Ultimate Guide to the Sapphire Valley (AKA Land of the Waterfalls), Cashiers, NC

Have you visited Cashiers, NC? There are so many family adventures waiting in Sapphire Valley. It’s one of our favorite places to visit with awesome places to hike, play, and eat. Go ahead and consult your calendar, because you’ll want to plan your trip once you read about this North Carolina gem.

This article includes:
About the Land of the Waterfalls
Things to do in Cashiers, NC
Hiking
Swimming
Seasonal Fun in Cashiers
Where to Eat in Cashiers, NC
Where to Stay in Cashiers, NC
Where to Shop in Cashiers, NC

Looking for more places to spend the day with your family? Here’s our list of Day Trip Towns, just a short drive from the Upstate.

Cashiers and Sapphire Valley at a glance

Where: Cashiers, NC, in southern Jackson County at the crossroads of US 64 and NC 107, 3,487 feet up on the southernmost plateau of the Appalachians. The year-round population is about 1,700, and climbs past 10,000 in summer.

When to go: Year-round. Warm months are for waterfalls, swimming holes, and lake days; winter is for snow tubing and skiing at Sapphire Valley, which runs weather permitting and is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only after New Year’s Day.

Ages: Snow tubing has no height restriction, and every rider needs their own tube, though a parent may hold a child’s tube.

What it costs: Whiteside Mountain parking is $3 per vehicle (a $15 annual pass also covers Dry Falls and Whitewater Falls). Snow tubing is $35 per person, or $26 with a Sapphire Valley amenity card, per 1.75-hour session. The amenity card is $5 per day per person age 14 and up, with a three-day minimum for short-term renters. A shared waterfall cruise on Lake Glenville is $89.95 per person.

Don’t miss: Whiteside Mountain, Silver Run Falls, Schoolhouse Falls, Sliding Rock, the Village Green playground, and the Shadow of the Bear.

Contact: Ski Sapphire Valley, 828-743-7663. Jackson County tourism, discoverjacksonnc.com.

Prices and hours verified September 2026. Always confirm with the venue before you go.

The Sapphire Valley. Even the name is beautiful. That’s where we went for my family’s first vacation after we moved to Greenville. But family vacations aren’t really vacations when you have kids, right? It’s more like parenting, just in a different place and with less sleep. Not necessarily.

Our trip was so awesome and relaxing despite the lack of our usual sleep routine. It was filled with adventure, waterfalls, good food, stunning beauty, and a feeling that we experienced a little bit of heaven. Since that trip, I’ve gone back many times, whether for another family trip, day trips, or weekend excursions.

Cashiers, NC, in Sapphire Valley is a small mountain town with a handful of shops and restaurants. The rest is pure nature. I’ll tell you all about where to hike, where to stay, where to eat, and seasonal activities so you can plan your own family’s adventure to this little slice of heaven.

Find a place to stay near the Sapphire Valley. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.

About the Land of the Waterfalls

The Sapphire Valley is nicknamed the “Land of Waterfalls” because, well, it is. There are hundreds of waterfalls in the area due to the mountainous terrain, and many of them don’t involve long hikes. If you’re into long hikes, don’t worry, there’s plenty of that, too. And if you’re looking for a more family-friendly adventure, you’ll find it.

Cashiers, NC, sits 3,487 feet above sea level right near the Eastern Continental Divide. Highway 64 is the main road that goes through the town and into Highlands to the West or to Rosman and Brevard to the East. It’s a really small town. Jackson County puts the year-round population at around 1,700, though it climbs to over 10,000 during the summer months. The town is so cute, with a beautiful park, the Village Green, a little hiking store, some clothing shops, a farmers market, and events throughout the year, including a wonderful Christmas parade.

Being so high in the mountains, Cashiers is almost always 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the foothills, which is so refreshing during the summer especially. When you pack, keep that in mind, and bring an extra jacket or sweater.

What to do in the Cashiers area

Cashiers is wonderful for all kinds of activities, or for doing nothing at all. You can paddleboard, swim, hike, practice photography, eat, ski, snow tube, or just cozy up by a fireplace and read a book. I’ll tell you about most of these activities here.

Hiking in Cashiers

Let’s start with hiking. I’ve done a lot of trails in this area and I’ll give you the rundown of what to expect for each one.

Whiteside Mountain

This two-mile loop is about 13 minutes from the center of Cashiers, and oh my gosh, what a view! Be sure to go clockwise or you’ll be climbing a lot of steps. I love the backend of this hike because you have mountain views the whole way as you’re walking along the mountain ridge with steel ropes. Just watch your kids, and if you go during the winter months, it could be a very slippery hike (which I don’t recommend). Also note that you have to pay a $3 per-vehicle fee at the trailhead parking lot, so bring cash for the self-service fee station. The Forest Service also sells a $15 annual pass that covers Whiteside Mountain, Dry Falls, and Whitewater Falls.

Silver Run Falls

This isn’t necessarily a hike. It’s more like a five-minute trek through the woods to a beautiful waterfall with a swimming hole. The water is really cold, but it feels awesome on a hot day, and it’s only five minutes from the center of Cashiers on the left-hand side of the road. Be aware that the pull-off only fits about five cars, so arrive early.

Glen Falls

Glen Falls is about 25 minutes south of Cashiers and is a 2.8-mile round-trip hike. It’s easy on the way down, and there are several overlooks to view the massive waterfall. The hike to the bottom takes you to a small, sandy beach, perfect for a picnic and rest since you’ll have to hike all the way back up!

Black Balsam

I had been wanting to get to Black Balsam for years and finally made it. Oh boy, it was worth it. You get 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s right near Graveyard Fields (also a great hiking spot with waterfalls) and Devils Courthouse. It’s about an hour from Cashiers and the hike is a moderate one, going uphill in the beginning and then downhill on your way back to the car. It’s only about 1.5 miles total and kid-friendly.

We saw so many kids climbing all the rocks and loving it. Get there early during weekends as this is a very popular hike, and it gets crowded. If there isn’t parking there, head up the road a bit to park at the lot at the end of the road and hike to Sam Knob, which is also an amazing 2.5-mile hike.

High Falls

There are two trailheads to High Falls. One is a short, but steep, 1.4-mile roundtrip hike from the Pines Recreation Area at Lake Glenville, and the other is a steadier and longer hike that’s about four miles long. High Falls is beautiful either way, but stay off the rocks around the waterfall and make sure the High Falls dam release isn’t happening when you go. It’s amazing to see, but you need to be well out of the way downstream since the trickle of the falls turns into a powerful blast.

Devil’s Courthouse

Go here in the spring for a possible look at the peregrine falcons that sometimes nest on the ridge. The overlook is on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the hike is straight up, but it’s not too far, just a half-mile or so. The top is gorgeous, and you can see both sunrises and sunsets from here.

Schoolhouse Falls

Panthertown Valley’s Schoolhouse Falls is a beautiful spot. Park at the Panthertown Trailhead off Cold Mountain Road, and take the pink-blazed trail to Little Green Trail where you will soon hear the waterfall. Cross the boardwalk, and you’re there. It’s one of my favorite waterfalls and an easy 2.5-mile round-trip hike.

You’ll gain some elevation on the way back to your car, but it’s not that difficult. The pool below Schoolhouse Falls is crystal-clear and perfect for swimming, but I particularly love this waterfall because you can walk behind it! It’s about 45 minutes from Cashiers.

Swimming

Next up is swimming near Cashiers. You can swim at Silver Run Falls and Schoolhouse Falls, but here are a couple of other spots to get wet during the warmer months.

Sliding Rock

This is not the Sliding Rock you may have heard about in Pisgah Forest. Nope, this is the smaller but just as fun and nowhere near as crowded Sliding Rock in Cashiers. It’s less than 10 minutes from downtown Cashiers and at the end of a short trail. There’s a little sandy beach, and you can slide down the waterfall all you want or jump into the potholes in the middle of rock formations on the waterfall itself if you’re daring. Definitely watch your kids here though.

Pines Recreation Area

Not 15 minutes from downtown Cashiers is the beautiful Lake Glenville. You can swim in the lake at the Pines Recreation Area on the north end of the lake. It has a little sandy beach and a fishing pier as well. It’s so pretty! You can also access the south trailhead (the shorter but steeper trail) to High Falls.

Boating on Lake Glenville

If you want to get on the water at Lake Glenville, take a waterfall cruise with Lake Glenville Scenic Waterfall Cruises, run by Captain Mark Wise, a U.S. Coast Guard licensed master captain. The two-hour boat tour is great for any age or ability level, and you’ll learn all about the lake, its history, its diverse ecosystems, and you’ll get to see waterfalls that are only accessible by boat. A spot on a shared public cruise runs $89.95 per person with a two-person minimum, and a private cruise for up to 14 passengers is $900.

You can also rent kayaks, paddleboards, and pontoon boats from local marinas, or drop in your own small water vessels at the Pines Recreation Area.

The Village Green

The Village Green is a huge, 13.2-acre green space right in the heart of Cashiers with art sculptures, a boardwalk path through the woods, and an old-school wooden playground that my kids did not want to leave. This is where many events happen in Cashiers as well, so if you’re not sure where an event is taking place, it’s probably here. I think the playground is the best part though! It’s fenced in and has swings, a tire swing, lots of obstacles, and a tot play space.

Fly Fishing

Even though I’ve never done fly fishing (though I’d really like to try it), I love watching the fishermen on the water whenever I see them during hikes. They look so relaxed. The Tuckaseegee River flows through a scenic mountain valley and several quaint communities up in Western NC. Jackson County is known as the North Carolina Trout Capital and home of the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail.

The river is very accessible for fishing and is teeming with brown, rainbow, and brook trout. Jackson County reports that 92,800 fish are stocked across the county’s waters annually, which is how it earned its North Carolina Trout Capital nickname. Winter is actually prime fly-fishing time. The fish feed more often during the day, and the state stocks the river in the fall, so have a really good chance of getting bites. You can bring your own equipment or rent from local outfitters. 

Seasonal Fun in Cashiers

Cashiers has four defined seasons, all of which have their own beauty, events, and cool things to do. Here are our favorites.

Outhouse Races

Every year, the Sapphire Valley Resort hosts the Outhouse Races where teams decorate an outhouse, put it on skis, and then race it down the mountain. It is exactly how it sounds, and it is really fun to watch. The teams are really creative and all use some kind of toilet humor, but it’s in such great fun. When people cheer for their favorite outhouse, you really get into it. The races usually happen in February.

Snow Tubing and Skiing

During the winter, you can ski and snow tube at the Sapphire Valley Resort. I’m not a skier, but my kids and I have done snow tubing there, and it’s a lot of fun! Snow tubing at Sapphire Valley happens at Frozen Falls Tube Park, right behind the community center and next to the bunny slope.

Snow tubing tickets are available at the community center and are $35/person. If you have an amenity card, it’s $26/person. You can’t buy them in advance, so you need to show up, sign a waiver, and purchase your ticket. Bring a card because the resort does not accept cash or checks. You can purchase your weekend ticket in person starting at 9 am on Fridays.

The resort does take group reservations of more than 10 people, but you must reserve a week ahead of time. On busy days, they do sell out, so plan accordingly (keep reading for backup plans). Each tubing session lasts for 1.75 hours and starts every two hours beginning usually at 10 am, although that can change. Check the schedule before you go.

There are no height restrictions, so kids can definitely do snow tubing, but they will be in their own tube. My kids (ages 9 and 5) had a blast. There is nothing quite like flying down a mountain on a giant tube! It’s exhilarating and a bit scary at first. The run is about 500 feet with a drop of 60 feet. To get up the mountain, you have to stand on an escalator-type contraption, like the kind you see at the airport. Staff can help get you and your tube on it. 

The Cashiers Christmas Parade

If you’ve ever wanted to experience a small mountain town at Christmas, this is your chance. The annual Cashiers Christmas parade happens every December, and it includes fire trucks, marching bands, and vintage cars. The 2025 parade was on Saturday, December 6, from 3 to 5 pm. The 2026 date hasn’t been announced yet, so check the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce events calendar before you plan your trip.

The Shadow of the Bear

This is a tricky one to catch, but if you do, prepare to be blown away. It’s only tricky because you need a clear sky, and it only happens twice a year for a few weeks. The Shadow of the Bear is literally a shadow that (allegedly) looks like a bear and appears next to Whiteside Mountain in late October/early November and again in early February.

You can see it about 30 minutes before sunset from a pull-off on Highway 64 right on the Jackson County border. I’ve done it with my kids, and we had such a fun time talking with the people watching it with us because none of us thought that the shadow looked like a bear!

You really need to watch your kids though since you’re on the side of the road. Get there early to get parking, and bring a jacket since it’s quite chilly up there that time of year.

Where to Eat in Cashiers

Cashiers is small, so dining options are limited. My favorite spot to eat is Slabtown Pizza, just a minute or two from the heart of Cashiers. They have pizza, salads, and local craft beer. We ordered a large cheese pizza, a small Greek salad, and waffle fries for just my two kids and me, and we had leftovers. You order at the counter (or call ahead for pickup) and take a seat and wait for your food.

We also ate one afternoon at Happs right next to Lake Glenville. This place is fantastic because they have a big outdoor play area with cornhole and mini-golf, which is a great distraction for kids while they wait for their meals. They have burgers, sandwiches, and salads plus a huge bar, big TVs, indoor and outdoor seating, and a big fireplace.

For coffee and pastries, I recommend Buck’s Coffee Cafe at the main intersection of 64 and 107. The place is very laid back with bagels, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and a latte that I’m still thinking about days later. If you’re working while up in Cashiers, this is a great spot to bring your laptop and relax while making your deadlines. They’ve got WiFi and lots of comfortable seating.

Where to Stay in Cashiers

Most of the time I’ve visited Cashiers or Lake Glenville, I’ve stayed in an Airbnb or VRBO at the Sapphire Valley Resort. Staying at the resort is fantastic because it has an indoor pool and sauna, hot tubs, mini-golf, a gym, arcade room, and outdoor pool. You have to purchase an amenity card (currently $5/day per person for everyone age 14 and up, with a three-day minimum for short-term renters), but it was totally worth it for the downtime moments between all our adventures to swim in the pools and relax in the sauna.

This is especially worth it if you’re visiting during the colder months because you can use the indoor pool and sauna no matter the weather! Also, if you’re staying at the resort, you can rent kayaks or paddleboards at Lake Fairfield. That was the very first time I tried paddleboarding, which kindled my love for it!

The Airbnb I stayed at in Lake Glenville, though, was amazing. I really didn’t want to leave. While we didn’t have lake access, we did have a breathtaking view of the lake, which was one hundred percent worth it. Definitely check Airbnb or VRBO for listings that fit your family’s needs and budget.

The other place I’ve stayed while visiting Cashiers is the Hampton Inn & Suites directly across the street from the resort. This hotel was awesome for several reasons: 

• It has an indoor pool and hot tub, which we made use of when our initial tubing time was unavailable. 
• It has a free, hot breakfast in the morning, which included everything from waffles to eggs to smoothies to oatmeal and bagels.
• The location is just perfect as it took us no time to get to the resort.
• It is super clean, and the staff are friendly and helpful.
• It has free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate all day long.
• It’s a great option for budget-conscious families (we saw so many families there!).

Wintertime is this area’s slower season so prices are probably as cheap as they will be all year. This season is often called the “Secret Season” because of the lower cost of trips there.

For a more luxurious and high-end vacation experience in Cashiers, take a look at the High Hampton Resort. It has an 18-hole golf course, beautiful rooms, and spa services offered through a partnership with Mantra Spa in Cashiers. Please note the spa is off-site, though transportation is provided. Golf access is limited to club members and resort guests, and the course closes for the season on December 1.

Where to Shop in Cashiers

We loved shopping at the Cashiers Farmers Market, a standalone market with everything from bacon to local honey to fruit and produce to pottery and seasonal items. They also have wine, chocolate, and you can order lunch and eat at the picnic tables next door.

Cashiers, NC FAQs

Do you have to pay to hike Whiteside Mountain?

There is no charge to hike, but parking at the Whiteside Mountain trailhead costs $3 per vehicle, collected at a self-service fee station — so bring cash. The Forest Service also sells a $15 annual pass that covers Whiteside Mountain, Dry Falls, and Whitewater Falls.

How much does snow tubing at Sapphire Valley cost, and can you book ahead?

A 1.75-hour session is $35 per person, or $26 with a valid Sapphire Valley amenity card (military members with ID also get the amenity rate). Sessions start at 10 am, noon, 2 pm, and 4 pm. You cannot book online as tickets are sold in person only, at the Sapphire Valley Community Center, first come first served, and the resort takes cards only. If you are already on site on a Friday, you can buy tickets that day for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday of the same weekend. Groups of 10 or more need to reserve at least a week ahead.

Do you need a Sapphire Valley amenity card?

You need one to use the resort’s pools, sauna, hot tubs, mini-golf, fitness center, and arcade, and it also drops the snow tubing rate from $35 to $26. Short-term renters pay $5 per day per person for everyone age 14 and up, with a three-day minimum. If you are booking a rental on the resort, check with the owner that the property is in good standing with the Master Association, since that is what makes amenity access possible.

When is the Cashiers Christmas Parade?

The parade runs annually in early December. The 2026 date had not been announced as of September 2026, so check the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce events calendar before booking a trip around it.

What is there to do in Cashiers when it rains?

Cashiers is part of the Appalachian temperate rainforest and is one of the rainiest places in the eastern U.S., so plan for it. If you have an amenity card, the Sapphire Valley recreation center has an indoor pool, sauna, hot tubs, and an arcade. Otherwise, the Cashiers Farmers Market is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and has a barbecue counter for lunch, and Slabtown Pizza serves Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm and Sunday from 4 to 8 pm.

My Last Thoughts on Cashiers

Know this: if you visit Cashiers, you may leave a little piece of your heart there. If you like hiking, swimming, boating, sliding down waterfalls, and spending time with family, the Sapphire Valley may swoop in and whisk you away. I have fallen so hard for this tiny slice of heaven and go as often as I can. I have made wonderful memories with my family here and truly hope I get to make many more.

And here’s another confession: I grew up close to the beach in New Jersey and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m more of a mountain-lover than beach-lover. It seems like a betrayal of my roots, but it’s not. I’m setting down new roots for my own kids to make their own memories and hopefully fall in love with the outdoors like I did.

For more information on other things to do in Jackson County, visit the county’s tourism website.

Do you love outdoor adventures? You may also enjoy our list of Waterfalls Near Greenville, Swimming Holes Near Greenville, and Hiking Near Greenville!