5 Super Cool things about Highlands, North Carolina
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Hike to the middle viewing area at Glen Falls to watch — and listen to — water cascade down 60 feet of bedrock.
Some towns keep their magic tucked away.
Perhaps you have to stay awhile to find it. The magic doesn’t reveal itself to weekend warriors.
Maybe it feels like it’s only for locals. If you’re not in the know, it’s not for you.
Highlands, North Carolina, doesn’t play those games. Which is probably why Travel + Leisure magazine named it America's Best Small Mountain Town in 2023.
The magic here is so palpable, you’ll feel it before you even arrive.
Actually, you’ll see it. The scenery on the curvy stretch of U.S. Highway 64 into town is almost surreal — it’s also first on my list of Super Cool things about Highlands.
Let’s get rollin’.
5 reasons why you’ll love Highlands, North Carolina
1 Getting there is part of the adventure
I took this photo of Bridal Veil Falls through Camper Van Beethoven’s windshield. The 60-foot waterfall is one of the many wow moments on the dive into Highlands.
A dramatic arrival? Highlands delivers. But I’m talking drama in a good way — unless you’re scared of heights or your stomach takes a turn every time the road does.
The most scenic way into town is the approach from Franklin, North Carolina (2,047 feet elevation), on Hwy 64, also known as the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway.
The scenery’s a little so-so at first, but just wait. About 12 miles southeast of Franklin, the views absolutely pop. The forested drive follows the Cullasaja River through a winding gorge filled with sheer drop-offs, imposing mountain walls and rushing waterfalls.
There’s even a waterfall on the far shoulder along one steep stretch. Bridal Veil, falling 60 feet from an overhanging bluff, comes into view as you round a bend.
You can stop and walk behind the falls if you like. If the paved walking path seems to resemble a road, that’s because it was.
When Hwy 64 was first built in the late 1920s, it went under the bluff and behind Bridal Veil Falls. But today, it’s only for foot traffic.
In the late 1950s, Hwy 64 was rerouted in front of the falls due to falling rocks and icy winter conditions.
It’s a magical drive, but there’s an important caveat. If your vehicle is longer than 25ish feet, taking Hwy 64 into Highlands is absolutely not for you.
Skip this route altogether and find another approach. It’ll still be a pretty drive. You’re in the Blue Ridge Mountains, after all.
2 Being there feels special
Get a bird’s-eye view of Highlands, the Nantahala National Forest and the Blue Ridge Mountains from the top of Sunset Rock. The popular hike on the southeast edge of town is about 1.4 miles out and back.
That magic you felt on the drive in? It doesn’t stop once you leave the scenic byway and head into town.
There’s little wonder why.
Highlands (4,118 feet) is among the top five towns with the highest elevation east of the Mississippi River.
It’s situated on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in a temperate rainforest within the Nantahala National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains. I don’t love a run-on sentence, but Highlands makes it a little hard to avoid.
This is North Carolina’s High Country.
And about that temperate rain forest, sometimes called the Appalachian Cloud Forest. It can mean more rain but also cooler temps — even in summer. It’s one of only two in the entire U.S. The other’s in the Pacific Northwest.
Like I said, it feels special here.
3 Downtown feels straight out of a storybook
With its red door, lancet windows, roof finials and circular bell tower, the Church of the Incarnation looks like something straight out of a storybook. Parts of the building date back to 1886.
Take that idyllic mountain setting and add several blocks of charming boutiques, art galleries, cafés, hotels and restaurants, and you have downtown Highlands.
The main stretch is only 4 blocks long, yet it’s far from a blink-and-miss-it situation. For one, the traffic (both pedestrian and vehicle) and the parking-spot hunt require a slow roll through town.
For another, small details catch your interest and pull you in. From the moody teal of the Highlander Mountain House to the peppy red-and-white striped awning of Highlands Pizza Place to the inviting courtyard between Silver Eagle Gallery and Kilwins ice cream and chocolate.
It just looks like a place you want to stop and explore. Not a place to blow right past.
My favorite section? Just past the main drag, to the southeast.
Mountain Fresh Grocery is full of delicious cheese, wine and snacks, and they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Across from that, Church of the Incarnation delivers a stop-and-stare architectural moment with its Victorian Gothic Revival style. It’s also a little quieter and less crowded down this way.
4 Waterfalls in every direction
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A short walk leads to one of Highlands' coolest experiences: Passing behind Dry Falls as hundreds of gallons of water — perhaps thousands after a heavy rain — thunder overhead.
Take any of the four main roads out of town, and you’ll eventually come across a waterfall. If not right on the main road, then within a turn or two.
You probably can’t go wrong with any of them. But for your Highlands itinerary, I recommend Dry Falls and Glen Falls. Both are within 3.5 miles of town, have a significant drop and are fairly easy to access, meaning there’s an established trail system to get there.
Dry Falls
Dry Falls is easily the more accessible of the two. Right off Hwy 64, the 75-footer invites viewing from a wooden platform near the parking area and, if you’re able to navigate stairs, a more immersive experience with a path that takes you behind the falls.
It’s so satisfying to hear that roar from up-close and to peer through the falling water to the world beyond. You might get a little wet, even though the name Dry Falls nods to being able to walk behind the falls without doing so.
The walk is less than 0.3 mile out and back.
Glen Falls
Glen Falls is different. It’s a more strenuous trek, about 2 miles total out and back if you want to see all three of the visible segments. There’s nowhere to get a look at all 600 feet of this waterfall system at once.
You’ll start at the top, where you can view a drop of about 70 feet. Be sure to also check out the view across North Carolina’s Blue Valley and, on a clear day, all the way to Georgia.
Continue down the trail to the middle drop, about 60 feet, and then to the lower drop, about 15 feet, and small collection pool. Some say to skip the lower section and save yourself an even longer return climb. But if you’re able, why not hit all three viewpoints so the trek feels complete. Of course, I’ll leave that up to you.
Glen Falls is about 3.3 miles from Highlands. Take North Carolina Highway 106 to Glen Falls Road. The final 1 mile or so is on gravel.
5 Festivals turn the mountains into a celebration
Highlands may have skipped our notice if it weren’t for Bear Shadow music festival, which first drew us to the area in 2023. I now consider it one of my all-time favorite camper van destinations.
Music, flowers, fishing, fashion. For every reason and every season, it would seem, there’s a celebration in Highlands.
Spring in Highlands
Springtime hits with the 3 River Fly Fishing Festival in late April / early May. The tournament kicks off with a cocktail party and then continues over the next three days. Fifty teams, including women-only groups, can register to compete.
High Style hosts a fashion show, art demonstrations, classes, such as cocktail and floral design, and musical performances over the course of a single day in mid-May.
Late May brings the three-day Bear Shadow music festival, with performers like Margo Price and the Fruit Bats filling a scenic mountain valley with good tunes. VIP, single-day and three-day ticket options are typically available.
Summer in Highlands
Summer means the Twilight 5k, Highlands Motoring Festival, Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival and Mountaintop Art & Craft Shows.
It’s also the time when Highlands’ population swells from just over 1,000 people (2020 U.S. Census) to more than 20,000.
Fall in Highlands
Fall pops with the Dazzling Dahlia Festival, Highlands-Cashiers Film Festival and a pair of music events.
Highlands Heritage Jamboree is billed as an afternoon of traditional dancing, music and moonshine.
Porchfest invites you to stroll through town catching live performances at various venues, including parks, churches, inns and shops.
Winter in Highlands
Winter quiets down but not before Highlands goes all out for the holidays. There’s an ice-skating rink, holiday market, Christmas parade, lighting of the menorah and breakfast with Santa.
Plus, the Mountain Theatre Company puts on a festive seasonal musical.
Some annual events might take a hiatus or stop running altogether. Be sure to check their sites or socials for the latest info before you plan a trip around an event in Highlands.
Find a place to stay in Highlands, North Carolina
A bougie campground walking distance from downtown, historic inns on the main drag and charming vacation homes — Highlands, North Carolina, has lodging options for all types of travelers. We’ve looked around a bit to help kickstart your search.
Let’s start with campgrounds and campsites, because that’s where we stay when we travel.
Where to camp in or near Highlands, North Carolina
Bonnie and Clyde were delighted at the lush grass next to our campsite at Highlands Hidden Creek RV Resort, a small boutique campground requiring a three-night stay.
Highlands Hidden Creek RV Resort — 5 full-hookup RV sites (class A, B or C only)
4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Maps
Walk to downtown in about 15 minutes
WiFi, lounge, laundry, bathroom with shower, outdoor kitchen
Pet-friendlyVan Hook Glade Campground — 10 nonelectric sites
4.5 out of 5 stars on Google Maps
Drive to downtown in about 12 minutes
Bathrooms and showers
Pet-friendlyBlue Valley Dispersed Campground — 22 nonelectric sites
4.6 out of 5 stars on Google Maps
Drive to downtown in about 25 minutes
Pit toilet
Pet-friendly
Top-rated vacation homes in Highlands, North Carolina
Addresses are private until a reservation is made.
Oak Street Courtyard apartment — sleeps 2
10 out of 10 rating on VRBO
Walk to downtown in less than 5 minutes
Pet-friendlyCharming forest cottage — sleeps 4
10 out of 10 rating on VRBO
Walk to downtown in 20 minutes
Pet-friendlyStylish home nestled in the woods — sleeps 5
10 out of 10 rating on VRBO
Drive to downtown in 5 minutes
Pet-friendlyHistoric millhouse — sleeps 12
10 out of 10 rating on VRBO
Drive to downtown in 3 minutes
Pet-friendly
Hotel rooms in Highlands, North Carolina
Highlander Mountain House — rooms for up to 2 people
8.6 out of 10 rating on Expedia
In the heart of downtown
Pet-friendlyTrailborn Highlands (Marriott Bonvoy) — rooms for up to 4 people
9.2 out of 10 rating on Expedia
Walk to downtown in 10 minutes
Pet-friendlyOutpost Inn — rooms for up to 2 people
8.8 out of 10 rating on Expedia
Walk to downtown in 15 minutes
Pet-friendlyThe Skyline Lodge — rooms for up to 4 people
8.8 out of 10 rating on Expedia
Drive to downtown in 10 minutes
Pet-friendly
What to pack when you visit Highlands, North Carolina
Highlands is part posh mountain town and part outdoor adventure paradise. You may want to pack clothes that suit both paradigms. But honestly, I wouldn’t worry about the posh side too much, unless that just so happens to be your vibe.
A cute sundress with sneakers or sandals — or shorts and a polo — is great for walking around town in warmer weather. For dinner, just add a sweater.
When it’s cooler out, switch to nice jeans and a cute top. And don’t forget a weather-appropriate jacket or coat.
If you plan to hike or otherwise get outdoorsy, UPF tops, pants and shorts are a great option for comfort and sun protection.
We’ve made it easy for you to pack with our RockPorch collection. Browse or shop our suggestions for what to wear in Highlands now!
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Highlands, North Carolina, is a two-stoplight town in the Blue Ridge Mountains — and that tells you everything about why you should visit. It’s just the right size of mountain destination.
Small enough to still feel like it’s part of the nature all around it. There’s even a fairly easy hike within the city limits that takes you to two stunning viewpoints, Sunset Rock and Sunrise Rock.
Out-of-the-way enough to feel like an inviting escape where you can slow down and linger. Yet big enough that there are more restaurants, shops and cafés than you’re likely to visit in a single weekend.
If you love charming small towns, the mountains and the outdoors, I can’t think why you wouldn’t love Highlands.
