Last Updated on May 31, 2023 by Nikole

Are you Looking for some adventurous things to do near Lake Lure for your next holiday? Let us help you plan your family, solo, or couples vacation at this beautiful lake!

Imagine taking a boat ride and seeing a “million dollar view”, then eating some of the most delicious food right on the patio above a raging river. Now that sounds like a great way to spend a day!

Join us in finding all the best things to do near Lake Lure below!

Where is Lake Lure Located?

Lake Lure is located in North Carolina. Asheville lies close by and is only 27 miles away from this gorgeous destination. Chimney Rock Village, Rutherfordton, and Forest City are also nearby cities.

The Hickory Nut Gorge cradles Lake Lure and creates gorgeous cliffs, green mountain tops, and unforgettable fall foliage.

1. Visit Lake Lure Flowering Bridge

Visiting Lake Lure Flowering Bridge in the springtime is a must-see, and is in fact one of Lake Lure’s top sights to see. There are over 2,000 species of flowers and plants to discover at this fairytale-like bridge.

This garden gracefully adorns the historic bridge #7 that takes you over a small portion of Lake Lure. The bridge was built in 1925, and the garden was dedicated in 2013. 

Grab your kids, walking shoes, and photography skills- Enjoy the peaceful scenery and scents of the flowers.

Best Time to Visit: Springtime, any time during the day

Hours of Operation: 24 hours

Cost: Free

Activities Involved: Photography, walking, scenery, flower, and plant gazing.

Google Maps Link: Lake Lure Flowering Bridge

2. Morse Park

Take a walk or have a picnic at Morse Park near Lake Lure. You will have all the scenic mountain views and activities at your fingertips.

The welcome center is located at this park, so feel free to stop by and ask about nearby attractions at Lake Lure. You can also grab pamphlets about the famous movie, “Dirty Dancing”- more about that later.

If walking isn’t your thing- fishing, tennis, basketball, and many other activities are offered at this beautiful Morse Park.

You will find many festivals taking place here.

If you need to make any reservations at Morse Park, you can look at their rental calendar. They can rent out things like picnic areas and gazebos for parties.

Best Time to Visit: Spring, Summer, and Fall

Hours of Operation: 8 AM- 9 PM every day

Cost: Entrance is free- rental costs vary according to activity.

Activities Involved: Hiking, fishing, boat tours, tennis, basketball, picnic, and events.

Google Maps Link: Morse Park, 2948 Memorial Hwy, Lake Lure, NC 28746

3. Rent A Boat

One of the best things you can do at Lake Lure is rent or bring your boat. You can also participate in a tour, which I would highly recommend.

With a tour, you will learn about the history of the lake and find out where parts of the movie Dirty Dancing was filmed.

Here are a few places that offer boat rentals and tours on Lake Lure:

Lake Lure Adventure CO.

Lake Lure Adventure CO. has a combo of rental boats and tour guides. 

Other than fishing trips, this company offers a few other things- I will list below their prices.

P.S.- this company has the best reviews out of all the boat rental companies on Lake Lure.

Boat Rentals

• 20′ boat is $115 per hour
• 22′ boat is $125 per hour

Guided Water Skiing, Tubing, Kneeboarding, Wakeboarding, and wake surfing

• $250 per hour

Kayak and Paddleboards

(they only offer these for those that live or rent directly on the lake, and will deliver them to you)

• $60-$80 per day

Guided Fishing Trips

• $350 for 4 hours

Lake Lure Boat Rental

Lake Lure Boat Rental is perfect for pontoon boat rentals. They only have pontoon boats, and they require 1/2 day rentals at a minimum. 

Unfortunately, they do not allow towing behind their boats- so no wakeboarding, skiing, or tubing. 

Did I mention they are pooch-friendly- with a fee of $25 of course? Time to let Fee Fee feel the lake air!

Here are some of their rates:

1/2Day Morning (10 AM-1:30 PM)

• $450

1/2Day Afternoon (2 PM-5:30 PM)

•  $450

Evening (5 PM-8 PM)

•  $350

FullDay (10:30 AM-4:30 PM)

•  $675

Multi-Day consecutive

•  $600/Day

There are plenty of other places to rent a boat, click around on the map below to find the best boat rentals at Lake Lure.

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Best Time to Visit: Late spring, Summer, early fall-Morning, daytime, evening

Hours of Operation: Depends on the boat rental. Most open at 8 AM and close around 6 PM

Cost: $60- $600, depending on what you rent

Activities Involved: boating, skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, tubing, fishing.

4. Visit Dirty Dancing

One of the top things to do at Lake Lure, North Carolina, features the motion picture Dirty Dancing.

The 1987 American dance, romance, and drama movie Dirty Dancing starred Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.

The movie tells the tale of Frances, or “Baby,” an innocent young woman who falls in love with a dancing instructor while on vacation with her family.

Both Baby holding the watermelon and the stair practice scenes were filmed at Lake Lure.

You can find some of the exact locations where the movie was filmed at the visitor center, they offer an entire pamphlet on the movie. Make sure you stop by so you won’t miss out on this Lake Lure experience. 

Best Time to Visit: Any-time

Hours of Operation: Unknown

Cost: Free, unless you get a tour on a boat

Activities Involved: Chasing movie scenes

5. Chill Out At The Beach

I always thought it was nice to have a beach where there are no jellyfish or sharks to worry about. Lake Lure has an awesome beach access area with a water park for you to enjoy for a small fee.

The beach access area offers boat tours and boat rentals.

Best Time to Visit: Summer months

Hours of Operation: Check out their open dates here.

How Much Does it Cost for Lake Lure’s Beach Access: $10 for adults/ $8 for kids ages 4- 12/ Children under 4 are free. These fees include beach access and water park access.

Activities Involved: swimming, water slides, boat rentals, boat tours

Google Maps Link: Directions to Lake Lure

6. Hike At Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock State Park is truly an adventuresome thing to do at Lake Lure that you won’t want to miss out on. 

There are so many activities to participate in including; hiking, sightseeing, waterfall chasing, rock climbing, and gift shopping. 

Admission is $17 for adults and $8 for children ages 5-15. Those ages 4 and under get in for free. You can also choose an annual pass for $32 which includes one adult, or a family annual pass for $80. 

Hike up a few flights of stairs (or use the provided elevator, which is what we did) to enjoy the famous rocky view. You will find the most mountain views on top of the mountain, of course. 

The first few views are easily accessible with very few stairs. There are more views the higher you go, We never did this because the park was so big, and I wanted to see the waterfall at the bottom.

The area is fairly easy to navigate with easy-to-follow trails and a free map to follow. If you want a glance of the map ahead of time I will provide that here on their website. 

When you are done exploring, you will most likely get hungry. Pack a picnic or eat at the Old Rock Cafe provided next to the gift shop.

Best Time to Visit: Anytime

Hours of Operation: Typical hours are from 8:30- 5:30. During the off-season, the park closes at 4:30. Check out the Chimney Rock website for more hours info. 

Cost: $17 for adults/ $8 for children 5-15/ Children 4 and under are free

Activities Involved: waterfall, sightseeing, hiking, rock climbing, gift shopping, eating.

Google Maps Link: Directions to Chimney Rock

7. Chase Waterfalls At Wildcat Rock

Speaking of waterfalls, only 17 minutes from Lake Lure is Wildcat Rock trail and overlook.

Enjoy a few small waterfalls, river sounds, and a 100-foot waterfall on this trail.

At the end of your hike, you will find a gorgeous view, but you will have to hike a 10-mile round trip to see this view.

Here are some of the stats on this trail that I pulled from Conserving Carolina’s website.

•  1 mile to Little Bearwallow Falls (2 miles round-trip) 
• 2 miles to Wildcat Rock (4 miles round-trip) 
• 3 miles to the ridgeline meadow on Little Bearwallow Mountain (6 miles round-trip) 
• 5 miles to the summit of Bearwallow Mountain (10 miles round-trip)

Best Time to Visit: Anytime

Hours of Operation: 24 hours

Cost: Free

Activities Involved: Hiking, photography, waterfall chasing.

Google Maps Link: Wildcat Rock directions

8. Shop and Eat at the Rocky Broad River Walk

The Rocky Broad River Walk is such a cool place to dine and shop. You can grab your favorite cup of coffee from Coffee on the Rocks and drink it by the riverside while you enjoy the sound of the water rushing.

Sit outside at the River Watch Bar and Grill and enjoy the River and Chimney Rock Scenery while eating some delicious food. 

While walking this boardwalk, be sure to stop in the Native Rest Candles shop for great scented candles or gifts for your family.

Best Time to Visit: Anytime

Hours of Operation: Depends on the store you visit. 

Cost: Depends on which store you visit. Walking around is free.

Activities Involved: Shopping, dining, coffee, river watching, sightseeing.

Google Maps Link: Directions to Rocky River Board Walk

9. Attend A Festival At Lake Lure

Lake Lure is packed full of festivals that let you let you get into the area’s culture and adventure. 

Check out classic boats and vehicles by attending Lake Lure’s spring classic Antique Car and Boat Show. The admission is completely free along with free classic boat rides! This takes place on May 10th from 10 AM to 4 PM. 

Best Time to Visit: Whenever a festival is happening

Hours of Operation: Depends on the festival

Cost: depends on the festival

Activities Involved: Cultural involvement, food, whatever else is involved at a festival.

10. Go Fishing

You can fish in a few ways: rent a kayak, rent a boat, bring your own boat, or fish in a designated fishing area. 

Make sure you have your fishing licenses when you go fishing.

Here are some of the species that exist on Lake Lure:

• catfish
• white bass
• large and smallmouth bass
• yellow perch 
• sunfish
• crappie.

Best Time to Visit: Morning or evening time

Hours of Operation: Whenever you can get out

Cost: Depends on which method of fishing you chose.

Activities Involved: Fishing, sightseeing

11. Right Track Toy Train Museum

The Right Track Toy Train Museum is a privately owned business that raises awareness for pancreatic cancer. The widow that owns the shop, Mrs. Peggy, had a husband who died of pancreatic cancer, and he built up the shop and built some of the trains that are displayed.

Mrs. Peggy does not accept cards, so be sure to bring some cash for entrance. The Entrance fee is $5 per person over the age of 3. 

There are old records, train sets, and a play area for children to learn about toy trains. 

Best Time to Visit: Any time it’s open

Hours of Operation: Friday through Sunday, 1 PM- 5 PM

Cost: $5

Activities Involved: Train exhibits and learning center

Google Maps Link: Directions to Right Track Toy Train Museum

12. Hike At Rumbling Bald State Park

If you are into rock climbing, cliffs, bouldering, or rappelling Rumbling Bald State Park is the place for you!

It’s free to get into the park, but you will need to bring your equipment for bouldering or rock climbing. 

You will need to fill out a climbing permit located at the kiosk in the parking lot for the trails. 

For more information, details, and regulations, check out the climbing management plan from 2016. This is the only plan written and hasn’t been updated- for more questions, be sure to call the CCC or Chimney Rock State Park.

Best Time to Visit: Winter Climbing is preferred by most in the area, but any season works.

Hours of Operation: Any time, camping is not allowed in the parking lot

Cost: Free

Activities Involved: Hiking, bouldering, climbing, rappelling, sightseeing. 

Google Maps Link: Directions to Rumbling Bald 

13. The Rocky Broad Riverwalk

Along the Rocky Broad River and behind the restaurants and shops is a small walkway along the river. You can access this small trail through any break in the buildings on the main strip. 

Enjoy the river scenery, fish, or hop on the rocks near this peaceful river walk. 

Best Time to Visit: Any time

Hours of Operation: Any time

Cost: Free

Activities Involved: Hiking, shopping, fishing, sightseeing, relaxing, and dining. 

Google Maps Link: Directions to The Rocky Broad River Walk

14. Go Horseback Riding

I loved our horseback riding adventures through the river with River Side Riding Stables. There were two different stables near Lake Lure to ride horses, but we loved this one because the owners were such a nice family.

We were taught how horses get irritated with each other, and how to ride them up and down hills. I had a very stubborn horse who didn’t like to keep up with the crowd, but we bonded because I’m pretty stubborn and lazy too!

They took us on a 2-hour river ride. We spent the whole time riding in the river with a slight incline during the beginning and end of the trip. 

They will also take you up the mountain if the river isn’t your scenery. 

You will have to call them at (828)288-1302

toll-free 1-866-206-0235) for prices as they are always changing. They don’t have their prices posted on their website. 

Best Time to Visit: Spring, summer, fall

Hours of Operation: 9 AM- 5 PM every day ( holidays may differ)

Cost: Depends on the day and season

Activities Involved: Horseback riding, river walking, sightseeing

Google Maps Link: Directions to River Dide Riding Stables

15. Golf with the Guys Near Lake Lure

If you are the golfer type and want to golf wherever you go on vacation, you’re in luck! Kick back and relax at some of these beautiful golf courses.

You may find that there are 3 supposed areas to golf near Lake Lure, but there is only one. The Apple Valley Golf Club is located near Wyndham Resorts (which is where we stayed) and consists of 18 holes. 

The other two golf courses shut down permanently. 

When is the Best Time to Visit Lake Lure?

The best time to visit Lake Lure is Summer and Early fall.

Summertime is perfect for cruising around on a rental boat and taking in the views around Lake Lure. You can also visit the beach and water slides with the family to cool off. 

Early fall is gorgeous, which is when we went. The beautiful fall foliage makes the views on top of Chimney Rock worth any price you could pay to get there. Also the boat tours with the “million dollar view” make it 10x better.

What is the “Million Dollar View” on Lake Lure?

You may have seen where I’ve mentioned the million-dollar view a few times in this text. The view is on one side of Lake Lure where you can see an almost 360 view of mountains towering over the lake!

 What is the top thing to do in Lake Lure?

The top thing to do at Lake Lure is a toss-up between Chimney Rock visits and Dirty Dancing scenes.

Lake Lure is known for the filming of Dirty Dancing- there are pamphlets and tour guides that all mention the movie and the scenes that were filmed at lake lure.

On the other hand, Chimney Rock has some of the best mountain views in the area. You can also see a full view of Lake Lure when you are at the top.

In Conclusion

I hope you have the best vacation when you decide what the best things to do at Lake Lure are. Let me know what you like the most about the lake in the comments below!