Cashiers is a touristy mountain town with hiking trails, lakes and waterfalls
At about 3,500 feet and surrounded by 5,000-foot summits, Cashiers is a tourist destination and second-home community perched among the Blue Ridge Mountains. The year-round population comprises less than 1,000 residents, but from May to October, thousands drive up the mountains for a visit. Its views are the draw, and its natural recreation keeps folks coming back. "There are plenty of outdoor activities regarding hiking and canoeing," says local Realtor Judy Michaud of Meadows Mountain Realty. She's sold homes across the region since 1986. "And it's a really high elevation, so you have cool mountain temperatures." The community's center buzzes with small shops and restaurants, and mountainside retreats offer views and privacy.
Hikes at Whiteside Mountain and trips to Silver Run Falls
Much of Cashier's appeal is in its scenic natural setting, with hiking trails, waterfalls, lakes and rivers. The 2.5-mile Whiteside Mountain hike reaches an elevation of almost 5,000 feet, cutting around towering cliffs and through dense woodlands. It's home to the "Shadow of the Bear," a shadow formation only visible for 30 minutes a day during a few weeks in October and November. The trail at Yellow Mountain winds 6 miles to the top, where hikers will find an early 20th-century fire tower overlooking the mountains. Locals enjoy the short hike to Silver Run Falls, just off Highway 107. The hike is brief, but the falls are the draw; it's common to see people swimming or lounging on the rocks. Cashiers Sliding Rock is another natural spot to swim, popular for its slick rock that dips into a pool of the Chattooga River. Lake Glenville, about 7 miles north of the heart of Cashiers, has 26 miles of shoreline and is busy with kayakers, anglers and swimmers.
Cashiers also has several community spaces and public parks. Cashiers Community Park features sports facilities, a playground and a walking trail, and the Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Department has a fitness room, an indoor track and basketball courts. The Village Green sprawls across 13 acres of forest glade and wetlands and is a popular spot for the community to get together. "They do outdoor events and concerts in the summertime," Michaud says. "It's a wonderful common area." Locals also enjoy golf at the members-only Mountain Golf and Lake Club or the private Wade Hampton Golf Club.
Mountain cabins and cottages widely varying in price
The median sale price for homes in Cashiers is about $1.3 million, much higher than the national median. "There are lots of opportunities for homeownership in the area," Michaud says. "Some condos start around $200,000, and there are homes that go to eight, nine and 10 million dollars." Most homes sit on at least an acre of land, often surrounded by trees and within view of the mountains or Lake Glenville. Homes are usually custom, and styles widely vary, but log cabins and country cottages are common. Many houses feature floor-to-ceiling windows and wide decks. Land is often for sale, ranging from $15,000 to $3.3 million.
Exploring the shops and restaurants at the community's center
The intersection of Highways 64 and 107 is loosely considered Cashier's "downtown," and many businesses here resemble wood cabins up in the mountains. Buck's Coffee Café serves pastries and lattes with an aesthetic of mounted deer heads and wood paneling. Whiteside Brewing Company has plenty of outdoor space for visitors to sit and sip craft beer before hopping to the next stop of the Jackson County Ale Trail. Highland Hiker sells name-brand hiking clothes, Cashiers Thrift Shop has rare finds and Slab Town Pizza serves sizable slices with a full bar. Locals often grab groceries at Ingles in Cashiers Center, or at the Cashiers Farmers Market, a family-owned spot with locally-sourced produce and goods. The family that owns the market also owns On the Side Barbeque, where visitors can enjoy lunch after shopping.
Blue Ridge Early College allows students to earn an associate's degree
Jackson County Public Schools scores a B rating on Niche and serves over 3,500 students. Pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade students attend Blue Ridge School, which maintains a small student body of around 150 students and earns a B-minus rating. Blue Ridge Early College is a North Carolina Cooperative Innovative High School. This distinction means students can earn an associate's degree with their high school diploma through a partnership with Southwestern Community College. Students can also earn a workforce certificate by completing college-level courses. Niche gives the high school a B.
Navigating Jackson County
Cashiers is a car-dependent community. U.S. Route 64 runs east and west, connecting the area with Highlands about 10 miles away. State Route 107 cuts through the community's heart and across the state line into South Carolina. "It's tucked away in the corner of western North Carolina, where South Carolina and Georgia all come together," Michaud says. "It's a great location." Highlands-Cashiers Hospital is about 7 miles west of the community's heart. Asheville is 63 miles away, and Asheville Regional Airport is a 47-mile trip.
Written By
Brennen Martin
