
Plateau resort country between Highlands and Lake Toxaway — waterfalls, golf, and cool-summer cabins.
Cashiers and Sapphire Valley, North Carolina sit on the Highlands Plateau at 3,486 feet, 10 miles east of Highlands along U.S. 64. Cashiers is a crossroads village that grew up around the Zachary-Tolbert House and a network of Vanderbilt-era summer estates, and today it anchors a mix of high-end resorts (High Hampton, Chattooga Club, the Country Club of Sapphire Valley), waterfalls, and golf.
The area is best known for Whitewater Falls just to the south — at 411 feet, one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Rockies — and for Silver Run Falls, Rainbow Falls on the Horsepasture River, and the many named falls in the Panthertown Valley wilderness, sometimes called the Yosemite of the East. Panthertown's Salt Rock overlook and 6,000-acre backcountry make it one of the best day-hike destinations in WNC.
Sapphire Valley Ski Resort provides small-scale winter skiing and tubing on the plateau, and Lake Toxaway — the largest private lake in North Carolina — sits just to the east. Cashiers pairs naturally with Highlands and Brevard for a plateau waterfall weekend.
Right now
What's good in Cashiers / Sapphire Valley right now
Pulled from the experiences, events, drives and stays currently on StayNear.
Trip ideas
Ways to spend a weekend in Cashiers / Sapphire Valley
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Waterfall Weekend
Waterfalls in this area, grouped for one trip.
- Whitewater Falls · Sapphire
- Rainbow Falls (Gorges) · Sapphire
- Silver Run Falls · Cashiers
- Turtleback Falls · Sapphire
Family Adventure
Family-friendly experiences in this area.
- Downtown Cashiers · Cashiers
- Sapphire Valley Ski Area · Sapphire
- Whitewater Falls · Sapphire
- Silver Run Falls · Cashiers
Fall Color Weekend
Overlooks and drives that carry the fall color here.
- Whitewater Falls · Sapphire
- Rainbow Falls (Gorges) · Sapphire
- Silver Run Falls · Cashiers
- Turtleback Falls · Sapphire
Lake & River Days
Water access, paddling, and river time in the area.
- Silver Run Falls · Cashiers
- Caney Fork (Cullowhee) · Cullowhee
- Lake Glenville · Glenville
- Lake Toxaway · Lake Toxaway
Most popular
What travelers do most in Cashiers / Sapphire Valley
AnchorMountain TownsDowntown Cashiers
Cashiers, NC
Mountain village near waterfalls, lakes, golf, hiking, and Highlands–Cashiers Plateau attractions.
AnchorFamily AttractionsSapphire Valley Ski Area
Sapphire, NC
Small-resort skiing, snow tubing (Frozen Falls Tube Park), and family snow play near Cashiers.
Limited natural snow· 0% snow · ~1.6″
AnchorWaterfallsModerateWhitewater Falls
Sapphire, NC
411-ft waterfall — among the tallest east of the Rockies.
- AnchorSapphire, NC
Waterfalls
Rainbow Falls (Gorges)
WaterfallsStrenuousRainbow Falls (Gorges)
Sapphire, NC
125-ft waterfall on the Horsepasture River.
Top experiences
What to do in Cashiers / Sapphire Valley
Whitewater Falls
Sapphire, NC
411-ft waterfall — among the tallest east of the Rockies.
AnchorDowntown Cashiers
Cashiers, NC
Mountain village near waterfalls, lakes, golf, hiking, and Highlands–Cashiers Plateau attractions.
AnchorSapphire Valley Ski Area
Sapphire, NC
Small-resort skiing, snow tubing (Frozen Falls Tube Park), and family snow play near Cashiers.
Waterfalls
Rainbow Falls (Gorges)
Rainbow Falls (Gorges)
Sapphire, NC
125-ft waterfall on the Horsepasture River.

Turtleback Falls
Sapphire, NC
Sloping waterfall above Rainbow Falls.
Silver Run Falls
Cashiers, NC
Short walk to a 25-ft waterfall and swimming pool.

Lake Glenville
Glenville, NC
High-elevation lake near Cashiers with deep coves and waterfall-fed shoreline.

Lake Toxaway
Lake Toxaway, NC
North Carolina's largest private mountain lake, surrounded by waterfall country.
Annual events
Upcoming in Cashiers / Sapphire Valley
Arts & Crafts
Sapphire Valley Arts & Crafts Show
Sapphire, NC
Seasonal handmade-craft show series with regional artisans on the Highlands–Cashiers Plateau.
Music / Outdoor Concert
Groovin on the Green
Cashiers, NC
Outdoor concert series on The Village Green in Cashiers.
Arts / Crafts / Fall
ColorFest Arts and Crafts
Dillsboro, NC
Fall arts and crafts festival featuring regional artisans.
Fall / Arts / Crafts
Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival
Cashiers, NC
Fall leaf-season festival with artisan vendors, food, music, and family activities.
Nearby stays
Cabins & rentals in Cashiers / Sapphire Valley
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Get found by travelers planning trips to this region.
Add Your BusinessBrowse Cashiers / Sapphire Valley by experience
Summer · Jun – Aug
Best of Cashiers / Sapphire Valley this season
Matched from what each experience is actually known for.
- Sapphire Valley Ski Area
Sapphire, NC · Family Attractions
Best time: Year-round
- Silver Run Falls
Cashiers, NC · Known for swimming
Best time: Summer for swimming
- Caney Fork (Cullowhee)
Cullowhee, NC · Lakes & Rivers
Best time: Spring through fall; cool tailwaters fish well year-round
- Lake Glenville
Glenville, NC · Known for lake
Best time: Late spring through early fall
- Lake Toxaway
Lake Toxaway, NC · Known for lake
Best time: Late spring through early fall
- Panthertown Creek
Cashiers, NC · Lakes & Rivers
Best time: Spring through fall; cool tailwaters fish well year-round
Plan by season
When to visit Cashiers / Sapphire Valley
Spring
Mar – May
Wildflowers, waterfalls running full, and shoulder-season cabin rates before the summer crowds.
Summer
Jun – Aug
Rafting, lake days, downtown festivals, and long evenings on the porch.
Fall
Sep – Nov
Peak foliage drives, harvest festivals, and the busiest weekends of the year — book early.
Winter
Dec – Feb
Quiet trails, fireside cabins, and holiday markets in the mountain towns.
Nearby in Western North Carolina
Pair these with your stay — most are within a 60–90 minute drive.




