Lake Lure

(Last Updated 2017)

Lake Lure is located at the bottom of beautiful Hickory Nut Gorge, approximately 40 minutes southeast of Asheville and about 30 minutes from Hendersonville. It is situated adjacent to the charming village of Chimney Rock. The town was founded in 1927. What was once primarily thought of as a summer destination is increasingly becoming populated by year-round residents. The lake sits at 1100 feet elevation, so is slightly warmer than Asheville.

I HIGHLY recommend that you take the short boat tour of Lake Lure (https://www.lakeluretours.com). The tours leave every hour on the hour beginning at 11:00am. It is very difficult to get views of the homes as you drive around the lake….the views from the water are impressive.

Lake Lure offers public access for boating. You do NOT have to be a resident of Lake Lure to boat there but you DO need a pass in order to access the lake. Daily, weekly, monthly passes are available. The annual motorized boat permit is $550 for non-residents and $200 for residents. (http://www.townoflakelure.com/boat-permit-info-page.php) The Washburn Marina, located near the Lake Lure Inn and public beach at the extreme western tip of the lake, is the lake’s only public marina. It has about 80 slips and typically has a wait list, so you will need to inquire. Annual boat slips at Washburn are $1100 for Lake Lure residents and $1500 for non-residents. The marina has a convenient public boat launch and both the slips and launch are accessible 24/7 year round. There are private marinas at Rumbling Bald Resort, Lake Lure Village Resort and Firefly Cove. Be aware that the town has a scheduled winter drawdown of the lake every THREE years in order to conduct maintenance. Lakefront residents also take the opportunity during these periods to do repair work to their docks, boat houses and seawalls.

Rumbling Bald Resort dominates the northern end of the lake. There’s a different feel up there. Further away but definitely quieter and more relaxed. Rumbling Bald a mix of single family homes, villas, two golf courses, a pool, spa, wellness center, dining options, and a private beach. (https://www.rumblingbald.com/discover/living-here/ownership-benefits) Their marina has 125 slips but currently has a wait list. The 2017 slip rate is $1500/year. You can only add your name to the wait list upon closing on your property. There IS a boat launch at the Rumbling Bald marina. The 2018 Rumbling Bald IMPROVED Property POA fees are $2379/year and the POA fees for LOTS are $1532/year. Condo association fees will typically be an additional fee. (Overview of Rumbling Bald HOA/POA Fees) Rumbling Bald residents usually access the area by traveling north on Bill’s Creek Rd, then west on Buffalo Creek Rd. You can also access it by traveling north along Buffalo Shoals Rd.

The old Lake Lure Golf Club (Donald Ross design) is along 74A, just east of the lake. The area’s two nicest courses are on the northern end of the lake. You will pass Apple Valley Golf Course along Buffalo Creek Road, and Bald Mountain Golf Course is actually inside the gates of Rumbling Bald Resort.

Location around the lake can greatly impact commute times. Homes on the northern and eastern side of the lake can have a 10-20 minute longer commute back into Hendersonville or Asheville than those along the southern or western rim. The main grocery store (a VERY nice Ingles) is located about ¼ mile down Rte 9, at the southernmost tip of the lake.

Lake Adger is located about 10 miles south of Lake Lure and is very accessible from Hwy 9. Lake Adger has a more remote feel than Lake Lure but is only about 15 minutes from the Tryon International Equestrian Center, 15 minutes from Columbus (grocery stores and restaurants), and 20 minutes from the beautiful town of Tryon. Lake Adger is known for its Muskie fishing and property owners also have access to the lake’s equestrian trails. https://www.lakeadger.com/