Easy Hikes and More in Jackson County, NC

Family hiking at Waterrock Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway

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.

8 Great Picnic Spots in the NC Mountains

Picnic at Waterrock Knob

8 Great Picnic Spots in the NC Mountains

Great food, great views, and warm weather go together so well! In the NC Mountains of Jackson County, many of our delicious non-chain restaurants offer numerous takeout options for you to enjoy while soaking up the best of the warm spring mountain air. In our towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva (about an hour west of Asheville), you’ll find the best picnic spots to break out the picnic basket and enjoy quality time with friends and family. Check out ‘8 Great Picnic Spots’ to enjoy in the NC Mountains.

Airing of the Quilts

Airing of the Quilts

Airing of the quilts is a mountain tradition where women would take family quilts off the beds and hang them in the spring sunshine to freshen. Enjoy the beautiful display of quilts from quilters and quilt collectors. There will also be the popular fabric scrap exchange, a quilt pattern and book exchange, raffle and music.

WNC Pottery Festival

WNC Pottery Festival, Sylva

WNC Pottery Festival

Showcasing the work of more than 40 master potters from 13 states, this year’s WNC Pottery Festival will be held at Sylva’s Bridge Park. A variety of clay art styles will be presented. Those who purchase a ticket online will be able to enter 30 minutes early for a special event preview. The festival is juried and the lineup of potters is impressive. You won’t want to miss it! This event has been named one of the “Top 20” events in the Southeast for November. The $5 ticket includes a chance in a raffle; kids under 12 admitted free. Dogs are not permitted at this festival. Click here for more information.

Mountain Heritage Day

girls tap dancing on heritage day in jackson county

Mountain Heritage Day

The 50th annual Mountain Heritage Day will be a combination old-fashioned mountain fair and showcase for Southern Appalachian music, arts, dance and song, with the atmosphere of a big family reunion. Visitors will find three stages of traditional old-time, gospel, and bluegrass music and dance, with plenty of fiddles, banjos, and clogging. Festival-goers are invited to join in workshops at the Circle Tent and participate in shape-note singing, one of the mountains’ sacred traditions. Admission and parking are free so bring your family and experience all that our rich heritage has to offer. Don’t miss the Smoky Mountain Splendor Quilt Show at the Ramsey Regional Activity Center on campus, featuring 300+ quilts, displays, vendors and more. Mountain Heritage Day is recognized as one of the “Top 20” events in the Southeast for the month of September.

Sylva’s Brew Hop

freshly poured flight of beer in jackson county

Sylva’s Brew Hop

Enjoy the Jackson County Ale Trail with Sylva’s Annual Brew Hop! Sylva’s 7th annual Brew Hop to benefit the Main Street Sylva Association (a non-profit organization). Visit each of our four breweries and taste our local brews. Tickets include a souvenir glass and two, 4-oz. pours at each of the four locations. The first 150 people to sign up receive a bonus souvenir glass.