Have you heard of the “Shadow of the Bear”? It’s exactly like it sounds, but you have to be high up on Whiteside Mountain in Cashiers, NC, to see it. Here’s how to catch the cool WNC shadow of the bear less than two hours from Greenville.
Every fall, a really neat phenomenon called the Shadow of the Bear emerges near Cashiers, North Carolina, in the early evening. When the sun is at the right point, Whiteside Mountain forms a shadow in the valley that looks like a bear.
Looking for more to do in Western North Carolina? Don’t miss our article on WNC’s Secret Season. You’ll find amazing adventures that are budget-friendly.
I love Cashiers and have hiked and vacationed there with my family. Seeing the Shadow of the Bear has been a bucket list item for years. It’s such a unique sight that is not only fun to see but also enhances the beautiful landscape of brightly colored leaves of fall.
To see it, you need to head up Highway 64 to a place called Rhodes Big View Overlook. Be sure to get there a little before 5:30 p.m. when the shadow appears in the valley next to Whiteside Mountain. Weekdays are way better than weekends. And there has to be a fairly clear sky. The full shadow takes about 30 minutes to emerge.
Since the drive is a good hour and 45 minutes from Greenville, staying overnight in Cashiers wouldn’t be a bad idea. Driving home in the dark through the mountains was a tad scary because I was watching for deer and bears.
It’s pretty high up there as well, about 4,930 feet above sea level, so bring a jacket to stay warm as you catch the bear shadow. This only happens twice a year, from mid-October to early November and from mid-February to early March. The timing of the fall Shadow of the Bear is splendid because it hits during leaf-peeping time.
Know Before You Go
- The shadow won’t appear on cloudy days so only go when it’s sunny.
- The bear starts to emerge about 5:30 p.m. in the valley next to Whiteside Mountain and takes 30 minutes to fully come out. Get there early (or later at 6:00 p.m. to see the full shadow) because it gets crowded.
- The best view is from the Rhodes Big View Overlook on Highway 64 in Cashiers. Calling this an overlook is generous because it’s more like a glorified shoulder. You’ll need to keep your kids close since it can be dangerous if cars swing around the curve too fast.
- Bring a warm jacket since it’s nearly 5,000 feet above sea level, and it’s chilly in the fall.
Are you looking for more fun things to do in Cashiers, NC? Read our Ultimate Guide to The Sapphire Valley!
Are you looking for more fun places to travel in the United States? Check out our Kidding Around travel page.
