Ultimate Guide to Jackson County, NC: Expert Tips & Insider Insights for an Unforgettable Adventure

Ultimate Guide to Jackson County, NC: Expert Tips & Insider Insights for an Unforgettable Adventure

Craft your perfect summer getaway to our Western North Carolina mountains! Book your stay at a boutique hotel, bed & breakfast, resort, or vacation rental today and get ready to pack in the seasonal fun with these activities below: Outdoor Concerts Free outdoor concerts abound in our towns. Check out this year’s schedules for Concerts on the Creek in Sylva and Groovin’ on the Green in Cashiers, and plan your trip accordingly. Bring along a chair or blanket and sit back, relax and take in the sounds of summer. Ale Trail Refreshing beers and warm weather just make sense. Take a tour of our Brewery Trail by visiting a selection of walkable breweries throughout Sylva and Dillsboro, and then head over to Cashiers to unwind at Whiteside Brewing Co., which also hosts live music on weekends. Waterfall Chasing Cool off at any of our breathtaking waterfalls, including Silver Run Falls and Cashiers Sliding Rock – a favorite attraction for families. Don’t miss the spectacular views of Whitewater Falls, the tallest fall east of the Mississippi River. To see multiple waterfalls in one fell swoop, book a boat ride with Captain Mark’s Scenic Boat Tours and cruise along Lake Glenville on a comfortable pontoon yacht while he guides the boat and points out some spectacular cascades. Al Fresco Dining  Experience fresh flavors while enjoying the cool, mountain air at a variety of outdoor spaces and restaurant patios throughout our county. At some, you can even bring your pooch! Choose from cafes […]

Best Time & Places to See Breathtaking Flora in Jackson County, NC: A Guide for Nature Lovers

Best Time & Places to See Breathtaking Flora in Jackson County, NC: A Guide for Nature Lovers

Ideally situated in the Western North Carolina mountains, Jackson County is home to rare and endangered species, colorful wildflowers and towering trees. In fact, the destination has one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the temperate world due to its elevation of 875 – 6,410 feet above sea level. With more than 1,500 species of flowering plants spread across 494 square miles of spectacular landscape, there is endless opportunity to encounter the season’s most picturesque blooms in Jackson County. We invite you to grab your hiking boots, immerse yourself in nature and discover the spectacular flora that comes alive in the spring, including: Rhododendron (March-June) — a stunning, evergreen shrub that is known for its brilliant blooms that range in color from pure white to deep red and purple. One of the best places to find this iconic flowering plant (and see 2023 Pantone Color of the Year Viva Magenta in nature) is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,which is home to a wide variety of Rhododendron species, including the Pinxter, Catawba and Carolina. In particular, the Oconaluftee River Trail, Mingus Creek Trail, and the Clingmans Dome Trail are popular areas to see Rhododendron in bloom during the spring and early summer. Dutchman’s Breeches (March-May) – this wildflower is known for its delicate, fern-like leaves and unique, pantaloon-shaped flowers that resemble tiny pairs of breeches hanging upside down from a clothesline. Dutchman’s Breeches prefers moist, shady habitats, and can often be found growing in the understory of deciduous forests and […]

Outhouse Races & more winter activities at Sapphire Valley Resort

people having fun and watching the outhouse races in jackson county

Outhouse Races & more winter activities at Sapphire Valley Resort

In Jackson County, hilarity ensues during our annual Outhouse Races at Sapphire Valley Resort. Come for the races and stay to hit the slopes and enjoy some great dining, too! Off-Beat & Oh, So Fun The Sapphire Valley Outhouse Races is as quirky as it gets and it’s just the way it sounds. Homemade outhouses are secured to a pair of skis and pushed down a 120-foot, snow-blanketed racecourse by two team members while a third member sits inside. Taking place annually over President’s Day Weekend, (this year on February 18), the Outhouse Races are fun for all. Dozens of teams return each year to compete by using a variety of materials like wood, cardboard and plastic and other handmade items to construct their ‘thrones’. Each outhouse is uniquely decorated and appropriately named like “The Royal Flush,” and to add to the fun, team members and spectators are always encouraged to wear crazy outfits and incorporate themes! Skiing, Snowboarding & Tubing While at Sapphire Valley, don’t miss out on your chance to ski or snowboard! The resort is home to a 1600-foot run, a chair lift, and an introductory slope with a moving carpet, making it ideal for first timers and beginner skiers. Unlike most crowded ski resorts, lift lines here are short, and there’s even an on-site learning center with certified instructors who can teach the fundamentals. Don’t worry about bringing gear either because you can rent everything you need from skis and boots to poles and snowboards.  There’s also a […]

Relax & Recharge in the NC Mountains

Relax & Recharge in the NC Mountains

Often, we find ourselves needing a break after the holiday chaos and January happens to be a perfect time to plan a getaway. Kick off the New Year on the right foot and find solitude far, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Take in Yours Surroundings, Uninterrupted Here, we trade traffic for trees. Jackson County takes up nearly 500 square miles of Western North Carolina in which are overflowing (pun intended) with waterfalls, beautiful trails, and of course, breathtaking mountain views. For hikers on the hunt for a scenic overlook via a worthwhile trek, be sure to add our more advanced trails like Yellow Mountain or Panthertown Valley, comprised of more than 6,311 acres of rugged backcountry, to your itinerary. If you seek something easier and family-friendly, Waterrock Knob or Black Balsam are great options. And then there’s accessible and paved paths like the Tuckasegee River Greenway, which are ideal for a leisurely stroll on a beautiful day. We’ve got something for everyone, and you’ll find more on these hikes and all our best trails here. For a one-of-a-kind meditative experience in nature, don’t miss out on a therapy tour of the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, aka “forest bathing,” led by Dr. Mark Ellison at Pinnacle Park, which just recently became the first Certified Forest Therapy Trail in the state of North Carolina. Dr. Ellison has led hundreds of these tours, and each time he guides his participants to spend intentional time in nature through the senses, […]

Why You Should Visit Jackson County, NC During Secret Season

Why You Should Visit Jackson County, NC During Secret Season

We all vacation in hopes to find a secret escape where we can experience our own little piece of paradise that is away from the large crowds. During the winter to early-spring months, the Western NC mountain towns of Jackson County, NC offer just that! Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro and Sylva come alive during this ‘secret season’, offering visitors a wide array of hidden benefits to traveling during this less crowded and more affordable time of year.

Find Your Perfect Holiday Centerpiece: Choose and Cut Guide to Jackson County

family with their dog picking out the perfect Christmas tree in jackson county

Find Your Perfect Holiday Centerpiece: Choose and Cut Guide to Jackson County

The return of the holiday season means reminiscing on years past, spending time with loved ones and sharing in traditions that are carried on through generations of families year-after-year. One such tradition that we enjoy being a part of in Jackson County is to choose and cut your own Christmas tree. Thanks to our county’s elevation, location, quality soil conditions and abundant rainfall, the county is perfectly situated for growing beautiful Christmas trees. In fact, genetics show our trees are the fastest-growing, most aesthetically pleasing trees in the region. As a result, Jackson County is home to many locally and family-owned Christmas tree farms offering a gorgeous selection of these holiday decoration centerpieces.