In 2022, the Town of Lake Lure and the Carolina Climbers Coalition began working to open a newly-discovered boulder field within Buffalo Creek Park. Once finished, this boulder field will be far more extensive than the existing Loop Trail Boulders, containing potential for 200+ problems (bouldering challenges) and 20-30 roped routes.
Access to the Upper Creek Boulders has been opened up via the Upper Boulders Trail, which is currently under construction. While this trail was primarily created to serve climbing access, it is also an interesting hiking trail in a previously inaccessible section of the Hickory Nut Gorge.
The Buffalo Creek Loop Trail Boulders and the new Buffalo Creek Upper Boulders Trailhead can be found off of Buffalo Creek Road, while Rumbling Bald Climbing Access Area can be found the Rumbling Bald Trailhead within Chimney Rock State Park.
The Upper Boulders Trail is located within Buffalo Creek Park in the Town of Lake Lure, and once finished, will be a 1.4 mile trail branching off of the existing Buffalo Creek Park Loop Trail. The moderately strenuous trail will gain approximately 500 feet of elevation and will pass boulders and small cliffs that are desirable for bouldering and roped climbing. The wildflowers, cascading creeks, abundant wildlife, remote forest, and summit views will be an attraction for hikers and climbers alike.
The Carolina Climbers Coalition is working on this trail weekly and is looking for volunteer and financial support for this project; for more information, please visit their website. This project is being funded by a grant from the RHI Foundation and the Rutherford County TDA, as part of Rutherford Bound's Year of the Trail initiative.
Additionally, the Upper Boulders Trail is now included in the Pisgah Map Company's Trail Guide to Hickory Nut Gorge, which can be purchased here.
In 2022, the Town of Lake Lure and the Carolina Climbers Coalition began working to open a newly-discovered boulder field within Buffalo Creek Park. Once finished, this boulder field will be far more extensive than the existing Loop Trail Boulders, containing potential for 200+ problems (bouldering challenges) and 20-30 roped routes.
Access to the Upper Creek Boulders has been opened up via the Upper Boulders Trail, which is currently under construction. While this trail was primarily created to serve climbing access, it is also an interesting hiking trail in a previously inaccessible section of the Hickory Nut Gorge.
The Buffalo Creek Loop Trail Boulders and the new Buffalo Creek Upper Boulders Trailhead can be found off of Buffalo Creek Road, while Rumbling Bald Climbing Access Area can be found the Rumbling Bald Trailhead within Chimney Rock State Park.
The Upper Boulders Trail is located within Buffalo Creek Park in the Town of Lake Lure, and once finished, will be a 1.4 mile trail branching off of the existing Buffalo Creek Park Loop Trail. The moderately strenuous trail will gain approximately 500 feet of elevation and will pass boulders and small cliffs that are desirable for bouldering and roped climbing. The wildflowers, cascading creeks, abundant wildlife, remote forest, and summit views will be an attraction for hikers and climbers alike.
The Carolina Climbers Coalition is working on this trail weekly and is looking for volunteer and financial support for this project; for more information, please visit their website. This project is being funded by a grant from the RHI Foundation and the Rutherford County TDA, as part of Rutherford Bound's Year of the Trail initiative.
Additionally, the Upper Boulders Trail is now included in the Pisgah Map Company's Trail Guide to Hickory Nut Gorge, which can be purchased here.
Community leaders from the Town of Lake Lure, Chimney Rock Village, Chimney Rock State Park, and Rutherford County gathered on Thursday, November 3rd to celebrate Lake Lure’s newest infrastructure project, the revitalization of the Lake Lure Town Center Walkway. Prior to the ribbon-cutting on the walkway, attendees gathered at the entrance to Lake Lure Beach for greetings and remarks by local officials.
The Lake Lure Town Center Walkway is a walking path of brick pavers that begins at Jack London Road near the ABC Store and crosses the Pool Creek Bridge, which extends to a floating boardwalk through the Washburn Marina. The walkway continues on toward Chimney Rock Village along US 64/74A through the Town of Lake Lure and across the historic Rocky Broad River Bridge, now called the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge. Updates to the Pool Creek Bridge pillars and globe lights were also completed in tandem with the Walkway paving project by George Wittmer, owner of Lake Lure Properties. The pillars and globe lights were restored to their original designs from 1925, when the bridge was built.
This infrastructure project was integral towards increasing pedestrian connectivity in Rutherford County, as it provides walkability between the town center, town hall, and the Flowering Bridge. Additionally, local leaders have identified a pedestrian walkway connecting the Town of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village as a much-hoped for priority, and the Walkway revitalization is an important step forward in this process.
“There’s been a lot of talk about connectivity. That’s the key, connecting the two communities (Chimney Rock Village and Lake Lure) – and we’re so close! I just want to encourage the two communities to continue to work together and connect for the benefit of pedestrians, who are so important to every town’s vitality and health,” said Peter O’Leary, Mayor, Chimney Rock Village
Town of Lake Lure Mayor Carol Pritchett reinforced Mayor O’Leary’s statement, saying, “One thing that is very near and dear to our hearts is connecting Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village. So much of what’s being done here is the beginning of that connection. We have great plans moving forward to connect the Flowering Bridge to Chimney Rock Village – all these things we do are a part of that and we love it when a plan comes together!
The revitalization of the Lake Lure Town Center Walkway is part of the Rutherford Bound initiative and was funded entirely by a $50,000 grant from the Tourism Development Authority. As there was no funding match from the Town of Lake Lure, there were no taxpayer funds used for this infrastructure project.
“One of the things that’s been truly remarkable about the impact that the TDA and Rutherford Bound has had on all of us and our work in our communities is that we seem to be working together in the county with common plans. We’re looking at things that benefit both communities at the same time, thinking about how we can profit in one place from what’s done in the other, “ said Mayor Pritchett.
August 25th - Leadership and community members of the town of Lake Lure cut the ribbon on a newly-constructed parking and access area at Buffalo Creek Trailhead that more than triples available parking and links adventurers and outdoor athletes to the beloved and rugged bike and foot paths of Weed Patch Mountain and surrounding wild areas adjacent to Lake Lure and Chimney Rock State Park.
The project was funded through the support of matching donations of $40,000 from both the Town of Lake Lure and the Rutherford County TDA, as well as financial gifts from the Rumbling Bald Resort, and from proceeds from the annual "Rumble" bouldering competition held in the area by the Carolina Climbers Coalition. Wilderness trail access and the economic boon for Lake Lure and the surroundings are among the key objectives for those who have advocated for this and other projects in this part of Western North Carolina.
This trailhead parking project is one of more than a dozen envisioned in an ongoing cooperation between the municipalities in Rutherford County and the county's Tourism Development Authority as part of the Rutherford Bound initiative.
The redesigned trailhead area also provides areas for picnicking equipped with ADA-compatible picnic tables.
On Thursday, July 28th, Mayor Carol Pritchett from the Town of Lake Lure cut the ribbon to officially celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated overlook and walkway at Morse Park. Rutherford County residents, along with Town and County officials gathered in the Park gazebo to hear more about the improvements made in the park and walk along the newly-upgraded pathway along the shoreline of Lake Lure.
Visitors to Morse Park are offered a sweeping views of Lake Lure and the dramatic landscapes of Hickory Nut Gorge. The new Overlook Walkway provides the perfect spot to stop and take in the scenery or snap a few photos to commemorate their visit. The open grassy fields and recreation facilities of Morse Park are a popular community gathering spot, drawing visitors and town residents alike. With a large paved parking lot, restrooms, airy gazebo, and plenty of level ground, Morse Park is an ideal location for athletic events, festivals, and other outdoor recreation activities.
The Town has installed a new seawall along the shoreline of the lake, with an improved viewing area and new hand railings to ensure visitor safety. In place of the original walkway, new pavers have been installed around the gazebo to provide a safe and level walking surface for all visitors. This project was completed as part of the Rutherford Bound initiative, with the Rutherford County TDA granting 143,750 towards the project, which was matched by the Town of Lake Lure.
The Town of Lake Lure and neighboring Chimney Rock Village have worked collaboratively on many projects to their mutual benefit. Chimney Rock Village Mayor Peter O'Leary offered his sincere appreciation for the park improvements and congratulations on a job well done.
Rutherford Bound is a county-wide tourism development plan to revitalize and enhance quality- of- life infrastructure across all of Rutherford County through streetscape enhancements, improved parks, and a system of greenways, trails, and river access points.
Already completed is the Morse Park Overlook Project. The new overlook is directly adjacent to the gazebo and provides park users the perfect location to take pictures, as it directly overlooks scenic Lake Lure.
The Lake Lure Town Center Walkway offers a scenic walk through the Town of Lake Lure. The new and improved walkway connects the Flowering Bridge down to the beach (and beyond!) and pavers have been laid in place of the original brick sidewalk. The project should be completed soon, just in time for visitors and residents to enjoy the sights and sounds of Spring in Lake Lure.
Visit the Lake Lure Town Center Walkway!
Dana Bradley, the Parks, Recreation, and Trails Coordinator for the Town of lake Lure, is excited to move forward with these projects.
Finally, the Buffalo Creek Park Trailhead is growing from a small, six-space parking lot into generous space for 54 parked vehicles. This project has been funded through the Rutherford County TDA, as well as contributions from Rumbling Bald Resort, the Town of Lake Lure, and proceeds from the Carolina Climbers Coalition’s annual “Rumble” bouldering competition. Currently, hikers visiting Buffalo Creek Park are forced to park on the side of the road when the lot fills. If all goes according to plans, this project should be completed by early summer 2022.
On behalf of the Town of Lake Lure, Rutherford Bound, and the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority, we would like to remind you about the Ribbon Cutting of the new Lake Lure Boardwalk and Washburn Marina this Friday. Completed in 2020, the new boardwalk now features a durable metal hand railing and walkway with non-slip tread. Connected to the boardwalk are the new boat slips and expanded marina, all built on a floating dock system. This event is a great opportunity to learn about these new improvements, as well as the Town’s plans for future projects.
You can watch the recorded event later that day on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RutherfordBound
The new Lake Lure Boardwalk is under construction! The new boardwalk will connect a new Marina with all parts of the Lake Lure Town Center.
Demolition of the existing boardwalk began in early January 2020. The new boardwalk and marina are being constructed off site and will be installed in May 2020.
Creatively connecting the Boardwalk to the new Marina will provide boaters, citizens, and tourists a safer pedestrian connection to the Lake Lure Beach and Town Center.
