Highlands, North Carolina
Highlands is a town of 1,074 people in Jackson County, North Carolina, founded in 1875.
Why visit Highlands
Townapedia lists 11 museums and landmarks, 11 parks and trails, 17 places to eat, 8 places to stay and 29 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Bridal Veil Falls, Dry Falls, Highlands Inn and Baldwin-Coker Cottage.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 78°F; January lows average 24°F.
Weather in Highlands
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Highlands
Highlands is an incorporated town in Macon County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located on a plateau in the southern Appalachian Mountains, within the Nantahala National Forest, it lies mostly in southeastern Macon County and slightly in southwestern Jackson County, in the Highlands and Cashiers Townships, respectively. The permanent population was 1,014 at the 2020 census.
From the Wikipedia article Highlands, North Carolina (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do29
Bridal Veil Falls
Waterfall · 2.2 mi
Waterfall located in the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina, United States
Dry Falls
Waterfall · 2.5 mi
Waterfall in North Carolina, United States
17 more on the map.
Museums and landmarks11
Highlands Inn
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Historic hotel in Highlands, North Carolina.
420 Main Street, Highlands
Baldwin-Coker Cottage
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Highlands, North Carolina, listed on the NRHP in Macon County
Cabin Ben
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Historic house in North Carolina, United States
Edwards Hotel
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Listed on the NRHP in North Carolina
Highlands North Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.4 mi
Historic district in North Carolina, United States
Playmore-Bowery Road Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.2 mi
Historic district in North Carolina, United States
Satulah Mountain Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.8 mi
Historic district in North Carolina, United States
Thomas Grant Harbison House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.7 mi
Highlands, North Carolina, listed on the NRHP in Macon County
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Wilson Log House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.3 mi
Highlands, North Carolina, NRHP-listed
Parks, trails and playgrounds11
Brushy Face Preserve
Hiking and trails · 1.3 mi
A relatively new Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust public property with hiking trails through old growth forests.
Pineland Dr, Highlands
Dixon Park
Park · 1.9 mi
Owned by the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust. This quiet park has some of the flattest hiking in Highlands and a small pond with picnic table.
Bowery Road, Highlands
Kelsey-Hutchinson Park
Park
Public park & meeting area with art, pavilion, ice skating (in winter), etc. Owned by the Town of Highlands.
Ravenel Park
Park · 0.8 mi
Home of Sunset Rock. Owned by Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust since 1914.
Rhododendron Park
Park · 0.9 mi
Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust owned property on Big Bearpen Mountain in Highlands with public trails and views.
Satulah Mountain Preserves
Hiking and trails · 1.2 mi
Owned by the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, the Satulah Mountain Preserves have 280 degree views, public trails, and provides habitat...
Restaurants and cafes17
Highlands Burrito
Restaurant · Mexican
226 South 4th Street, Highlands
Mo-Th 11:00-15:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-20:00
Highlands Smokehouse
Restaurant · Barbecue · 0.7 mi
595 Franklin Road, Highlands
Mo 11:00-20:00; We-Sa 11:00-20:00; Su 11:00-19:00
5 more on the map.
History
Highlands was founded in 1875 after its two founders, Samuel Truman Kelsey and Clinton Carter Hutchinson, drew lines from Chicago to Savannah and from New Orleans to New York City. They felt that the place where these lines met would eventually become a great trading center and commercial crossroads. Highlands was named for its lofty elevation.
In the 1930s the town became a golfing mecca when Bobby Jones of Atlanta and some of his well-heeled golfing buddies founded the Highlands Country Club.
Today that club is one of seven successful residential country club communities in the area. The Highlands Country Club is south of Highlands on Dillard Road (North Carolina Highway 106).
From the History section of Highlands, North Carolina on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay8
Churches and places of worship10
Church of the Incarnation
Church · National Register of Historic Places
First Presbyterian Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places
Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church
Church · Catholic
315 North 5th Street, Highlands
Shopping4
Gas and EV charging1
Schools, colleges and libraries2
Healthcare1
Map of Highlands
94 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42°F | 24°F | 8.0 in | 2.6 in |
| Feb | 46°F | 26°F | 6.9 in | 2.0 in |
| Mar | 54°F | 32°F | 7.6 in | 1.8 in |
| Apr | 62°F | 39°F | 7.0 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 69°F | 47°F | 6.6 in | 0.2 in |
| Jun | 75°F | 54°F | 7.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 78°F | 58°F | 7.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 76°F | 57°F | 7.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 71°F | 51°F | 8.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 62°F | 41°F | 6.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 53°F | 32°F | 7.8 in | 0.1 in |
| Dec | 45°F | 27°F | 8.7 in | 3.5 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Highlands Hcn (0 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Jackson County has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2026-01-24: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2024-09-28: Tropical Storm Helene (Tropical Storm)
- 2024-09-26: Hurricane Helene (Tropical Storm)
- 2022-10-01: Hurricane Ian (Hurricane)
- 2021-09-08: Remnants Of Tropical Storm Fred (Hurricane)
- 2020-08-02: Hurricane Isaias (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Angel Medical Center Heliport (93NC) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 14 miles away.
- Franklin 14 mi northwest, about 22 min by car
- Mountain City 14 mi southwest, about 22 min by car
- Clayton 17 mi southwest, about 27 min by car
- Cullowhee 18 mi north, about 28 min by car
- Bryson City 29 mi northwest, about 47 min by car
- Brevard 30 mi northeast, about 48 min by car
- Cherokee 30 mi north, about 49 min by car
- Waynesville 32 mi north, about 51 min by car
- Toccoa 33 mi south, about 54 min by car
- Clemson 34 mi southeast, about 54 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Greetings from Highlands, North Carolina, The Roof Garden of the Southeast - Large Letter Postcard (8876747917), Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0
- The town of Highlands, North Carolina, in Macon County 01, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- A Kilwins Chocolates and ice cream shop interior in Highlands, North Carolina 01, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- A Kilwins Chocolates and ice cream shop exterior in Highlands, North Carolina 02, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- A Kilwins Chocolates and ice cream shop interior in Highlands, North Carolina 04, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- A Kilwins Chocolates and ice cream shop interior in Highlands, North Carolina 03, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- Highlands, United States (Unsplash), Frances Gunn francesgunn, CC0
- The town of Highlands, North Carolina, in Macon County 02, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- The town of Highlands, North Carolina, in Macon County 07, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- The town of Highlands, North Carolina, in Macon County 05, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- The town of Highlands, North Carolina, in Macon County 04, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- Street in Highlands, NC - panoramio, Jon Platek, CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Highlander newspaper headquarters in Highlands, North Carolina, at 134 N 5th St, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- The Highlander newspaper office in Highlands, North Carolina, at 134 N 5th St, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- First Presbyterian Church, 471 Main St,, Highlands, NC - 02, Brian Williams (bw7495), CC BY-SA 3.0
- First Presbyterian Church, 471 Main St, Highlands, NC - 01, Brian Williams (bw7495), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Church of the Incarnation, 111 N. 5th St, Highlands, NC, Brian Williams (bw7495), CC BY-SA 3.0
- The town of Highlands, North Carolina, in Macon County 03, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- The town of Highlands, North Carolina, in Macon County 06, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- A Spinx gas station and convenience store in Highlands, North Carolina 02, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- A Spinx gas station and convenience store in Highlands, North Carolina 01, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- The town of Highlands, North Carolina, in Macon County 08, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- The town of Highlands, North Carolina, in Macon County 09, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- South NC 106-Highlands, Washuotaku, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Oconee-Bells-Highlands-Biological-Station, Matthew Timothy Bradley, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cabin Ben - 115 Cullasaja Dr, Highlands, NC - Front, Brian Williams (bw7495), CC BY-SA 3.0
- HIGHLANDS INN, MACON COUNTY NC, Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD, CC BY-SA 3.0
- OLD EDWARDS INN, HIGHLANDS, MACON COUNTY, NC, Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD, CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Wilson Log House is a historic home in Macon County, North Carolina near Highlands. 03, Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
- Nantahala Bridal Veil Falls, Washuotaku, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Dry Falls2, Zhans33, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fog devouring a forest (Unsplash), Frances Gunn francesgunn, CC0
- Plethodon metcalfi 319108933, Tayton Alvis, CC BY 4.0
- Trichopetalum dickbrucei, Lance Andrew, CC BY 4.0
- Plethodon metcalfi 319356438, Tayton Alvis, CC BY 4.0
- Oconee Bell (Shortia galacifolia var. galacifolia) blossom, Matthew Timothy Bradley, CC BY-SA 4.0
- LEGO 7897 City Passenger Train - 2006 - (1), Josh Hallett from Winter Haven, FL, USA, CC BY 2.0
- IPod Nano (335579833), Josh Hallett from Winter Haven, FL, USA, CC BY 2.0
- LEGO 7897 City Passenger Train - 2006 - (2), Josh Hallett from Winter Haven, FL, USA, CC BY 2.0
- LEGO 7897 City Passenger Train - 2006, Josh Hallett from Winter Haven, FL, USA, CC BY 2.0
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