Cashiers / Brevard Trip Highlights

We made it back from our 10-day trip to the Cashiers and Brevard areas of NC. Got a lot of great recommendations from the board and wanted to share the ups and downs (not many downs at all) for future reference.

Stayed for 6 nights near Lake Glenville (just north of Cashiers). Simple Airbnb cabin with a great view, outdoor fireplace, etc. Thanks Nole Man for the find!

Day 1 - travel day

Day 2 - lunch at Village Tavern in Cashiers (newer place, was very good for lunch), hit the Farmers market. Then on to Cullasaja Falls (great view after a short hike), Bust Your Butt falls (fun place to swim, slide down a waterfall, and cliff jump), and High Falls (hike behind the waterfall).

Day 3 - we drove to Brevard to pick up our daughter from camp, then made our way back to hang out and catch up. Perfect night for a fire outside.

Day 4 - rented a boat on Lake Glenville through Lakeshore Marina. Not the best communication, but the boat was fine. Signal Ridge was another option provided but they were sold out on boats that day. Rented a tube as well and had a great day out on the water. Dinner at Whiteside Brewing Company near Cashiers (good local beer, pub food) followed by a drive into Highlands and a visit to Kilwins for chocolate. This place was awesome.

Day 5 - we went rafting on the Tuckasegee river near Sylva. Took this option because we have young kids, first time rafters. Guided trip was great - Dillsboro Rafting Company. They will do guided trips, self-guided, kayaks, tubes, etc. That night we hiked up on Whiteside Mountain for a "sunset view" - the trail isn't terribly challenging but it was wet, foggy, and cloudy that evening. Either way, this was the best view of any place we went.

Day 6 - more hiking / waterfalls - this day we drove down to Whitewater Falls, then on to Silver Run Falls (beautiful little spot for swimming around the waterfall). Very cold. Then we went to the Cashiers sliding rock - it was pretty crowded but the kids had a great time.

Day 7 - moved on to Brevard and stayed at another Airbnb technically in Pisgah Forest, NC. Spent the day in Brevard - lunch at Square Root (highly recommend).

Day 8 - zipline tour at Canopy Ridge Farm in Lake Lure. This was incredible. They say it's for ages 4+ and they do a really great job making everyone feel comfortable, at ease, and have a great time. This was a top 3 highlight of the trip. Would definitely recommend. We hit the Lake House Restaurant on the way back - beautiful view overlooking Lake Lure and a great meal.

Day 9 - we were planning on hitting Sliding Rock, Black Balsom, Devil's Courthouse, and Rainbow Falls, but instead lucked out and got a last-minute July 4th boat rental on Lake Jocassee, which was about an hour south of us in Salem, SC. The weather and lake were awesome - kids tubed quite a bit, and there are several waterfalls around the lake to explore and swim to. Rented through Jocassee Outdoor Center, right outside of Devil's Creek state park, and they shuttled us into the park so we didn't have to worry about parking, etc. Hit Dolly's for ice cream in Brevard on our way back to town just before sunset and fireworks.

Day 10 - travel day back.

All in all an incredible trip - would do most of it again in a heartbeat. Thanks to the travel board for recs!