Deep in the heart of the mountains of Western North Carolina, you’ll find the town of Highlands. It’s a location that draws visitors from all across the southeast, thanks to its charming downtown, wonderful waterfalls, and a slice of solitude for those wanting a mountain adventure without the hustle of the Smokies. Highlands, NC is a year-round destination, so I thought I’d highlight that with my very own seasonal guide to Highlands.
I’ll be breaking down everything you should do for fall, winter, spring or summer in one of North Carolina’s best mountain destinations! You’ll also get a couple of tips on what to do in the wider area as well with insights into nearby Franklin, Cashiers, and Sapphire as well!
Fall is for Leaf Peeping
Without a doubt, the best time of year is Fall in Highlands. Like much of North Carolina, the vibrant fall colors take center stage throughout the month of October. It’ll be a busy time to take a trip, but if you want to see Highlands at it’s finest this is the time to do it.
What to do in Highlands during the fall all centers around being outdoors. Hiking is a major activity for those who want to enjoy a slow-paced walk in the woods, or challenge their physical fitness. If you’re up for adventure, then consider hiking to the Yellow Mountain Fire Tower. This is normally a 12mi hike up the mountain, however, you can follow the advice of this Redditor and park at a “hidden” location which will make the hike just over a mile! Alternatively, consider the more popular Whiteside Mountain Trail where you can see the iconic Shadow of the Bear!
For those not quite so interested in hiking during fall in Highlands are still in luck. It’s an amazing time to take a drive along the twisting and winding mountain rounds which surround the town. You can take on a stunning loop north of town by heading up to Lake Glenville, via Cashiers, then back south along Pine Creek and Walnut Creek Roads. Alternatively, a drive down Dillard Road features a number of excellent overlooks including the Sky Valley Overlook.
Highlands also host an annual Food & Wine Festival every November. This is a bit late in the season for any leaf peeping in the area, but should certainly be on your list of what to do in Highlands if you’re visiting when it happens. Local events like this are a wonderful way to enjoy a town like Highlands the way locals do!
A Tiny Winter Wonderland
Perhaps no season is quite as unpredictable as winter in Highlands. The town and surrounding mountains get their fair share of snow throughout the winter months, but it’s never a guarantee when it’ll come or for how long it might stick to the ground. However, this doesn’t mean Highlands isn’t a great time during those chilly months.
For families looking for a way to enjoy winter activities with the kids, then check out the Highlands Outpost along Dillard Road. No matter if mother nature is cooperating with the snow or not, the Outpost has got you covered. With snow tubing and ice skating on site, it’s an excellent way to spend a few hours. There is also ice skating in town at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park if you’re not wanting to venture far from your cozy confines.
If snow tubing isn’t quite thrilling enough for you, then you’ll have two different options that aren’t too far away. Ski Sapphire Valley is just 25 minutes away, but is just a single small run. Cataloochee Ski Area is 90 minutes north, with a much more robust skiing area and one of the best quiet spots in Great Smoky Mountains National Park nearby.
No good seasonal guide to Highlands would be complete without giving you all the details on holiday events in town. Highlands celebrates the season in style, lighting up the park on the Thanksgiving after Christmas. The following weekend usually features the town Christmas Parade and a BBQ lunch after! It’s a wonderful time to come to town!
Thawing Out for Spring
As the chill winds of winter leave the mountains, Highlands transitions from “stick season” and into a vibrant explosion of greenery. Mornings for much of the spring remain cool, but each day heats up a little more making for all kinds of weather to enjoy the outdoors.
I personally find spring to be one of the best times for hiking at sunrise. The time change into Daylight Saving Time means sunrises are just a little later, but will again progress to earlier in the day as you move to summer. Highlands can be a great base for sunrise hikes. You can head out to Sunrise Rock just outside of town for a quick hike. Alternatively, consider driving in the dark to watch the sunrise over Lake Glenville, the highest lake east of the Rockies!
Wildflowers and other blooming plants take center stage during Spring in Highlands. If you can snag a tour of the Southern Highlands Reserve, then you’ll be in for a special treat. However, these tours go fast, so get on the waitlist or reserve very early. If you can’t snag a tour there, then check out the Highlands Biological Station Botanical Garden trails to get that garden experience in.
Spring in Highlands is a fantastic time for hiking, especially when wildflowers begin to bloom. Panthertown Valley is an exceptional hiking destination, with over 30 miles of trails to explore. If you’ve gone out to Lake Glenville for sunrise, then add a hike to High (Cullowhee) Falls and be prepared for a workout!
Beating the Summertime Heat
If you’re spending summer in Highlands, then you’re going to want to find plenty of ways to stay cool. While the mountains aren’t as hot as the lower elevations in the state, it can still get pretty steamy most afternoons.
My #1 suggestion for cooling off is to explore one of the many swimming holes surrounding town. My personal favorite is at Silver Run Falls, just south of nearby Cashiers. An amazing waterfall cascades into a brisk, cold pool which is perfect for swimming. The rocks surrounding the pool at great for perching on to warm back up or enjoy a little picnic! Just be aware that parking is minimal, so show up early! Alternatively, drive up to the Pines Recreation Area at Lake Glenville to enjoy a mountain beach experience!
Another way to beat the heat during the summer in Highlands is by spending some time indoors. Main Street in Highlands is a fantastic shopping district full of unique stores. You can walk along the street and pop into whichever draw your attention to enjoy some A/C and local wares. I’d also recommend checking out what’s happening at The Bascom. This is a wonderful art gallery that’s free to visit! Plus, they regularly hold art classes for adults and kids which can be an excellent way for the whole family to spend a day!
The summertime fun doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down. Highlands is a great base of operations for stargazing in Western North Carolina. There are a number of excellent locations, like Whiteside Mountain, which can provide clear views of the night sky. Summer in Highlands is the best part of the year to see the Milky Way in the midnight sky.
June also features along fantastic festival with the Highlands Motoring Festival! Visitors to town can enjoy stunning classic cars, gleaming in the summer sun. If you happen to have one of your own, you can even enter it into the event and enjoy driving the winding roads around town with others!
Where to Stay in Each Season
No seasonal guide to Highlands would be complete with a few recommendations on where to stay. Of course, each season has it’s own best options for lodging including hotels, motels, resorts, and even campgrounds!
For visitors coming to see Fall in Highlands, I strongly recommend camping. It’ll be the best way for you to enjoy the fall colors as they spread across the nearby mountains. The weather will begin to cool, making it even more enjoyable to be outside. A more rugged and primitive experience can be had for free at the Blue Valley Campground, if that’s your style. If a lack of bathrooms is an issue, then check out the Van Hook Glade Campground along US 64. It is the closest to Highlands and has everything you need for a peaceful camping trip.
Winter in Highlands can get pretty cold at night, so you’ll want to find a nice warm bed to spend the night in. I think it’s also a great time to be close to downtown, to enjoy everything the holidays bring to Highlands. Highlands Vacation Rentals can hook you up with a spot right in the heart of town or within walking distance. You can also really treat yourself with a stay at the Old Edwards Inn & Spa, especially if you’re visiting for a destination Christmas, New Year’s, or Valentine’s Day!
Spring in Highlands is considered a “shoulder” season, which means you can often find hotels offering discounts for visitors. Taking advantage of these cheaper prices can let you stay at the best hotels in Highlands, for a far more reasonable rate. You can stay right on Main Street at the Highlander Mountain House for under $200. If you happen to be a Marriott Bonvoy member, then you could check out Trailborn Highlands, which is a Marriott partner and offers some of the best deals in town!
Summer in Highlands begs for you to spend more time surrounded by the great outdoors, and I think a great way to do that is by finding a cabin to rent. Bringing the whole family into town for a summer vacation trip means you’ll want the extra space that a traditional hotel can’t provide. VRBO can be a great option to find these in the surrounding area, including places like this wonderful cabin that’s perfect for the whole family!
Exploring Beyond Highlands, NC
As we have already explored a bit of Franklin and Cashiers when talking about what to do in Highlands, this section will explore even further afield. Highlands has fairly easy access to a number of other towns in the tri-state area including Brevard, Murphy, and Cherokee/Bryson City in North Carolina; Hiawassee, Helen, and Tallulah Falls in Georgia; and Clemson, South Carolina. Each of these locations are around an hour drive, which is plenty close to allow you to setup base in Highlands.
Of the other towns in North Carolina to spend some time in Brevard and Cherokee are the best options. Cherokee stands as the gateway into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the center of Cherokee culture in their native lands. I highly recommend checking out the Museum of the Cherokee People, which offers a fascinating exploration of the history of the original peoples of that area. Brevard is one of my favorite small towns in America. We make a trip their nearly every year, and the best time to visit is during the White Squirrel Weekend in May.
Georgia is also another highly accessible place to explore from Highlands NC. There are plenty of pros and cons to visiting Helen, but I still think its worth checking out if you’ve got the time. A spot that I’d definitely make time for is Tallulah Gorge. We explored much of the canyons here a few years ago, and I’ve been wanting to plan a trip back there for a while. Perhaps on our next trip to Highlands, we can make some time to see Tallulah again.
Final Tips for What to do in Highlands, NC
This seasonal guide to Highlands really just scratches the surface of everything this little mountain town has to offer. It’s a very popular destination for visitors across the southeast who want to get away for a little while. One of my final tips when planning your trip to Highlands is to target the middle of the week. It’s so easy to get here that weekend trips are easy, meaning it can get busy or expensive to visit. Weekday stays mean you’ll have the trails more open, hotels a little cheaper, and an overall more relaxing experience.
If this post has helped you plan your next trip and you’d like to help me continue writing and travelling I’d greatly appreciate your support. Following me on social media will help you stay in touch, or you can get a free custom itinerary by signing up for my newsletter!
Don’t Forget to Pin by Using the Images Below!
Leave a Reply