Activities + Attractions
The Lake Club + Water Activities
Luckily The Lookout is only a few minute's drive from the Bear Lake Reserve Lake Club. Access to the pools, fitness center, hot tubs, and dining at the Club is included for all renters. Towels are also supplied at the boutique.
You will find 3 dining options at the Club including Paddlebacks, Lakeside 54, and the Taproom Bar & Grill.
For a fun day boating, paddleboarding, or kayaking on the lake, contact the Bear Lake Reserve Marina and Boathouse
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The Great Outdoors: Hiking, Fishing, Disc Golf, and Campfires
We love the hikes at Bear Creek Park and the Greeter's Cottage Loop. More information can be found here.
Head to Mill Pond to fish in the stocked ponds or start your round of disc golf at the Greeter's cottage!
You will find community firepits, stocked with firewood, by the Lake Club, Greeter's cottage, Overlook, and Bear Creek park.
Visit the Overlook to enjoy gorgeous sunset views while roasting s'mores at the community fireplace and pavillion. We recommend you bring matches, firestarters, s'mores supplies (sticks located in our kitchen) and bug spray.
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Golf, Tennis, & Pickleball
Bear Lake Reserve is home to a 9-hole mountain golf course crafted by world-renowned Nicklaus Design®.
Tennis and Pickleball are also a short walk from the course.
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Dining
Visit nearby towns Dillsboro, Sylva, Cashiers, and Highlands for some of our favorite dining spots, some listed below:
Haywood Smokehouse- Dillsboro, Franklin & Waynesville
Forager's Cantina- Dillsboro
Innovation Brewery- Sylva & Dillsboro
Whiteside Brewing- Cashiers
The Wine Bar & Cellar- Sylva
Cornucopia - Cashiers
Canyon Kitchen- Lonesome Valley, Cashiers
ILDA- Sylva
Attractions
Waterfalls / Hiking- There are too many spots to name, so we've included a few highlights below:
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Dry Falls - Located near Highlands. Walk on a boardwalk and then onto a rock path behind the waterfall
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Silver Run falls - Located near Cashiers / Sapphire. Walk on a path to wooden stairs down to scenic overlook. It's a huge, loud waterfall so you will hear it before you see it!
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High Falls - Located near Glenville. The 3/4-mile trail descends 650 ft. in elevation via many flights of stairs, many made of stone. So, be ready for going up and down a lot of steps. It's a strenuous hike back up.
The Great Smoky Mountain Railway offers a variety of train tours leaving from Bryson City, including the Polar Express during the Holidays.
Western North Carolina has some of the best Fly Fishing (and trout) in the Southeast.
Gem Mining- Kids will enjoy mining for gems at one of the many gem mining locations in the area.
American Museum of the House Cat- If you love cats, or you're looking for a random kitschy tourist spot (think: World's biggest ball of yarn), this is a perfect stop near Sylva.
In the summer months, try cooling off by Tubing on the Tuckasegee river.
If you're visiting in fall or early Spring, view the legendary Shadow of the Bear near Cashiers.
During the winter, tubing and skiing are within 90 min, including the Cataloochee Ski area in Maggie Valley and Frozen Falls Tube Park at Sapphire Valley.
Visit Dillsboro to find the wreckage from the filming of The Fugitive. Hint: Eat at Haywood Smokehouse to see signed photos of Harrison Ford. Rumor is, Haywood was his favorite spot when filming.
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