Lake Lure, North Carolina

The beautiful resort town of Lake Lure is located in western North Carolina’s scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and is nestled around sparkling 718-acre Lake Lure, a popular water recreation venue. With a mature demographic, this rural oasis has been a favorite retirement spot for years.

Several movies, including 1987’s Dirty Dancing and 1992’s The Last of the Mohicans, have been filmed here. One glimpse of the area and it is easy to understand why, as green hills meet crystal blue water to create a breathtaking movie-set tableau.  

Tourists flock here during the summer, swelling the population by 10 times. They enjoy a bounty of outdoor activities, and the town caters to them with shops, restaurants, campgrounds, hotels and resorts.  

Otherwise, there is a grocery store, a bank or two, a hardware store and the like. Residents enjoy a public beach and a public library, which has free wi-fi. The 65+ demographic is active, meeting regularly for yoga, line dancing, etc. at Bill’s Creek Community Center. 

Most homes sit in the woods and come in a variety of styles, although many feature cabin or Alpine architecture.

The main road in and out of town is particularly congested on summer weekends.

Scenic Chimney Rock Park is a nearby mountain hiking and camping area.