The Coves Mountain River Club

Wouldn’t it be nice to live in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains without the worry of harsh winter weather? Living in the foothills provides the best of both worlds. Surrounded by a variety of charming small mountain towns, The Coves Mountain River Club has the unique combination of stellar long range mountain views and five miles of river frontage along the Johns River which originates at Grandfather Mountain. Of all the North Carolina mountain communities we’ve seen, we continue to be impressed with their mix of outdoor amenities, mountain homes and social activities connecting residents together. 

The 3,600 acre mountain and river community has plenty to offer. Amenities include a mountaintop lodge with a infinity-view saline swimming pool, hot tub, well appointed fitness center, a full service equestrian center,  39 miles of hiking and horse trails, four waterfalls and community parks and two community gardens. HOA fees are impressively low at around $1,000 per year. 

As one of the only equestrian communities in the area, residents enjoy an endless array of fun and friendly activities at the barn bordering the Johns River. Water sports include kayaking, paddle boarding and tubing. An avid fisherman who appreciates North Carolina fly fishing has not only the Johns River to cast a line but has Wilson Creek, one of the best trout fishing streams in North Carolina. Wilson Creek is named by Congress as a National Wild & Scenic River and is just 10 minutes from The Coves entrance. The park has several waterfalls, hiking and mountain biking trails and plenty of places to enjoy a picnic lunch.

Pisgah Mountain Lodge at the community’s summit has breathtaking views of Grandfather Mountain, Table Rock and at nighttime, the twinkling lights of Blowing Rock. The outdoor veranda wraps all the way around the lodge. Residents have front row seats at the outdoor seating area and cozy fire pit to view unforgettable sunsets and count millions of stars.

Within the two story lodge, the great room with vaulted ceilings has a modern kitchen and bar area as well as a lending library, billiard room and a game room. The fitness center on the lower level has cardio and strength training equipment. Weekly yoga on the mountain’s edge is one of the many wellness activities available. 

THE COVES MOUNTAIN RIVER CLUB AMENITIES

• Gated Entrance 
• 6,000 Square Foot Mountaintop Lodge with wrap around veranda
• Infinity-view Saline Swimming Pool & Hot Tub
• Modern Fitness Center
• Equestrian Center
• 20 Miles of Hiking & Horse Trails
• Four Waterfalls and Community Parks
• Two Community Gardens
• Five Miles of River Frontage on the Johns River

Horse owners and those who plan to ride will enjoy living here because of the mild four season weather and mix of topography. With over 20 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding and wildlife-viewing, residents never need to leave the neighborhood for a day of fun. We’re confident you’ll be hard pressed to find equestrian communities like The Coves bordering a beautiful river.

Isabel’s Garden and Evelyn’s Vineyard are two active community gardens adjacent to the ranch. Fresh tomatoes, radishes,  herbs, and flowers heartily grow in the garden. The young vineyard produced its first season of white and red muscadine grapes. This is also where you’ll find Coves River Park, a riverfront outdoor pavilion, barbecue area, fire pit and game courts. Waterfall Park, home to Penelope Cascading Falls, is just across the way and is one of four waterfalls at The Coves.

The community is always bustling with activity. Four times a year, they come together for Cook-off competitions. Their Artist in Residence program features local talent such as Charlie Frye who is commissioned to paint two Quilt Blocks for the Round Mountain Barn which will be unveiled this year. Their Guest Lecture series includes North Carolina fly fishing and hiking guides, gardeners and historians.

The Coves Mountain River Club has all types of homesites to choose from such us mountaintop lots with panoramic views, riverfront property, pastural views or private wooded estates. Lots range from 1 to 3 acres or larger estates of 5-30 acres are available. Homesites begin around $60k and reach over $200k. Mountain Living Builders, Moss Marlow, Shaw and Monogram are the community’s preferred home builders. Approximately 70 homes have been built to date. 

For nightlife or a great place to eat, the towns of Lenoir, Hickory and Morganton offer a variety of options and Blowing Rock is only 30 minutes adding more. Blowing Rock is where you’ll find the Tanger Outlet Mall for brand label shopping. You can always find a mountain festival or live music not far from home. Boomers who’d like to pursue lifelong learning will find Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute has an impressive selection of non-degree courses. 

For medical care, the nearby Caldwell UNC Health Care provides several clinics and services as well as a traditional hospital in Lenoir. The closest and best schools to The Coves Mountain River Club are Lower Creek Elementary, William Lenoir Middle School, Hibriten High School and Hickory Christian Academy.