Weekender

WEEKENDER Community Around the Embers

Ex-Charlottean Tim Murphy’s resort makes nature comfortable for everyone

BY VIRGINIA BROWN

EMBERGLOW OUTDOOR RESORT allows anyone, from camping enthusiasts to novices, to explore nature in more comfort than traditional camping. (Most units have indoor bathrooms, in other words.) Near Lake Lure, Emberglow is roughly a two-hour drive from Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina, Asheville, and Charlotte—one reason owner Tim Murphy and his business partner committed to the spot. From Charlotte, take U.S. Highway 74 west and exit at Pea Ridge Road, right by the sprawling bu alo farm. Murphy, a Cleveland native who moved to Charlotte in 2005, le the Queen City with his wife and four kids, ages 6 and under, in 2019 to commit fully to life in the Blue Ridge foothills. He wanted to o er families like his outdoor adventures with a sense of community: great conversations by the camp re, kids making friends with other campsite kids, and the freedom to explore.

Guests can choose from a range of lodging options: yurts, tiny homes, pods, treehouses, RV campers, shiny restored vintage campers, and no-frills tent sites equipped only with freestanding water hydrants—53 sites in all. Glamping (“glamorous camping”) pods accommodate two and have heating and air conditioning, a bathrooms, and a kitchenettes. (Note: The glamping pods are quite small and not for the mildly claustrophobic.) The treehouses are like something out of Swiss Family Robinson, with o -kilter windows, a slide from the second oor to the ground, a wild oak that bursts through the elevated front deck, and cargo nets that connect lo ed sleep spaces. Murphy wants to appeal to multiple generations, too. That’s in part why he has purchased, refurbished, and pristinely out tted seven vintage campers—like the “Canned Ham” camper, a classic of the 1950s; and Boles-Aero Trailers, with shiny aluminum exteriors and beautifully cra ed birch interiors. The primitive tent sites run $60 for a two-night stay, while the large, luxury vintage campers run from $204 to $282 for two nights. Campers can enjoy musical acts on the site’s stage and movies on the lawn, as well as the resort-quality pool, sand volleyball court, nature trails, a dog park, and stories at the community re pit. “Sitting around a re, those embers get really hot—that’s when the best conversations are had,” Murphy says. “But you don’t just light the re and instantly have embers. It takes time to develop.”

For more information and to book a stay, visit emberglowoutdoorresort.com.

OUTSIDE EMBERGLOW

Emberglow is just minutes from Chimney Rock State Park and the sandy beaches of Lake Lure. Don’t miss these spots when you venture o site.

STAY

Stay a night or two at The

Esmeralda Inn & Restaurant,

a historic lodge that’s hosted authors and movie stars, including Clark Gable. The Hickory Nut Gorge area became a popular spot to lm silent movie stars, and several silent lms were actually lmed on the site. For a Kellerman’s-style experience a la Dirty Dancing (which was lmed in the Lake Lure area), reserve a room or condo at the sprawling, family-friendly

Rumbling Bald Resort.

DO

For a quick cup of joe, pop over to Carolina Moon Co ee to start the day and take a signature Lake Lure or Chimney Rock blend home to family or friends. Then head to Chimney Rock State Park and explore some of the state’s best hiking trails, vista views, and waterfalls. Or take a hike to the top of Chimney Rock for a 360-degree panorama of the Blue Ridge foothills.

EAT

Even if you didn’t snag a room at The Esmeralda, stop by for a quick lunch outside on the patio—The Chef’s Table restaurant o ers great views of Chimney Rock from below—or elevate the experience with dinner and special wine pairings from the mind of Chef Keith Chinn inside. (If you go on Wednesdays, wine is half o .) Traveling with a group? Cooking classes are available. Other options include waterfront Legends on the Lake and the popular The Veranda Restaurant at

1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa.