Our Top 5 Trails to Explore during the NC Year of the Trail

Our Top 5 Trails to Explore during the NC Year of the Trail
Lace up those hiking boots because in honor of 2023 being the NC Year of the Trail, we’re highlighting our top trails to explore during each season in Jackson County. WINTER – Schoolhouse Falls Based in Panthertown Valley, this is one of our most beautiful waterfalls, and it’s definitely something to see when its frozen. While the navigation to it isn’t the easiest, nature’s beautiful display is well worth the effort. Just make sure you grab a map at one of our Visitor Centers before you hit the trail. **Why it made the list – for the mix of cascades coming down from a glorious 18-feet. SPRING – Pinnacle Park This one has some strenuous terrain including a 7-mile trek that ascends for than 3,000 ft, but we wouldn’t include it on this list if the views at the top weren’t worth it. Go in prepared with snacks and water, and discover flowing streams, waterfalls, budding wildflowers and panoramic views along the way. **Why it made the list – because it became the first Certified Forest Therapy Trail in the state of North Carolina in 2022! SUMMER – Richland Balsam Save this one for the summer months, because in that time you’ll smell the pleasant aroma of the spruce trees and experience surprisingly cool temperatures all along the route. With stunning views from Haywood-Jackson Overlook, this trail stretches a total of 6,410 feet and loops 1.5 miles. **Why it made the list – it holds the selfie-worthy […]
Enjoy Wildflower Hikes in Jackson County, NC

Enjoy Wildflower Hikes in Jackson County, NC
In Jackson County, NC, spring is one of the best times to experience the crisp, clean, and cool mountain air. Due to the area’s varying elevations and location in the heart of a temperate rainforest, Jackson County is home to a wide variety of spring wildflower blooms. In the Great Smokies alone, there are over 1,500 species of flowering plants to enjoy!
Leave No Trace™ in Jackson County, NC

Leave No Trace™ in Jackson County, NC
Enjoy the best of the Blue Ridge Mountains and make a positive impact before you leave. Learn how to make the most out of your trip and give back when you Leave No Trace in Jackson County, NC.
Stargazing in the NC Mountains

Stargazing in the NC Mountains
With breathtaking views of the constellations and sky above, stargazing in the North Carolina Mountains truly is out of this world! Due to its remote location about an hour west of Asheville, Jackson County has no pollution, meaning the fullness of a dark sky night is on display year-round.
Explore These Top 12 Hidden Gems in Jackson County, NC

Explore These Top 12 Hidden Gems in Jackson County, NC
Located about an hour west of Asheville, Jackson County’s mountain towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva are your basecamp for regional adventure. From secret lakeside waterfalls only accessible by boat to endless miles of hiking in pristine National Forests, your next chapter of adventure awaits. Explore these top 12 hidden gems on your next mountain adventure.
Easy Hikes and More in Jackson County, NC

Easy Hikes and More in Jackson County, NC
Our towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva (about an hour west of downtown Asheville and the Biltmore Estate) have trails and activities for all skill levels – ranging from less strenuous to more adventurous. We’ve also got accessible trails and waterfalls for people with mixed mobility needs. Enjoy the mountains at your own pace as you reset and recharge in one of the most beautiful places in the country.
Your Adventure Lies Off the Beaten Path

Your Adventure Lies Off the Beaten Path
Although fall brings leaf lookers from near and far, we’ve created a guide to help you find “your adventure off the beaten path.” Making Jackson County, NC, your home base for leaf looking, especially during the week, gives you the best lodging rates, no waits, and little traffic to navigate.
Experience Jackson County’s Golden Hour with These Top 8 Sunrise/Sunset Spots

Experience Jackson County’s Golden Hour with These Top 8 Sunrise/Sunset Spots
Golden hour is the period of daytime shortly after sunrise or before sunset, when daylight is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky, making for some of the best viewing experiences. Jackson County’s elevation and peaks make it a favorite for visitors to enjoy this unmatched part of the day. At our overlooks, it is possible to see for miles, taking in the endless valleys and peaks that seem to await endlessly in the distance.
48 Hours of Fun in the NC Mountains

48 Hours of Fun in the NC Mountains
After months of being cooped up, many of us are ready to safely get out and explore again. With 494-square miles of awe-inspiring vistas, wide open spaces, multi-level trails and more, you’ll enjoy a plethora of natural socially distant activities in the NC Mountains. To give you a head start, we’ve compiled the best way to spend a weekend in the mountains – from hiking the oldest mountain in the world to enjoying award-winning craft beverages along the Jackson County Ale Trail. Forty-eight hours is the perfect amount of time to explore the very best places in Jackson County’s mountain towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro and Sylva.
Take Back 2020

Take Back 2020
New Years is a time we set goals that aspire to positive changes in our lives. This year has been filled with tragedy, sadness and challenges. Although these challenges have been difficult to navigate, they’ve brought us closer together and made us appreciate things more. Although the year may be halfway over, now is not the time to give up on 2020 as there is still time to fulfill your resolutions and set new ones. Hit the reset button and rediscover what’s important to you. The North Carolina towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva are here to help you get a fresh start, enjoy new experiences, and create a year that you’ll be proud of. This is still YOUR year, and now is the time to take back 2020!