9 Gated Communities Near Asheville, North Carolina

Gorgeous picture of downtown Asheville with sun setting over the blue ridge mountains of western North Carolina in the background.

The Asheville area is full of gated communities ranged from the more low-key to the opulent. We've compiled a list of some of the more exclusive and more popular. Tell us what you're looking for in one of the forms on this page and we'll help you sort through noise to find the perfect gated neighborhood and home.

The area provides residents access to the arts, social events, and countless hiking trails to take in the beautiful North Carolina Mountains.

This is not an exhaustive list but touches on a few of the largest and most popular gated communities in what would be considered the Asheville area. Once we have a better idea of your unique interests, we can look at the whole suite of options to find the best for you.

Living in Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville, North Carolina, is a popular spot, surrounded by the famed Blue Ridge Mountains and well known by foodies, outdoor enthusiasts, and beer lovers. Perched amongst 500,000 acres of state and national parks, the possibilities for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities are boundless.

While some may love the weird downtown vibe and countless breweries, other may prefer being a little further away in one of the many small towns in the "Asheville Area". Whichever combination you're looking for will determine the best area for you.

Here are a few to get you started thinking about what's out there:

Southcliff

Asheville, NC

Southcliff is in a great location on the southeastern side of Asheville. This area of Asheville hasn't grown as quickly as the southwestern side so you can still feel like you're away from it all, but you're 15 minutes from downtown with little traffic. This neighborhood provides homeowners a unique combination of solitude and outdoor enjoyment, surrounded by outstanding mountain vistas.

Southcliff Amenities

One of Southcliff's distinguishing attractions is the use of 175 acres of green space. The developers of Southcliff Asheville focused on creating low-key but elegant amenities that utilize the beautiful outdoors and created spaces for people to get together like the six miles of hiking trails, five community parks, and a family campground.

Homes for sale in Southcliff

Homes in Southcliff typically range from just under 1 to 2 million. See homes for sale in Southcliff.

The Ramble Biltmore Forest

The Ramble Biltmore Forest

Biltmore Forest, NC

The Ramble at Biltmore Forest is in the small Biltmore Forest enclave in south Asheville. Tucked away in the forest just off Hendersonville Rd, The Ramble is about as good as it gets if you want to be close to all the Asheville action but secluded in a forest setting.

The Ramble at Biltmore Forest Amenities

Residents enjoy a unique combination of solitude and access to on-site facilities, including a clubhouse, a fitness facility, hiking trails, a swimming pool, tennis, and pickleball courts.

Homes for sale at The Ramble

The Ramble is a high-end community so you can expect to spend at least a couple of million, but that can grow to over ten. It's also highly sought after, so it's best to start looking for the perfect home now.

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove

Arden, NC

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove is a gated community on the southwest side of Asheville with a ton of amenities for members and guests. The community is tucked in a bowl just below the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove Amenities

Walnut Cove offers residents a variety of on-site amenities such as a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, biking trails, a clubhouse, dining options, a fitness center, community gardening, hiking trails, a spa, a swimming pool, pickleball, and tennis.

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, with its outstanding facilities, and recreational possibilities, is the ideal location to call home for anybody who wants to do all their activities behind the gates.

Homes for Sale in Walnut Cove

Walnut Cove is another high-end community. You can easily spend $2-10 million on a home, but townhomes and condos are also available. See homes for sale in Walnut Cove.

Western North Carolina golf community Balsam Mountain Preserve. Beautiful mountain golf course in the private mountain community Balsam Mountain Preserve.

Balsam Mountain Preserve

Sylva, NC

West of Asheville by about 45 minutes is Balsam Mountain Preserve between Waynesville and Sylva. This is a high-end low-density community stretched across 4,400 acres of nature preserve.

Balsam Mountain Preserve Amenities

The Arnold Palmer Signature golf course at Balsam Mountain Preserve is a notable attraction, nestled against the background of the Blue Ridge Mountains and noted for its challenging topography and breathtaking views.

The clubhouse is the ideal spot to unwind in the evening, with various eating options, a bar, and a lounge area with magnificent views.

The community has 42 miles of hiking trails and features multiple streams, waterfalls, and a class-A trout stream complete with a campground. There's an equestrian facility that provides riding lessons, trails, stables, and a live-in equestrian manager.

Homes for Sale in Balsam Mountain Preserve

Prices in this community have jumped over the past couple of years, and new construction takes a while but if you're fortunate enough to find the right home. Expect to spend 3 million or more on a custom home or 2m plus for a golf cottage. See homes for sale in Balsam Mountain Preserve here.

French Broad Crossing

Marshall, NC

Somewhat unique to the list French Broad Crossing is along the French Broad River north of Asheville in the small town of Marshall.

French Broad Crossing Amenities

The primary amenity is the access to the French Broad River and activities like kayaking, fishing or just being outside by the water.

There is a well-equipped fitness center with a swimming pool and a lodge for community parties.

Homes for sale in French Broad Crossing

Homes in French Broad Crossing typically range from 1-3 million. See French Broad Crossing for sale here.

Mountain Air

Burnsville, NC

Mountain Air is another unique community to the list as the only fly-in community. Perched along the mountain ridge at the community's top is a runway for owners to pop in and out in their smaller prop planes.

Mountain Air also offers some of the most expansive views of the blue ridge mountains you'll find.

Mountain Air Amenities

The community also has a beautiful golf course draping over the top of the mountain, providing excellent views and some dramatic tee shots.

Mountain Air was built to be a generational community with activities and amenities planned for the whole family. They have a beautiful lodge with dining, a heated outdoor pool, racquet sports, a nature center with miles of hiking trails, a general store, and movie theatre.

Homes for Sale in Mountain Air

If you decide on Mountain Air, there are options in properties from condominiums to large estate homes. See Homes for sale at Mountain Air.

5th hole Champion Hills Golf Club Hendersonville NC

Champion Hills

Hendersonville, NC

Champion Hills is about 45 minutes south of Asheville on the southwest of Hendersonville, NC.

Champion Hills Amenities

A Tom Fazio golf course is the centerpiece of the community which also includes a clubhouse with dining, a pub, tennis, and pickleball.

Homes for sale Champion Hills

Champion Hills is one of the few golf communities in the area where you can still get a home for under 1 million dollars. See homes for sale in Champion Hills.

Grand Highlands

Hendersonville, NC

Grand Highlands, roughly 30 minutes from Asheville, is a gated mountain top community with long-range views to the south, facing Hendersonville. If you don't mind driving a little further to get to the grocery store Grand Highlands has a beautiful setting.

Grand Highlands Amenities

Clubhouse with a self-service pub a large dining room for community functions, a fitness center, and a game room.

Homes for sale in Grand Higlands

Homes for sale in Grand Highlands typically fall in the 1-3 million range, and homesites are available for custom homes.

Contact Us

We just scratched the surface of gated communities in the Asheville area. If you are in the market for a luxury home in Asheville, reach out through the contact form below, and we'll help find the best place for you.