boating, canoeing, water skiing, and swimming. Anyone with a private boat will need a lake permit, it should be noted. These are sold at the Town Hall.
  All kinds of recreational opportunities await in the Lake Lure area, and they include hiking, rock climbing, birdwatching, and fishing, just to name a few. Visitors to the vicinity can also consider taking a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is one of the most picturesque driving routes in the entire country. Access points for this roadway are up near Asheville, which is about 25 miles northwest of Lake Lure Town.
  Close to Lake Lure proper, Chimney Rock Park certainly begs to be explored. This is where you will find the popular Chimney Rock overlook, which is high enough up to put a fright in those who are scared of heights. Some excellent hiking trails wind their way through Chimney Rock Park, and at the end of one of them is a waterfall. Known as Hickory Nut Falls, this waterfall is among the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River, and on hot days, the cooling mist is divine. There are fees to access Chimney Rock Park, and buses are used to transport visitors from the parking area up to the Chimney Rock lookout. Once at the top, visitors will find a gift shop and public restrooms.
  Down in the town of Lake Lure North Carolina, shopping or getting something to eat are main draws. The main strip is home to shops that sell some pretty eclectic items. On the dining front, it is possible to get a hot dog or a hamburger if that's all you want. You can also go more upscale and order something like prime rib or rosemary-garlic shrimp.
  There's definitely a lot to do in and around Lake Lure NC, and if you wish to fully explore the region, getting a Go Blue Ridge card is worth considering. These cards allow holders to gain admission to 30 regional attractions, the likes of which include Chimney Rock Park and the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. One place to get a Go Blue Ridge card is the Ticket Plaza at Chimney Rock Park.
  Lake Lure rentals are in relatively good supply, and they come primarily in the form of cabins and cottages. Most of these rentals are very clean and well-equipped, so you don't have to rough it in a rustic abode with zero comforts. Chances are good that you'll even have kitchen facilities, and things like a jetted tub and a fireplace might also figure among the amenities. If you're looking for hotels, there are a few bed and breakfasts in the immediate area that can make fine bases. Some of the area bed and breakfasts offer cabin or cottage rentals, too.