Camp & Hike
Bike
The lovely Lake Lure is in Western NC, by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, which is the site of their original homestead. It's got more than 700 acres of forest and over 20 miles of untouched beach, making it a perfect spot for a fancy camping vacation. People who love nature and being in a beautiful natural place really enjoy coming here.
You can do cool stuff like hiking, fishing, and rock climbing in this paradise. Boating on the lake is a great way to spend an afternoon. If you want to visit a big city, Asheville is less than 30 miles away. Camping on Lake Lure Beach NC is awesome, and you should check out Chimney Rock Village for shopping and dining – it's one of the best in the place.
1. Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground
If you want a peaceful place and fantastic way to enjoy Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, check out Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground in North Carolina. They've got 70 RV spots, 13 for tents, and 2 cabins, so there's a perfect place for everyone. It's right off Highway 64-74 by the Broad River.
The campsites are in the lovely Chimney Rock forest, giving you awesome views of the mountains and the Broad River. There are tons to do, like boating, tubing, fishing, hiking historical areas, glamping tents and more. Don't wait.
Things to do there:
- Cycling cruising breweries
- Water - indoor hangout area
- Hiking OHV Trails Fishing
- Enjoy live music
- Pedaling Eateries
- Parks in States
- Wineries
READ ALSO: Goodlettsville TN Campgrounds and RV Parks
2. Chimney Rock Park
Chimney Rock Park, located in Rutherford County 25 miles southeast of Asheville, features some of North Carolina's most dramatic mountain views, over Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. Hike to Hickory Nut Falls and take an elevator or climb to the summit of the park's namesake, a 315-foot freestanding rock spire, at the fee-based Chimney Rock attraction.
It boasts the most amenities, including riverfront areas, good shows, and gift stores. The Rumbling Bald and Eagle Rock, free points, offer a more difficult backcountry experience. Chimney Rock in Chimney Rock Park is a nature lover's dream, with breathtaking views and amazing hiking trails. They combine to produce a postcard-worthy mountain experience.
Things to do there:
- (3.5 mile hike)
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Restaurants with a concession stand
- Amphitheater and lecture hall
- Solar lights - multiple picnic tables
- Pavilion and picnic area
- Exhibits
3. Hitching Post Campground
The Hitching Post Campground is in a cool spot called Hickory Nut Gorge, really close to fun places like Lake Lure and blue ridge parkway, Chimney Rock State Park, Bat Cave, Rumbling Bald, and the Rocky Broad River. It's like a peaceful retreat in a beautiful valley with lots of animals, great places and pretty views, away from the busy everyday stuff.
This awesome place has a fishing pond, a playground, a camp store, a bathhouse, and nature trails. The trails cover 44 acres, going around brooks, waterfalls, and plants from the western North Carolina mountains and wild wild west asheville. If you want a camping paradise, check out Hitching Post Campground. It's near Lake Lure and the Broad River, offering tent sites, rv site, and even yearly lease sites.
You get a public transportation, fishing pond, tree houses, playground, picnic areas, power supply, camp store, bathhouse, and nature trails with waterfalls covering 44 acres. The campground is pet-friendly and not far from cool places like Lake Lure, Chimney Rock Village, Bat Cave, and Green River.
They even give discounts to nonprofit groups. So, if you're thinking of a genuine secluded camping experience and getaway, this is the place. And with its awesome location in Hickory Nut Gorge, it's a perfect camping experience.
Things to do there:
- Boating Access
- Tubing on the river
- Horsing around
- Fly fishing for troutShopping
- Golf (6 holes)
- Picnic areas and parks
- Antique hunting
- Hiking
READ ALSO: Wolf River Campgrounds and Resorts
4. Apple Valley Farm Motorcoach Resort
Apple Valley Farm is right in the middle of the Rumbling Bald Resort at Lake Lure, NC. It's a fantastic place with lots of things to do! Whether you love being outside, playing golf, being creative, shopping, or just chilling out, this is the place to be – super peaceful and relaxing!
There are a few lots up for grabs in this fully set up resort. Some have a cool cedar gazebo, and others come with a Fiberon deck. Lots of them have pretty stonework, private mountain view, vintage campers and lots of greenery. Plus, there are big areas everyone can use and enjoy together!
Things to do there:
- Hiking
- Biking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Kayaking
- Rock climbing
- Or stay in a treehouse.
5. Rutherford Mountain Campground
Imagine cozy RV camp sites surrounded by wildlife viewing and big black mountain covered in lush green trees. Everywhere you look, there are wild woods with free-roaming animals under the tall, strong branches. Rutherford Mountain Campground in North Carolina is a small, quiet place with only 16 sites.
The sites are spread out in a neat open area with a fantastic view of the North Carolina mountains. Each site has a community fire pit, perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring. You can enjoy a crackling campfire, roast s’mores, and gaze at the twinkling stars in the night sky. And guess what? All campers can use a salt-water pool, which is said to be healthier than a regular pool with chlorine.
Things to do there:
- Hiking
- Walking
- Running
- Cycling
- eat - wi-fi zone
- Paddling
- Horseback Riding
- Camping
6. Pine Gables Cabins
Pine Gables Log Cabins are in Lake Lure, just a mile south of the cute Village of Chimney Rock, NC. At Pine Gables, you can do cool stuff like canoeing, playing horseshoes, fishing in private ponds, and hanging out on Lake Lure's dock. Everything is in a natural spot with lots of different plants and animals.
And if you go a bit further, there's Lake Lure Beach, Chimney Rock State Park, good food places, the Lake Lure Inn, boat tours, horse riding, rock climbing, rafting, tennis courts, Chimney Rock Village, and fishing in the Rocky Broad River!
And if you like golf, Lake Lure has two really good golf courses and a nine-hole one, too. So, there's a bunch of fun stuff to do around Pine Gables, like city life fun - amazing restaurants!
Things to do there:
- Riding horses
- Climbing rocks
- Rafting in wild waters
- Playing tennis
- Warm water
- Exploring Chimney Rock Village
- Fishing for flies on the Rocky Broad River!
READ ALSO: Best Shawano Campgrounds and RV Parks
7. Buffalo Creek Park
Take a walk on the 5.6-km loop trail near Lake Lure, North Carolina. It's a bit challenging but usually takes about 1 hour and 38 minutes. People like to go birdwatching, hiking, and biking here. It's not too crowded, especially at certain times of the day when it's quieter. The trail is nicest from April to February. You can bring your dogs, but on a leash.
8. Camp Lurecrest
Camp Lurecrest is a cool Christian camp for kids in 3rd to 12th grade with own adventure - waterfalls. It's not just for one grade; each week is for three grades. It's by the pretty Lake Lure in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The camp, like, baying hound campground has lots of fun stuff like lake activities, ropes course, archery, crafts, and regular camp games.
They're not just about summer – they also do retreats in August-October for churches, youth groups, college groups, and other Christian crews who want mountain time.
At Camp Lurecrest, they're big on building close relationships and creating a strong community feeling. The summer staff gets into the ministry, staying in touch all year. They also believe in personal connections, like one-on-one talks between staff and campers, and training that's all about having meaningful conversations focused on the Gospel.
Things to do there:
- Boat Rides
- Tubing
- Canoeing
- Three line zip tour
- Climbing tour
- Crate stack
- Swimming poolL
- Water games
READ ALSO: Casper Campgrounds and RV Sites for Camping
9. Dogwood RV Park
They're a family-owned campground in Newport, NC, and they're super cozy and family-friendly. they're nestled by the Croatan mountainous forest and just a quick 30-minute drive from all the Crystal Coast beaches, MCAS Cherry Point, Historical New Bern, and other cool local stuff. Their campground is in the San Bernardino National Forest, about 20 miles northeast of San Bernardino, CA.
They've got 87 sites you can reserve, but no first-come/first-serve spots. You can enjoy interpretive programs on Friday and Saturday nights, hiking trails, and they're just 15 minutes from Lake Gregory, where you can go boating, fishing, and enjoy a water slide park.
They've got lots of cool stuff here, like a camp host, dump station, RV hookups, fire rings, firewood for sale, interpretive trails, programs, picnic tables, showers, and restrooms. Everything is accessible. If you want some fancy dining and cute shops, Lake Arrowhead Village is only 5 minutes away.
Things to do there:
- Biking
- Boating
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Golf
- Hunting
- Kayaking
10. Creekside Mountain Camping
Nestled amidst the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, Bat Cave, North Carolina is home to Creekside Mountain Camping. The campground is well-equipped and situated in a forested area. There are lots of tourist attractions close to Creekside Mountain Camping. Give us a call if you'd want to escape for a weekend or an exciting vacation! They will be happy to assist.
For campers with pop-ups, motor homes, and travel trailers, they provide a selection of sites beside creeks and beside mountains. Each site has hookups for electricity, water, and sewage. There's also a disposal station accessible. There are a few pull-thrus available.
Things to do;
- Hiking
- Cycling
- Paddling
- Camping
READ ALSO: Sawmill Campgrounds and Nearby Campsites
Is Lake Lure Worth Visiting?
The front is a calm lake, and behind us is a roaring river. Lake Lure is a cathedral of mountain cliffs. Here, in an exquisite environment, romance and charm meet with a fascinating past. Savor outdoor experiences such as hiking through the forest, riding a mountain bike with excitement, scaling a sheer rock face, or spending a day on the lake kayaking, fishing, or boating.
You'll find a wide range of accommodation, dining, and shopping options combined with a generous helping of real hospitality. It's no surprise that Lake Lure is among the top North Carolina locations for multi-sport adventurers, bathed in an environment of unparalleled scenic splendor at every turn, whether they choose climbing, paddling, water skiing, or hiking.
Conclusion
Any time is great to visit Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, but there's a peak season too. Check out their guide to find out when they love their beautiful spot in Western North Carolina the most.
Summer in Lake Lure, NC, is amazing! Lots of people come to the mountains in June, July, and August because there's so much cool stuff happening. You can chill on the beach, go to festivals, and watch fireworks – something for everyone in Western North Carolina.
And hey, you've gotta check out autumn in Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. Their cozy mountain town is just right for a classic Western North Carolina getaway. With leaves changing color and plenty of fall festivals, a trip to Lake Lure in the fall should be on everyone's list of things to do.
In Western North Carolina, spring is an incredibly underappreciated season that is occasionally ignored. Lake Lure becomes a fragrant and colorful paradise as the flowers bloom. We suggest taking a few short treks or visiting a waterfall. As the cold fades and the mountains resurrect, you'll see hundreds of varieties of blossoming flora and fauna along the path.
Winter is the greatest season to visit Gatlinburg if you want to see snow! The trees are covered in white snow, transforming the area into a gorgeous winter wonderland full with holiday pleasure.