Lake Lure is back open — here's your trip itinerary
A message from: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock & The Blue Ridge Foothills
Here's the deal: We did the quick hour and 45-minute drive from Charlotte and spent 24 hours exploring the area ahead of the grand reopening over Memorial Day — and we easily could have spent another full day soaking it all in.
Here's our full itinerary and some additional recommendations.👇
What to see + do
🌊 Experience the beauty of the lake.
After 20 months of debris cleanup, rebuilding and restoration, the lake is full, clean and fully open for summer.
Lake Lure Adventure Co. is a locally-owned spot for rentals and guided adventures, including:
- Pontoon boats, stocked with pool noodles and a cooler. Boat rentals are pet-friendly.
- Waterskiing, tubing, kneeboarding, wakeboarding and wakesurfing.
- Kayaks and paddleboards.
- Guided fishing tours.
We opted for kayak rentals. Not only was the water incredibly calm, but the mountain views from there were breathtaking. We even spotted Chimney Rock from afar.
⛰️ Visit Chimney Rock State Park.
There are six hiking trails for various ages and skill levels throughout the park. We checked out two of the most popular.
The Outcroppings trail takes you up to the iconic Chimney Rock monolith with panoramic views of the lake below.
- Take note: This is a pretty strenuous hike with about 500 stairs. If you want the views without the cardio or you're short on time, you can take the elevator.
The Hickory Nut Falls trailhead is just down the hill from the main Chimney Rock parking lot.
- This 1.4-mile hike takes you to the bottom of a 404-foot waterfall — one of the highest in the state and on the East Coast.
🌳 Zipline through Hickory Nut Gorge.
Amp up the adventure at Canopy Ridge Farms, where you can take a guided UTV or zip line tour through the forest surrounding the lake.
The zip line tour includes six lines that get progressively longer and faster — culminating in a line named "Zipzilla," which was 1,000 feet long and reached speeds up to 35mph.
- The guides were fun, knowledgeable and full of dad jokes. They'll even show you how to go upside down if you're up for the challenge.
- Be prepared for some brief hiking between platforms.
Where to dine + drink
🍹 Grey Hawk Bar & Gardens: This place is such a vibe. From the brightly colored patio furniture to the fun cocktails and over-the-top food presentation, it's a must-visit.
- They also have a coffee shop on-site called The Hatchling that serves gourmet espresso drinks with boozy add-on options, tea and pastries.
🌭 Lured Market: This spot is conveniently located across from the beach, with a walk-up window, lawn space and indoor bar. There are also local gifts and produce in the shop across the street.
- The restaurant has live music Friday-Sunday, sometimes multiple times throughout the day.
🍴 Appalachia at the Lodge on Lake Lure: This restaurant felt like an encapsulation of Lake Lure's best aspects and was an incredible meal start to finish.
- The ambiance was cozy and charming, the views were unbeatable and the menu was a celebration of local flavors.
- We tried the baked brie, seasonal gnocchi dish, steak du jour, crème brûlée and chocolate torte. No notes.
Where to stay
🛎️ Lake Lure Inn and Spa: We stayed at this historic 1927 property overlooking the Lake Lure beach.
- It's centrally located and within walking distance of several restaurants, including Lured Market.
- The hotel offers rooms with jacuzzis, standalone cabins, a restaurant, an outdoor pool and a bar, where we enjoyed cocktails with home-made seasonal fruit purees.
- The spa on the property is temporarily closed.
Worth a mention: The hotel has welcomed prominent figures like FDR, and was the home base for Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey during the filming of "Dirty Dancing."
🗝️ The Lodge on Lake Lure: A secluded nature retreat directly on the lake, and home to the previously mentioned Appalachia restaurant.
- The Lodge has 13 rooms in the main building and four cabin rooms. Due to the property size, be sure to book your stay early.
- Enjoy on-site lake access for swimming, and enhance your stay with a boat tour or kayak rentals.
Take note: There are also plenty of accommodations available for short-term rental on sites like VRBO and Airbnb.
Where to shop
🛍️ Chimney Rock Village: This charming village is just up the road from Lake Lure at the base of the state park — making it an easy stop pre- or post-hike to support local businesses and see the ongoing hurricane recovery in real time.
You can find the Hurricane Helene high water marker on the corner of Main Street and Terrace Drive.
- While taking photos, a local let us know the marker was being moved because it wasn't posted high enough. She showed us photos of the floodwaters up as high as the second-story balconies.
- Many businesses were destroyed upriver from the former park entrance.
The positive news: Rebuilding efforts and infrastructure improvements are well underway, and a dozen businesses are welcoming visitors.
What's open in Chimney Rock Village:
Food:
- Chimney Rock Smokehouse
- Rocky River Ice Cream and Fudge
- Riverwatch Bar & Grill + Riverwatch Coffeehouse & Gift Shop
- Village Scoop
Shops:
- Bubba O'Leary's General Store
- Mountain Traders
- Chimney Sweeps
- The Finderie
- Chimney Rock Gemstone Mine
- Willow Creek
- Natives Rest Candles and Local Gifts
- Sacred Chakrah
The takeaway: Lake Lure offers a scenic escape from the city where you can slow down, get in touch with nature and make memories with friends and family.
- Visiting this summer supports a destination that is actively rebuilding and moving forward — so that people can continue experiencing this special slice of Western North Carolina for years to come.
Plan your getaway to Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, and the Blue Ridge Foothills.
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