The Preserve at Rock Creek is surrounded by many attractions and destinations that will entertain you for hours. Whether you decide to enjoy the local offerings of nearby towns, participate in the myriad of outdoor activities in the area, or simply spend the day on your back deck of your dream home in The Preserve, you and your family will never find yourselves without something fun and adventurous to do. See for yourself what you're missing.
Local Communities
The areas surrounding The Preserve at Rock Creek all offer something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a convenient place to pick up items for your home, a romantic dinner for two, a day of shopping, or a night’s entertainment. The Preserve is conveniently located close to these popular mountain towns and cities.
Cashiers, NC is 12 minutes away for those quick trips. Drive 10 minutes farther down the road and you'll find the upscale village of Highlands, NC. Asheville is considered to be the cultural center of the area as the largest city in Western North Carolina and is less than an hour away. Brevard is about 30 minutes to the east on US Highway 64 and is home to Brevard College.
Activities
Whether you like to ski in the wintertime, or horseback riding on a warm summer day, fun and adventure abound in this area. Everyone in your family is sure to find an activity they enjoy. Some of the more popular activities include camping, biking, hiking, golfing, nature walks, and road touring.
Western North Carolina is known for its abundance of high quality Summer Camps. For generations, families come back with their kids and grandkids to experience the same camp traditions. In Cashiers, since 1919, Camp Merrie-Woode has been recognized as one of the top summer camps for girls in the country.
Don't forget that many of the area towns also hold several festivals throughout the year, and you may even be able to catch a theatrical show. Shopping is always an option in the area, or maybe spending a lazy day on a boat on Sapphire or Hogback Lake.
National Parks & Recreation Areas
The Preserve at Rock Creek is located within the Nantahala National Forest, the largest national forest in North Carolina and home to many waterfalls in this area. There are several activities to enjoy in the Nantahala.
Panthertown Valley, with a diversity of biological species only matched by a plateau high in the Himalayas, is practically in the Preserve at Rock Creek's back yard.
The 469 mile Blue Ridge Parkway is accessible at many points in this area, which is a great way to take in the gorgeous views. With so many things to do you can easily spend a day on the Parkway.
Pisgah National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are all within an hour of the entrance to the Preserve at Rock. With all these recreational areas, and many others, the number of hiking trails and other outdoor activities are too numerous to mention.
The "Land of Waterfalls"
The Preserve at Rock Creek is located on the border of Jackson and Transylvania Counties. Transylvania County is aptly nicknamed the "Land of Waterfalls" since there are over 250 waterfalls in the area. On the Preserve, hiking the Rock Creek Trail will give you the opportunity to enjoy one of them, the beautiful Rock Creek Falls.
When you come to visit, some areas of Jackson County may seem to be familiar to you since a few well-known movies were filmed here -- the most notable of which was The Fugitive.
Climate & Weather
This area has long been an attraction to those seeking relief from oppressive temperatures in the lower elevation piedmont areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The milder summer climate here averages only 78 degrees in July.
With elevations ranging in the area from 3,000' to 5,000', the cooler climate encourages you to come for a visit while making it that much harder to leave. These factors all combine to create a temperate rain forest microclimate that supports rare flowers, spectacular waterfalls, and impressive color displays in the spring and fall.
