The Overlook at Lake Lure, North Carolina

04/10/2026

LAND OF OZ IS COMING BACK FOR 2026!
Closed since Hurricane Helene, Land of Oz in Beech Mountain is planning its comeback for 2026! Details are still in the works, and tickets aren’t up for sale just yet, but here’s what they’ve said in an announcement on their page …

“Please understand that the event and Oz are working hard to bring you back as quickly and safely as possible. As the teasers indicate: Please stay tuned, plans do exist for a season this year, announcements of what that will look like come from the marketing team, not any other team. Please understand and don't speculate. We will share the information once we know more.”

Land of Oz, a one-of-a-kind interactive theme park nestled in the mountains of Beech Mountain, North Carolina is a seasonal attraction, typically open select weekends in September and October, offering an immersive experience with its yellow brick road, Munchkinland, and Emerald City. With a rich history dating back to 1970, Land of Oz was revived for special event periods, including its super popular annual Autumn at Oz Festival, one of the world's largest Oz events.

The Land of Oz theme park was fortunate, sustaining only minor damage from fallen trees during Hurricane Helene's impact on North Carolina, but it was a stark reminder of the critical importance of long-term sustainability and preparedness. With that in mind, they made the difficult decision to place Autumn at Oz on pause for 2025 in order to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the event and the park itself, with the goal to reopen in 2026, after a thorough evaluation of key aspects of Autumn at Oz, including guest experience, operations, infrastructure, and overall event sustainability, allowing them to make thoughtful decisions that protect the magic of the event.

👉 Stay tuned, and join their newsletter to be the first to know when announcements are made about their re-opening and what changes they have in store HERE: https://landofoznc.com/

02/22/2026

Lake Lure's Disc Golf Course Updates: The Lake Lure Green Space is now home to a fun and challenging 9-hole disc golf course designed for players of all skill levels — from beginners trying the sport for the first time to experienced competitors. The course is located at 658 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, NC 28746.

This temporary course was made possible through a partnership between the Lake Lure Parks, Recreation, & Lake Department; Jay McCarthy of Disc Golf Design Group; the Western North Carolina Disc Golf Association; and Dan Bragdon of Camp Lurecrest.
Course Details
• 9 holes in a mostly open layout
• Three tee pad options to match your skill level:
• Red – Beginner
• White – Intermediate
• Blue – Advanced/Pro

Please Share the Space: The Lake Lure Green Space is a multi-use area enjoyed by many members of our community.

For everyone’s safety:
• Yield to pedestrians at all times
• Only throw when the area is clear
• Be courteous and respectful of other users

We hope you enjoy this exciting new recreational opportunity in Lake Lure. Grab your discs and come play!
You may download the map at the following link: https://www.townoflakelure.com/community/page/lake-lures-disc-golf-course

RULES:
• The Lake Lure Green Space is a multi-use space. Please, yield to pedestrians and only throw discs when the area is clear.
• The Green Space is open to walking and biking only. No golf carts, ATV’s, or other vehicles allowed.
• Pets must be kept on a leash at all times.

Have fun and enjoy your time on the Lake Lure Green Space.
Questions: Please send any questions to [email protected]

01/05/2026

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from Chimney Rock State Park! We hope you have a wonderful day with your loved ones.

Reminder that the Park will be closed today so that our staff can spend the day with their families. We will be open the remainder of the week, the Ticket Plaza is open 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, and guests can hike until 6:00 pm.

12/08/2025

Only in the Foothills can you catch Santa one last time practicing for Christmas Eve — rappelling down a 315-foot monolith!🎅🧗‍♂️✨

If you missed the first descent (or just want to see it again), don’t miss the final day of the 28th Annual Santa on the Chimney on December 13th (11 AM–2 PM) at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park!

Enjoy photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, holiday crafts, live music, hikes with an elf, animal encounters, and festive fun for the whole family — all included with park admission!

It’s a beloved Western North Carolina tradition and your last chance to see Santa take the plunge this year! 🎄✨

07/01/2025

06/30/2025

06/27/2025

Today is a milestone for WNC with the reopening of Chimney Rock State Park, nine months after Hurricane Helene.

After so much heartbreak and loss, so much courage and strength, so much hard work and community, today we can celebrate that visitors are invited back to enjoy the natural beauty of Chimney Rock.

Please note that, for the time being, reservations are required.

Conserving Carolina is proud to have played a role in the creation of Chimney Rock State Park, helping to add over 2,100 acres to the park, including the stunning World's Edge. We have also protected thousands of acres adjoining the park, with the goal of creating 2,650+ acres of public land north of Rumbling Bald.

It is a joy to see this spectacular state park open to the public once again.

Congratulations, Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park!

Photo: NC Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources

06/24/2025

06/06/2025

We’ve got some exciting news… we’re back!

After exactly nine months of recovery since Hurricane Helene, Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is officially reopening to the public on Friday, June 27.

Thank you for all your love and support during our closure. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this reopening possible. It’s been a long road, but we’re excited to have you back on the trails with us soon.

🎫 HEADS UP: Reservations will be required for all guests, including Annual Passholders. Initially, we’ll be open Friday–Monday and space will be limited as we get back up and running. Reservations go live in the coming weeks at chimneyrockpark.com.

Follow us for more important travel updates and info to help plan your visit. We’ve missed you and can’t wait to see you soon!

05/10/2025

Plan your Memorial Day weekend getaway in the mountains! 🇺🇸 Click for things to do ➡️ bit.ly/4kcveAw