Whether you’re a frequent visitor or looking to plan your first trip out to Jackson County, there’s so much to discover each time you find yourself in our beautiful area of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of our best hidden gems and fun facts.

Our mountain towns are home to:

4. 4. The Smallest U.S. Post Office in the U.S. – Nestled in the shadow of Whiteside Mountain in Cashiers you’ll find Grimshawes Post Office, which stands at just 5 feet by 6 feet. This roadside attraction operated from 1878 until 1953 and is still preserved today, so it’s worth the stop-by to snap some memorable photos. It’s also completely free!

4. 4. The Highest Continuous Cliff East of the Mississippi – Laurel Knob is a whopping 1,200 feet of continuous rock cliff. While it’s not safe to climb unless you’re a professional, we recommend that you take the time during your explorations to view this miraculous natural summit from distance.

4. 4. Largest box canyon East of the Rockies – Laurel Knob mentioned above is best viewed from Lonesome Valley, which is a spectacle of its own situated midway between Sapphire and Cashiers. It’s technically a 800-acre private gated community with homes and vacation cottages, but anyone can experience its breathtaking stone mountain views by dining outside at Canyon Kitchen, a fabulous restaurant open to the public serving an award-winning, farm-to-table menu.

4. 4. More Mountain Heritage Trout Waters than Anywhere Else in the State – We’re recognized as the North Carolina Trout Capital®, and for good reason. We have three different Mountain Heritage Trout waters, which is more than anywhere else in the state of North Carolina. Plus, our waters are stocked with 92,800 fish annually, so you’re in good hands here whether you’re a seasoned fly fisher or entirely new to the sport.

4. 4. The Only Place in the Country You Can See the Shadow of the Bear – Perhaps you may have heard about our Shadow of the Bear phenomenon that makes an appearance each fall season as the sun sets behind Whiteside Mountain. What’s less commonly known though, is that the Shadow of the Bear actually returns in late winter during our Secret Season, too. Fall-colors are swapped out with frost-covered peaks and it’s just as spectacular to see.

From our stunning natural scenery to unique cultural experiences, there’s a reason our mountain towns attract visitors year after year. If you’d like to uncover our hidden gems for yourself, please use our Trip Planner to get started!