Location: Sapphire
Top Things to do in Sapphire
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Top 5 Nature & Parks in Sapphire, North Carolina (NC)
Sapphire is an unincorporated community in Transylvania County, North Carolina, United States. Sapphire is 5.5 miles (8.9 km) east of Cashiers. Sapphire has a post office with ZIP code 28774.
Restaurants in Sapphire
1. Whitewater Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 442 reviews
A favorite spot for hikers and picnickers, this scenic area features the Whitewater River dropping more than 400 feet in a series of cascading falls.
Reviewed By mhgolf - Decatur, United States
Simply amazing. The best $3 I have paid in quite awhile. This may be the best combination of an easy walk; on a paved walk way to a fabulous waterfall in the world. Just awesome. At the end of the walkway, take the 150 steps down to an even better view.
2. Horsepasture River and Nature Trails
3. Gorges State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 317 reviews
Reviewed By wvlivingston - Brevard, United States
This is one of the most impressive visitor centers that I've seen in any state: impressive architecture with an emphasis on the environment, clean restrooms, plenty of parking, helpful staff. We only go here for the Rainbow Falls/Turtleback Falls Trail. The trail is well maintained, about 4 miles out and back if going to Turtleback. There's another fall further, but it's not that impressive if don't want to go further. The trail is a long descent and then a long ascent both ways -- not excessive, but need to be in pretty good shape. Rainbow Falls is always impressive. If you want to see the "rainbow" pick a sunny day, which are limited as Gorges State Park is a micro-rainforest and can get over 130 inches of rain a year. Do NOT climb on or near this falls -- numerous deaths have occurred here. Turtleback Falls is nice but not as impressive. Despite warnings, often in the summer there will be some climbing and sliding down Turtleback Falls -- not recommended during high water or for those who don't like cold water. Depending on the time of year, there's lots of wildflowers. April 23 we saw trillium, lilies, yellow magwarts, aster and other small flowers. If you want to avoid crowds, avoid weekends and start early. We never go on weekends. When we began hiking on a Friday morning at 9:45, we were the 3rd car in the lot. When we left at 12:15, there were 30 cars in the lot, and this was a cool day.
4. Sapphire Valley Ski Resort
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By SusieKHazan - Hollywood, United States
Our family from Florida had a great time at Sapphire! Key to success is arriving early with the printable online forms complete in order to get your tickets and gear quickly. Our kids’ ski school instructor Marsha was so kind, patient and did an amazing job preparing them for the big slope. We read so many bad reviews on other local ski resorts and were honestly afraid to even try Sapphire and not even bother skiing in NC. But this place was honestly clean, organized, and put together nicely for a small ski resort. Highly recommend!
