Area Description: Lake Lure is a well-known destination for thousands of visitors each year from around this country, Canada, and abroad. The Town of Lake Lure is a beautiful place to visit and a wonderful place to live; it is the home of over 1,050 permanent residents. Located in western North Carolina, the town sits in the heart of Hickory Nut Gorge, east of Asheville. The Rocky Broad River winds its way through a series of rapids down through Hickory Nut Gorge, and the crystal clear water flows through the valley that feeds Lake Lure. The Town of Lake Lure encompasses 13.25 square miles including the lake with a large central body of deep water, three long bays, an island of seven acres and many small bays and inlets with a background of forest clad hills and mountains. The climate is unusually temperate as Lake Lure lies in the “thermal belt” of the western North Carolina mountains and foothills. The lake is the number o ... [Read More]

Area Description: Lake Lure is a well-known destination for thousands of visitors each year from around this country, Canada, and abroad. The Town of Lake Lure is a beautiful place to visit and a wonderful place to live; it is the home of over 1,050 permanent residents. Located in western North Carolina, the town sits in the heart of Hickory Nut Gorge, east of Asheville. The Rocky Broad River winds its way through a series of rapids down through Hickory Nut Gorge, and the crystal clear water flows through the valley that feeds Lake Lure. The Town of Lake Lure encompasses 13.25 square miles including the lake with a large central body of deep water, three long bays, an island of seven acres and many small bays and inlets with a background of forest clad hills and mountains. The climate is unusually temperate as Lake Lure lies in the “thermal belt” of the western North Carolina mountains and foothills. The lake is the number one attraction and the reason so many families visit Lake Lure year after year. National Geographic has called Lake Lure one of the most beautiful man-made lakes in the world. Visitors come to enjoy the 720 acres of lake, sparkling clean beach area, and the incredible Blue Ridge mountain range including Chimney Rock. History records that the idea of a resort community in western North Carolina was the vision of Dr. Lucius B. Morse. Soliciting the financial backing of his brothers, Dr. Morse purchased 400 acres around Chimney Rock in 1902 to create Chimney Rock Park. Additional acreage was acquired over the next several years to bring the total to 8,000 acres. Dr. Morse conceived the idea of building a dam on the Rocky Broad River to create a lake and a year-round resort. The dam was completed in September 1926, forming the lake which was named Lake Lure by Dr. Morse’s wife, Elizabeth Parkenson. The Town of Lake Lure was incorporated in 1927. The Town of Lake Lure is a great location for sports including swimming, golfing, hiking or serious rock climbing. You can enjoy a wide variety of water activities, ranging from canoeing and fishing to pleasure boating and water skiing. Both motor and non-motorized boats enjoy the lake; however, a lake permit is required to place a private boat on the lake.