The Crossroads of Great Riding—Cashiers, NC
Cashiers is a small North Carolina town near the state’s southern border with a population of only a few hundred people. And it’s one of the best places to point your front wheel.
The town sits at the intersection of multiple first-rate motorcycle roads. Whether you’re after world-renowned asphalt or hidden diamonds, Cashiers is your gateway to a ride you won’t soon forget.
It’s all thanks to Cashiers’ location a stone’s throw from the tri-state corner between the Carolinas and Georgia. You can easily launch yourself into a motorcycle adventure in any (or all) of them.
What’s more, Cashiers is on top of a 3,500-foot plateau. Its high altitude awards comfortably cool temperatures, making it a prime summer riding destination, while also providing memorable scenery with steep passes and wide-ranging vistas from many lookouts.
But as great as the riding is, make sure you’ve packed your hiking boots in your saddlebags. The best sights in the area will require a short walk, but they’re worth it.
The primary attraction around Cashiers (besides the wonderful roads) is waterfalls—waterfalls everywhere. There are too many for me to list all of them, but some of the best-known ones include Secret Falls, Whitewater Falls, and Gorges State Park’s Rainbow and Turtleback waterfalls.
That said, if you don’t want to or can’t hike, you can still get in on waterfall gawking along US 64/Highlands Rd. Right by this road is a series of beautiful waterfalls, Sequoyah Falls, Bridal Veil Falls (which may disappear during dry weather), and Dry Falls.
Should you want to flow with the water on a warm summer’s day, pay a visit to Cashiers Sliding Rock (which is located on the fun Whiteside Cove Rd). This natural rock slide is part of a popular swimming hole. It’s a great way to freshen up, although be prepared for crowds of families.
Riders who want to enjoy water without being in it can stop by Lake Glenville. This large reservoir has good hiking paths along its shores, while anglers can delight in catching small- and largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, trout, and other fish. You could also book a seat on a cruise boat to see, you guessed it, waterfalls that flow into the lake.
In Cashiers itself, make sure to attend the Plein Air outdoor art festival, organized on the village green every summer. There are also music shows, antiques fairs, and other events, so it’s worth checking what’s going on when you’re in town.
Cashiers Farmers Market has been selling local produce, food, and farm goods for 30 years and is still going strong. Fill your panniers with delicacies and make sure to grab some barbecue for lunch. The town also has small shops and boutiques for you to check out.
Once you’ve prowled through Cashiers, head over to nearby Highlands and Sapphire for more. In Highlands, for instance, you’ll find The Bascom, a local center for the arts where you can attend exhibits and even art classes.
Last but not least, 30 minutes from Cashiers is Lake Toxaway, the largest privately owned lake in North Carolina. It has been a vacation resort since the 1890s, and it has a fascinating history which includes a devastating flood that destroyed the entire community in 1916. You can get access to the lake’s facilities by booking a stay at the Greystone Inn or a vacation rental, but the lakeside also has excellent restaurants.
From Cashiers, you can also get within one riding day to other fantastic locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Really, with everything at your fingertips, you might find yourself asking why you would ride anywhere else.
Facts & Info
Nearby Attractions
- Waterfalls
- Lake Glenville
- Highlands, NC
- Lake Toxaway
- The Bascom
Nearby Roads
You can take any road out of Cashiers and you’re in for plenty of fun motorcycling. Virtually all the roads in this area are curvy mountain ribbons with great views. If there’s a place for aimless moto wandering, this is it.
The big named road in the area is Moonshiner 28, a 112-mile route from Deals Gap to Walhalla, SC along SR 28. It's a thrilling, twisty ride that passes through Highlands near Cashiers, allowing you to easily hop on for a ride.
Between Highlands and Franklin, Moonshiner 28 follows US 64. This is where you’ll find many of the aforementioned roadside waterfalls. Even if you’re not doing the entire Moonshiner, this section warrants a ride.
If you’d like to do some independent route planning, I can wholeheartedly recommend a jaunt along SR 107, NC SR 281, and SC SR 130. It’s easy to connect these roads into a fun loop that takes you to Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee, alongside many scenic state parks in South Carolina.
The aforementioned Whiteside Cove Rd is also a ride you shouldn’t miss. This narrow and curvy road is a true hidden gem. It also goes by the Cashiers Sliding Rock.
The Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, and others are also only a couple of hours away from Cashiers.
Food & Dining
Due to its popularity among riders and travelers, Cashiers has an excellent dining scene. Despite the town’s small size, it and its surrounding areas are full of excellent restaurants.
Whiteside Brewing Company is one of the town’s most popular restaurants. The microbrewery offers its own creations for post-ride refreshments while also serving great pub grub. Find it at 128 SR 107, Cashiers, NC.
For a quick lunch, you can head to Cashiers Farmers Market, which runs a takeout barbeque restaurant On the Side literally on the side. Another option is the Cornucopia, a lunch joint serving soups, salads, and sandwiches while also housing a cheese shop. Find Cashiers Farmers Market at 78 US 64, Cashiers, and Cornucopia at 16 Cashiers School Rd, Cashiers.
For dinner, you can head to Cashiers Celtic Table, which serves Irish delicacies at 341 US 64, Cashiers.
If you’re out around Lake Toxaway, don’t miss grabbing a bit at the Grand Olde Station Restaurant. Housed in a historical train depot, it prepares excellent local fish and seafood among other tasty treats. This is one of our publisher’s favorite restaurants—enough said. Find it at 502 Blue Ridge Rd, Lake Toxaway, NC.
Best Time to Travel
Riding trips to Cashiers are at their best in the summer. Thanks to its high elevation, the temperatures are cooler than elsewhere in North Carolina, making for comfortable riding and hiking. That said, the tourist season is also at its busiest in the summer.
Another excellent and less crowded time to visit is in late fall, when the leaves turn orange and red. Peak color in this region of North Carolina arrives in late October and early November. Just be aware that you may get early surprise snow in the mountains.