We were recently guests of Sapphire Valley Resort in North Carolina (see my Ski Sapphire Valley article!), which is located in Jackson County, home to the towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, Sylva, Balsam, Cullowhee, Glenville and Sapphire (and right next to beautiful Highlands).
With unblemished natural resources including the Great Smoky Mountains, crystal-clear lakes, tumbling rivers, and a trail of cascading waterfalls, these distinct western North Carolina mountain communities are an outdoor lovers’ dream destination. Hiking, rock climbing, rafting, fly fishing, waterfall excursions, golf and water sports encourage families and outdoor enthusiasts to “play on.” Amidst the wealth of natural wonders, some man-made treasures are emerging as the area enjoys a new wave of culinary and cultural attractions and seasonal events that elevate the experience even further. Sweet spots include chef-driven and locally-sourced restaurants, nationally acclaimed culinary talent, craft breweries, and a chocolatier that bring out the flavor of the area. For visitors, riverside or mountain-top, a wide selection of resorts, inns and vacation rental homes offer rooms with a view.
LOCATIONJackson County is a centrally located Southern mountain getaway that is an easy 2.5 – 3.5 hour drive from most major Southeast cities including Atlanta, Charlotte, Greenville, Knoxville and Chattanooga. Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, Sylva, Balsam, Cullowhee, Glenville and Sapphire are the distinct locales that make up Western North Carolina's Jackson County. Each of these Blue Ridge Mountain towns provides rich natural beauty that invites visitors to experience the idyllic North Carolina Mountains. Explore miles of hiking trails surrounded by unspoiled forests or discover the area’s shopping, dining, culture, and hometown atmosphere. Experience the thrill of river rafting and tubing or the more laid back adventures of fly fishing, boating, golf, or a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
ELEVATION
Jackson County reaches a height of 3,487 feet above sea level in the mountain resort village of Cashiers on the Cashiers/Highlands Plateau, and then follows the wild Tuckasegee River down through the authentic mountain towns of Cullowhee, Sylva, Dillsboro and Whittier at slightly lower elevations.
MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES
From the resort village of Cashiers to the authentic Smoky Mountain towns of Cherokee, Cullowhee, Dillsboro, and Sylva as you head north along the Tuckasegee River, each corner of Jackson County has its own personality and charm.
Cashiers: Multimillion dollar homes and quintessential log cabins co-exist happily here alongside a plethora of antique and interiors shops and restaurants. A thriving arts community is responsible for a number of festivals throughout the year.
Cherokee: Serving as the gateway to both the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherokee offers a variety of activity options to visitors. History buffs will enjoy learning about the Cherokee culture while golfers can hit the links at Sequoyah National Golf Club and anyone can win it big at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.
Cullowhee: Originally settled as a Cherokee village, Cullowhee is best known as the home of Western Carolina University, the fifth-oldest and one of the fastest growing campuses of the University of North Carolina system.
Dillsboro: Dillsboro is settled alongside the Tuckasegee River and is popular for its walkable main street and as a stopover on the way to the Great Smoky Mountains. "Dillsboro is the original home of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad", or "The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad runs through downtown Dillsboro.
This Easter- Get your face painted, hunt for eggs and even meet the Easter Bunny. Grab your hat and join in the fun during Dillsboro’s delightfully unpretentious annual Easter Hat Parade! April 4, 2015; 2 p.m.
Annual Easter Hat Parade in Dillsboro is April 4
Glenville: Once the largest town in Jackson County when it was incorporated in 1891, Glenville is now a popular lakeside community with many gorgeous homes dotting the shores of Lake Glenville, which was formed in 1941.
Sylva: The most photographed courthouse in the US, a quaint downtown, and a booming brew scene including Innovation Brewing and Heinzelmännchen Brewing, rated “One of the Top 10 American Brewery Tours” by Trip Advisor, give a distinct groove to this historic mountain town located just one mile away from its sister city Dillsboro.
VISIT WATERFALLS!
Directions to 19 different waterfalls are mapped out in Jackson County’s NC Mountain Vacation Guide, including the unusually beautiful Silver Run Falls, Whitewater Falls, which has an elevation of 411 feet, making it one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rockies, and Cashiers Sliding Rock, a popular place for kids of all ages to take a plunge and cool off during the summer months.
DRIVE THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
Jackson County is home to the final stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway - more than 40 miles of uncrowded scenic beauty. Gaze in wonderment as you enter the county amidst 6,000-foot peaks of the Balsam Mountains, and make sure to stop at the Richland Balsam overlook. With an elevation of 6,053 feet, it is the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
VISIT GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Whether you delight in the challenge of a strenuous hike to the crest of a mountain or prefer to sit quietly and watch the sun set, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a myriad of activities for you to enjoy. The hardest part may be choosing which auto tour, trail, waterfall, overlook, or historic area to explore!
ENJOY RAFTING AND WATERSPORTS
Swimming, sailing, water skiing, boating, tubing, whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing are all available in Jackson County. There are four whitewater rivers, the Tuckasegee, Chattooga, Oconaluftee and the nearby Nantahala, with difficulty ranging from Class I to Class VI.
TRY FLY FISHING
www.flyfishingtrail.com
Jackson County, North Carolina is home to the nation’s only fly fishing trail, which features some of the best trout waters anywhere. The Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail, created in 2009, maps out 15 prime spots to catch brown, rainbow and brook trout in the crystal-clear streams of the Great Smoky Mountains.
SHOP FOR POTTERY
Experience a whimsical mixture of functional stoneware pottery and one-of-a-kind raku hand built angels, saints and goddesses at Rabbit Creek Pottery, decorative and functional stoneware and porcelain; handmade beads and jewelry at Riverwood Pottery, or a gallery and working studio producing handmade, functional mugs, bowls & vases at Treehouse Pottery.
For everything you want to know about Jackson County and to plan a trip, visit the new website at www.MountainLoversNC.com or check out the FACEBOOK Page.
