Another question about Lake Lure (Welcome, Blowing Rock: home, wedding, camp)

[ctribucher]

Hello there.

DH and I would like to make a day trip up to Lake Lure to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Due to our limited budget, we can't stay overnight.

We enjoy hiking and would like to bring our dog with us (he likes it too, and then we won't have to worry about him being home alone all day while we're gone).

Are there any trails that do not allow leashed dogs that we should stay away from?

Also, are there any casual restaurants nearby that would allow a well behaved, 35 pound dog to join us for lunch and/or dinner on an outdoor patio?

TIA for any help you can provide.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by ctribucher

Hello there.

DH and I would like to make a day trip up to Lake Lure to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Due to our limited budget, we can't stay overnight.

We enjoy hiking and would like to bring our dog with us (he likes it too, and then we won't have to worry about him being home alone all day while we're gone).

Are there any trails that do not allow leashed dogs that we should stay away from?

Also, are there any casual restaurants nearby that would allow a well behaved, 35 pound dog to join us for lunch and/or dinner on an outdoor patio?

TIA for any help you can provide.

I hate to say it, but I don't think Lake Lure is the place you want to go.

The best, and really only, hiking in the area is at Chimney Rock, which is private and you have to pay a fee to hike. I could be wrong, but I do not think they would allow you to bring a dog. If you could leave the dog, Chimney Rock is a beautiful place and you could easily spend the whole day there.

If bringing the dog is really important to you I would suggest you go hike the backside trails of Grandfather Mountain instead. They are not heavily used and your dog would be fine to be off leash if he is well trained. You just have to stop at one of the little local shops to pick up a $5.00 permit to be on the property. The trails get you to some neat places and you would have a great time I;m sure. Afterwards, head over to Blowing Rock for a bite to eat - there is an outside place whose name escapes me that I think your dog would be allowed at. If you need more info on Grandfather let me know

[ctribucher]

^^^ Well, thanks for the info, loves! I'm a bit bummed by the news about Lake Lure, but we really do want to have our dog with us for the day. Maybe Grandfather Mountain is a better fit, but I thought I heard someplace that dogs are not allowed on trails over a certain altitude. Is that correct?

We are open to any other suggestions you and the others may have.

Maybe we could find a dog-friendly trail somewhere that has a waterfall? Those are my favorite - I find waterfalls so peaceful and a great place to dunk your feet to cool off!

Our dog would never be off leash - he's a beagle, and one whiff of a bunny and he'd take off running. But he's a great hiking partner and loves when we go exploring.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by ctribucher

^^^ Well, thanks for the info, loves! I'm a bit bummed by the news about Lake Lure, but we really do want to have our dog with us for the day. Maybe Grandfather Mountain is a better fit, but I thought I heard someplace that dogs are not allowed on trails over a certain altitude. Is that correct?

We are open to any other suggestions you and the others may have.

Maybe we could find a dog-friendly trail somewhere that has a waterfall? Those are my favorite - I find waterfalls so peaceful and a great place to dunk your feet to cool off!

Our dog would never be off leash - he's a beagle, and one whiff of a bunny and he'd take off running. But he's a great hiking partner and loves when we go exploring.

In this case, let me HIGHLY recommend to you one of my favorite hiking spots with a waterfall - Stone Mountain!

N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation: - Welcome to Stone Mountain State Park - your dog would be very welcome and you'd have a great time, I'm sure

Can't really think of any place you could take him with you to eat afterwards, but let me think on that

More pics for you: http://travel.webshots.com/album/280666243pBaSpJ

[ctribucher]

Stone Mountain looks gorgeous! I'm going to share this link w/my husband. Thanks so much, loves!

Google Maps tells me it is about 1 hour and 45 minutes from our house, which is perfect. We wanted to stay under 3 hours' drive one way.

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

In this case, let me HIGHLY recommend to you one of my favorite hiking spots with a waterfall - Stone Mountain!

N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation: - Welcome to Stone Mountain State Park - your dog would be very welcome and you'd have a great time, I'm sure

Can't really think of any place you could take him with you to eat afterwards, but let me think on that

More pics for you: Stone Mountain, NC. pictures from national parks photos on webshots

[CRock]

FYI: Chimney Rock State Park does allow pets on a leash. However there is an entry fee of $14 per person, so that may be a budget buster. Chimney Rock Park | North Carolina hiking trails with incredible mountain views

The park is opening a new trail off of Boys Camp Road. I was by there last week and it appeared to be open but and not for certain. It is free as far as I know. I just tried to call the office but they are closed. You might want to check tomorrow to confirm.

There is a new restaurant in the Arcade building @ Lake Lure called Alyssa's, it is very good and fairly reasonable. They have a patio and pets are allowed. Also in downtown Chimney Rock is The Old Rock Cafe which is owned by the park. They have very good food and a pet friendly patio.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by CRock

FYI: Chimney Rock State Park does allow pets on a leash. However there is an entry fee of $14 per person, so that may be a budget buster. Chimney Rock Park | North Carolina hiking trails with incredible mountain views

The park is opening a new trail off of Boys Camp Road. I was by there last week and it appeared to be open but and not for certain. It is free as far as I know. I just tried to call the office but they are closed. You might want to check tomorrow to confirm.

There is a new restaurant in the Arcade building @ Lake Lure called Alyssa's, it is very good and fairly reasonable. They have a patio and pets are allowed. Also in downtown Chimney Rock is The Old Rock Cafe which is owned by the park. They have very good food and a pet friendly patio.

So glad you posted - this is all great info