 With over four-hundred and ninety square miles within its perimeter, including parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Jackson County, NC is home of Western Carolina University, in Cullowhee, and many lovely, small towns, incorporated and un, as well as a thriving tourist industry. Lots of mountain cabins and vacation rentals, campgrounds and a hot bed of real estate buying and selling makes this beautiful mountain county a jewel in western NC for anyone looking to enjoy the scenery and hospitality, either for a vacation or permanent residence.
Balsam, NC - A small unincorporated town in the Scotts Creek area of Jackson County, the Balsam community has an entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway at Balsam Gap. The Balsam Mountain Inn has been revered for a very long time as a popular tourist destination or dinner spot. Also, Balsam is near Water Rock Knob, Moonshine Creek Campground and Graveyard Fields. You will find Balsam on Highway 74 between Sylva and Waynesville.
Bear Lake, NC - - --- --- ------ ----- ----- --- ----- ---- -- ----- -- --- --- ---- ---- --- --- ---- --- -- - --- --- ------ ----- ----- --- ----- ---- -- ----- -- --- --- ---- ---- --- --- ---- --- -- - --- --- ------ ----- ----- --- ----- ---- -- ----- -- --- --- ---- ---- --- --- ---- --- --
Cashiers, NC - At the southern end of Jackson County, Cashiers includes mountains of the Blue Ridge and is very scenic, with waterfalls and Nantahala National Forest lands. Visitors and vacation owners from all over the southeast hike, mountain bike, golf and fish year-round in the mild climate there. The nearby towns of Highlands, Glenville and Sapphire attract tourists to their cabins, campgrounds and restaurants, many upscale and unique. Get there by US Highway 64 and NC 107; it’s where they intersect. Enjoy the drive! And be prepared to stop to view waterfalls along the way.
Cullowhee, NC - Home of Western Carolina University, Cullowhee is considered “the most wired small town in North Carolina”. Located in a thermal valley surround by the Blue Ridge Mountains, its mild winters are welcome by all who enjoy the outdoors year-round. The Cullowhee River and Tuckaseegee River provide fishing for locals and visitors alike. The WCU’s new Fine and Performing Arts Center has an active schedule of theatre and live performances of all kinds.
Dillsboro, NC - This popular tourist location, where the popular Great Smoky Mounts Railroad begins, is small but fun. Several good restaurants, including the Jarrett House, are there and lots of shops of all types line the charming streets, all within walking distance of the train station. With lots of vacation cabin rentals nearby, Dillsboro is also close to Sylva and a short hop to Cherokee and all its attractions, including Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, and several wonderful golf courses.
Glenville, NC - A small unincorporated town whose claim to fame is beautiful Glenville Lake. Many vacation homes are located around its perimeter. It’s halfway between Cullowhee and Cashiers, on highway 107.
Sylva, NC - The town seat of Jackson County, this Main Street town is home to many shops and restaurants, including Spring Street Café, located in the ground floor of City Lights Bookstore, and Lulu’s Café, on Main Street. Nearby is Southwestern Community College. There are lots of vacation cabin rentals and campgrounds near Sylva and many professors from WCU live in the Sylva area. It’s also close to Cherokee and Waynesville for lots more tourist attractions and activities, such as horseback riding, hiking, golfing and swimming. Check out Soul Infusions Tea House, too, on your way to Cullowhee and Cashiers. Great micro-brewed beers and a fine selection of teas and food.
Whittier, NC This small town in western North Carolina, located on the Tuckasegee River, between Bryson City and Dillsboro, straddles the county line between Jackson County to its east and Swain County to the west. It used to be the hub of the lumber industry before the Depression, and now it has a tons of rental cabins which are very well located within easy driving distance of Nantahala Outdoor Center, Cherokee (Harrah's Casino and Unto These Hills), Pisgah National Forest, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Franklin and Waynesville restaurants and Western Carolina University. Whittier may be small but it's popularity is growing because of its location, deep in the heart of the Smokies. Y'all come.
Thank You for Visiting Jackson County, NC
Western North Carolina
Balsam, NC  Bear Lake, NC Cashiers, NC Cherokee, NC Cullowhee, NC Dillsboro, NC Glenville, NC Sylva, NC Whittier, NC View ALL. |
WNC Directory
Towns
Jackson County, 
Lace 
KMR Handwoven