Is the Flowering Bridge in Lake Lure still open?

The bridge itself was demolished, with demolition beginning in August 2025. The gardens on the east and west banks of the Rocky Broad River remain open to visitors.

Will the Flowering Bridge be rebuilt?

As of the organization's own FAQ page, a replacement was under discussion but not committed, funded, or scheduled. Check the Flowering Bridge website for current status.

Hurricane Helene flood damage near the Flowering Bridge in Lake Lure, NC, photographed May 25, 2025

The Flowering Bridge Is Gone, but the Gardens Are Still Open — and Free

Photo: Bill McMannis / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 · May 25, 2025

If you search for the Flowering Bridge, you'll find a lot of pages that describe it as a walkable garden bridge over the Rocky Broad River in the middle of Lake Lure. That description is out of date.

What Happened

The organization that runs the site states plainly that the bridge is gone: Demolished — demolition began August 18, 2025. A replacement is not a settled matter either. According to the same source, the status is Under discussion — not committed, not funded, not scheduled.

What's Still There

The gardens are separate from the bridge, and they have stayed open. Per the organization's FAQ, they are Open free, 24 hours a day, year-round.

The address it gives is 3070 Memorial Hwy, Lake Lure, NC — east and west banks of the Rocky Broad River.

So you can still walk the plantings on either bank, just without the bridge connecting them. Photos and descriptions online often predate the storm, so expect the place to look different from what you've seen.

Making the Stop Work

It costs nothing, and it isn't tied to opening hours. That makes it an easy fit for the gaps in a day, such as the stretch before a dinner reservation or a morning when other things haven't opened yet.
It's a good off-season stop. The Town's beach is closed outside summer, but the gardens aren't on a seasonal schedule. Our off-season guide lists what else stays available.
Check the garden organization's site before you go. The status of a recovering site can change, and the people who maintain it will know first.

More Around Lake Lure

Insider TipsVisiting After HeleneWhat reopened, what didn't, and what to double-check.Insider TipsLake Lure in the Off-SeasonWhat's worth doing from fall through spring.Lake LureLake LureThe lake, the town, and what to do there.Insider TipsAll Insider TipsMore non-obvious advice for Lake Lure and Chimney Rock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Flowering Bridge in Lake Lure still open?: The bridge itself was demolished, with demolition beginning in August 2025. The gardens on the east and west banks of the Rocky Broad River remain open to visitors.
Will the Flowering Bridge be rebuilt?: As of the organization's own FAQ page, a replacement was under discussion but not committed, funded, or scheduled. Check the Flowering Bridge website for current status.

Last updated: 2026-10-16