Bear Lake Reserve — Our Story

Bear Lake Reserve is a community nestled deep in the heart of Mother Nature that offers the very best of mountain-lake living.

Located near Asheville, North Carolina, the property is a premier village where people come to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the world. It is steeped in values and tradition, and it's a great place to rejuvenate and connect with what matters most, whether you stay for a weekend, a season or a lifetime. Our story is all about family, mountains, lakes, and simple village living.

New Village. Old Ways.

Back in 1775, the colony of North Carolina took a stand and became the first to declare independence from Great Britain. It was the same spirit of independence and self-reliance that brought the early Scotch-Irish and German settlers into these mountains. The traditional mountain music, folk-life, arts, the culture and influences of the Cherokee Nation, and the Scotch-Irishheritage are what make the culture of this region pure and powerfully unique.

You can know Bear Lake now — the quaint mountain village which rests above the pristine waters of Bear Creek Lake. Mountain cottages. Golf. Late night s'mores with neighbors by the fire pit. Kid jumping one after the other off the pier into the crisp, cool atwer of the lake. It may seem hard to imagine now, but Bear Lake was once just a vision. A dream. A dream shared by few men and women, who realized they had walked into a place that was uncommonly precious. They peered into the untamed territory and recognized a certain miraculous power and grace. It was the ultimate destination for families. It was an oasis they could expand and share.

Just around the bend...

Bear Lake Reserve is a hub destination, conveniently located near major cities, national forests, and national parks. Whether you're looking for a metropolitan experience or want to discover some of the most breathtakingly beautiful natural gems in the US, Bear Lake Reserve has it all. Take a look at some of the surrounding communities:

Sylva

The Jackson County seat is located just minutes northwest of Bear Lake. You can stroll by the quaint shops along Main Street of this all-American town, or climb all 107 steps to the front door of the historic Jackson County Courthouse. you may recognize Sylva from the 2018 Oscar-nominated film "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri." Whether you're a film buff or a just need dose of small town charm, Sylva is a great place to visit.

Cashiers & Highlands

Cashiers & Highlands are located high on a plateau in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the southern end of Jackson County. Boasting seem of the highest elevations east of the Mississippi, the unique geography and temperate rain forest combine to create hundreds of waterfalls, quiet lakes and mountain vistas unmatched in the region. With four distinct seasons but only moderate temperature swings, the area sports a thriving tourist business — the population swells from 3,000 to 30,000 between May and October each year.

Cullowhee

Cullowhee is nestled against the Tuckasegee River and was originally a Cherokee Nation village. When European settlers moved to the area, Cullowhee became one of the first settlements in what is now Jackson County, and was said to have established the first school in the area. Today, Cullowhee is home to Western North Carolina University, with more than 11,000 students and a thriving athletics department, of which Bear Lake Reserve is a proud sponsor.

Welcome Home.

Bear Lake Reserve boasts the rugged and refined local mountain-lake village lifestyle. With supreme mountain views and pristine waters, our livable mountains are the hidden gem and pride of Western North Carolina. When you turn onto Shook Cove Road, you're hooked. You follow the road through lush, green meadow and through rolling hills as you climb upandup and up the mountain until you reach the end of the road and enter one of the happiest places around. You exhale. Your shoulders relax fully for the first time since your last visit. Your grip softens on the wheel. Even the dog relaxes! There's a common feeling in the car: "we're home."