Beaches near Asheville
Are you torn between a mountain getaway or a beach vacation? Well, you can have both right here in Western North Carolina. We have done the difficult part of visiting this beaches in the name of research. See our list of area beaches that you can go to for your beach fix while visiting Asheville.
Lake Lure Beach
At 26 miles away, Lake Lure is an easy and scenic drive from our inn. Lake Lure has been made famous from a number of hit movies. Firestarter, My Fellow American, A Breed Apart and of course, Dirty Dancing. It is a beautiful, picturesque lake that offers boat tours, fishing, kayaking and a swimming beach. There are changing rooms and bathrooms at the beach. There is also a beach house that sells towels, chairs, sunscreen, floats, toys, and more.
Note that there is an admission fee of $10 per person for beach access. That fee does also include admission to the water park.
Other places of interest nearby include the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge and Chimney Rock State Park. Make sure to cool off with a stop at Scoop Ice Cream. It is an old fashioned ice cream shop across from the beach. So many delicious choices from hand dipped ice cream, sundaes, floats, and our favorite, milkshakes topped with a giant scoop of ice cream.
Lake Powhatan Beach
This is the closest beach to Asheville and it is only 10 miles away. Although it is a small beach, it is located within Bent Creek Experimental Forest. Bent Creek is the oldest experimental forest in the East and it is comprised of over 6,000 acres. It is a popular spot for mountain biking and there are a variety of mountain bike trails for all skill levels. You will also find hiking trails and a fishing pier.
Note that there is a $4 day use fee per person.
Other sights of interest nearby include the North Carolina Arboretum, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Sierra Nevada Brewery.
Lake James Beach
This beach is located about 45 miles to the east of Asheville. It is open seasonally between May and September. Lake James State Park appeals to outdoor lovers for its swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, and biking. The lake is approximately 6,812 acres and surrounded by rolling hills. In the swim beach area, there is a bathhouse with changing facilities and some concessions.
Other places of interest include Fonta Flora Brewery at Whippoorwill Farm and one of our favorite hikes, Shortoff Mountain.
Lake Glenville Beach
Although Lake Glenville is 64 miles away from Asheville, it is another picturesque mountain beach with clear waters that is worth the drive. Besides the swimming beach, you will a fishing pier, bathrooms, a picnic area, and trail access to High Falls. We suggest you take the short, moderate one and a half mile roundtrip hike to this beautiful waterfall before hitting the beach.
Wildcat Lake Beach
This beach may be a farther drive being 76 miles away from Asheville but the location and setting is stunning. Wildcat Lake is approximately 13 acres and is located in Banner Elk. There is a white sand beach with two swimming areas, a swimming dock, and a bath house. It is open seasonally between May and September. There are also two fishing docks. What makes this beach unique from others is the higher elevation of 3700 feet. Be prepared for chilly water.
Other nearby places of interest are the town of Banner Elk (shops, artists, and restaurants). We suggest planning a stop at Linville Falls (the most photographed waterfall in North Carolina) or a stop at Grandfather Mountain State Park.
