Secret Season in Jackson County

Take a post-holiday retreat in a mountain getaway during “Secret Season,” the quieter winter months in Jackson County. This is a great time to enjoy the clear and crisp mountain air with fewer crowds, get the best deals and offers on accommodations, and have scenic trails all to yourself! Enjoy the top small towns of Cashiers, Dillsboro, and Sylva for a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway in scenic Jackson County west of Asheville in January, February, and March. Visit Jackson County's website for details. 

Cozy Cabins & Lodging

Retreat to a relaxing getaway in the mountains. Since Jackson County is home to large sections of the Nantahala National Forest, it's easy to find a secluded log cabin or resort with a fireplace or whirlpool and hot tub. Go to the Jackson County Guide for places to stay. 

​Jackson County Restaurants

With fewer crowds, there’s little to no wait time at the most popular award-winning
restaurants in town. Jackson County towns have a thriving culinary scene, featuring top chefs and locally-sourced food.

Cashiers 

• The Orchard: Southern-American restaurant in a restored farmhouse with scenic orchard & garden views. 905 NC-107, Cashiers
• Library Kitchen and Bar: Farm-to-table, fine dining. 184 Cherokee Trail, Sapphire
• SlabTown Pizza: Serves pizza, calzones, salads, wings. 45 Slab Town Rd, Cashiers

Sylva

• Lulu’s on Main: Diner-style restaurant serving Southern cuisine. 678 W Main Street, Sylva, NC

Dillsboro

• Haywood Smokehouse: BBQ cooked low and slow, scratch-made sides. 403 Haywood Rd

Shopping 

Sylva: Shopping in downtown Sylva is a must. Find the perfect unique souvenir or gift to take home along Sylva’s walkable downtown. Check out antique stores, bookstores, mountain and fly fishing outfitters and The Farm House Mercantile for home goods and furnishings.
Dillsboro: Find handcrafted pottery, sculptures, paintings, photography, and more in Jackson County's many galleries and shops. Riverwood Pottery, in historic Dillsboro, has been firing stoneware for more than 40 years.
Cashiers: Cashiers is home to dozens of upscale home shops and design boutiques, such as Joan Anderson Interiors and The Designer's Market. The Art of Living is another unique home and accessory store open year-round.

Shadow of the Bear

Hikes

Visitors get front-row seats to wide-open views on hikes and walks in nature.

• Shadow of the Bear: (photo above) In mid-February, see this unique natural spectacle more commonly known for its fall appearance in October. The Shadow of the Bear actually comes out of hibernation twice a year. It makes an appearance for just 30 minutes on sunny days at 5:30 PM and continues through early March.
• Whitewater Falls: (photo below) Located in Nantahala National Forest, this is one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rockies, with the upper falls falling 411 feet, and the lower falls cascading 400 feet for a total of 811 ft.!
• Whiteside Mountain: Located near Cashiers, this super scenic loop trail takes you along the clifftops the panoramic views of Nantahala National Forest. Condé Nast Traveler picked it as a top hike in the country!
• High Falls: Hike down to the bottom of this 150-foot tall waterfall below the dam for Lake Glenville. Find towering cliffs and plenty of rocks for sitting. Afterward, walk across the road for the lakeside park for a picnic on those mild winter days.
• Schoolhouse Falls: Stroll through Panthertown Valley to this scenic waterfall deep in Nantahala National Forest. 
• Pinnacle Park: Winter is a perfect time for this strenuous yet rewarding hike with panoramic views from the summit, one of the few trails that never close due to ice or snow. 

Whitewater Falls

Cashiers Waterfall Loop
See four waterfalls in one day with an easy scenic drive through Nantahala National Forest. From Cashiers, head south on NC 107 for four miles to Silver Run Falls. This beautiful setting is a short walk from the road. Continue south five miles on NC 107 into South Carolina and turn left onto Highway 37-413 for about 2 miles. At the end, turn left onto Highway 130 North back into North Carolina to find Upper Whitewater Falls (photo above) on the right. It’s a short walk on a paved trail to the overlook for one of the tallest waterfalls in eastern USA. For a longer hike to more waterfalls, turn right out of the Upper Whitewater Falls parking area on NC 281 North for about 8 miles to Gorges State Park. Hike to Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls.

Tubing at Sapphire Valley Ski Resort

Ski & Tube

Near Cashiers is Sapphire Valley Ski Resort, a small resort perfect for beginners and families that don't want to tackle the crowds of the bigger resorts. A fun option is their 700-foot tubing run - fun for all ages with no experience required! Go to the Jackson County Guide for details.

Cherokee Scenic Drive

From Dillsboro, the authentic Cherokee is an easy 15-mile drive. Your first stop should be the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Next door, see plenty of local crafts and art at Qualla Arts and Crafts. Continue on US 441 for just 3 miles to reach the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains Park. Stop at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Mountain Farm Museum to learn more about this area. Continue into the park on Newfound Gap Road for a scenic drive up to Newfound Gap (open except for snow and ice storms). Read more about Cherokee.

Fishing

Yes, winter is a great time to fish. Jackson County is home to the WNC Fly Fishing Trail®, the country’s first and only fly fishing trail. Since the cooler temperatures allow fish to feed all day long and the state starts its supplemental stockings in the fall, the fish are plentiful and biting during the cooler months. Local guides take you to the best spots and provide all the gear.