Sapphire
is a small town located within the Nantahala National Forest in the western mountains of North Carolina. It’s near many of the most scenic attractions in the state, with one of the most notable being Gorges State Park. Rugged river gorges, waterfalls and sheer rock walls make up this spectacular park, where the elevation rises 2,000 feet in only four miles. The elevation, combined with rainfall in excess of 80 inches per year, creates a temperate rain forest that supports the greatest concentration of rare and unique species in the eastern U.S. The Whitewater Falls Scenic Area, also near Sapphire, is a spot where the river drops more than 400 feet in a series of waterfalls and cascades. Picnicking is permitted at Whitewater and a point above the falls offers a great view of the mountains and South Carolina Piedmont. Sapphire Valley is also known for its’ top rated ski resort, and other recreation in the area includes hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and golf. The Nantahala River, within the Nantahala National Forest, is one of the country’s best whitewater rafting rivers. The eight-mile trip down the river consists of Class I and Class II rapids, with an optional Class III at the end. Sapphire is near the town of Highlands, known for its’ excellent restaurants, and the quaint mountain communities of Cashiers and Brevard offer art galleries and unique gift shops.
Surrounding areas: Lake Toxaway, North Carolina (4.3 mi), Cashiers, North Carolina (5.3 mi), Lake Glenville, North Carolina (10.5 mi), Highlands, North Carolina (11.6 mi), Cullowhee, North Carolina (17.3 mi), Brevard, North Carolina (17.5 mi), Pisgah Forest, North Carolina (19.9 mi)
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Sapphire Vacation Rentals
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Sapphire Weather & Climate
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The westernnmost mountain region of North Carolina is the smallest of the three main divisions of the state; the Coastal Plain, the Piedmont and the Mountains. However, its%u2019 range of elevation is the greatest; it stretches upward from around 1,500 feet along the eastern boundary to 6,684 feet at the summit of Mt. Mitchell. The climate is definitely effected by elevation. Overall, spring is unpredictable, summer is warm with moderate humidity, autumn is crisp and cool and winters are cold - but moderate. More extreme winter conditions can be expected at the mountain peaks. Showers and thunderstorms are common in spring and summer. Expect temperatures to be 10 to 20 degrees cooler on the mountaintops than in the lower elevations. Although snow in winter is likely, most ski resorts rely on snowmaking equipment because daytime highs can often hover in the 40-degree range.
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| Month |
High Temp |
Low Temp |
Rainfall |
Ocean Temp |
| January |
41°F |
23°F |
8.16 in. |
- |
| February |
46°F |
25°F |
7.16 in. |
- |
| March |
54°F |
31°F |
9.27 in. |
- |
| April |
62°F |
37°F |
6.99 in. |
- |
| May |
69°F |
46°F |
8.54 in. |
- |
| June |
75°F |
52°F |
6.73 in. |
- |
| July |
78°F |
57°F |
7.83 in. |
- |
| August |
76°F |
56°F |
7.74 in. |
- |
| September |
70°F |
50°F |
7.02 in. |
- |
| October |
61°F |
39°F |
6.29 in. |
- |
| November |
52°F |
31°F |
8.63 in. |
- |
| December |
44°F |
26°F |
7.36 in. |
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Sapphire Map & Transportation
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| Click each thumbnail image to enlarge. |
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The closest airports in the area are the Asheville Regional airport (AVL) located about 34 miles northeast of Sapphire in Asheville, North Carolina, the Donaldson Center airport (GYH) located approximately 42 miles southeast of Sapphire in Greenville, South Carolina, the Greenville Spartanburg International airport (GSP) located roughly 46 miles southeast of Sapphire in Greer, South Carolina, and finally the Mc Ghee Tyson airport (TYS) located around 74 miles northwest of Sapphire in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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Sapphire Attractions
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| | | Amusement and Theme Parks |
| Ghost Town in the Sky | Maggie Valley | NC | 28.9 mi. | | | Cherokee Fun Park | Cherokee | NC | 30.9 mi. | | | Santa's Land | Cherokee | NC | 30.9 mi. | | | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge | TN | 56.5 mi. | | | Rockin' Raceway | Pigeon Forge | TN | 56.5 mi. | | | NASCAR SpeedPark | Sevierville | TN | 61.3 mi. | |
| | | Water Parks |
| Lake Lanier Island Beach & Water Park | Lake Lanier Island | GA | 86.9 mi. | | | White Water Park | Marietta | GA | 118.9 mi. | | | Paramount's Carowinds-Water Works | Pineville | NC | 119.5 mi. | |
| | | Golf Courses |
| Trillium Links & Lake Club | Cashiers | NC | 5.5 mi. | | | Highlands Cove | Highlands | NC | 11.9 mi. | | | Connestee Falls Golf Course | Brevard | NC | 18.1 mi. | | | Glen Cannon Country Club | Brevard | NC | 18.1 mi. | | | Sherwood Forest Golf Club | Brevard | NC | 18.1 mi. | | | Franklin Golf Course | Franklin | NC | 22.0 mi. | | | Mill Creek Country Club | Franklin | NC | 22.0 mi. | | | Pickens Country Club | Pickens | SC | 23.3 mi. | | | Blue Ridge Golf Center | Walhalla | SC | 24.2 mi. | | | Falcons Lair Golf Course | Walhalla | SC | 24.2 mi. | | | Lake Junaluska Golf Course | Waynesville | NC | 25.8 mi. | | | Laurel Ridge Country Club | Waynesville | NC | 25.8 mi. | | | Rabun Country Golf Club | Clayton | GA | 27.8 mi. | | | Oconee Country Club | Seneca | SC | 29.0 mi. | |
| | | Ski Areas |
| Scaly Mountain | Scaly Mountain | NC | 18.9 mi. | | | Cataloochee | Maggie Valley | NC | 28.9 mi. | | | Ski Wolf Laurel | Mars Hill | NC | 55.9 mi. | | | Ski Beech | Banner Elk | NC | 96.9 mi. | | | Sugar Mountain Ski Area | Banner Elk | NC | 96.9 mi. | | | Hawksnest Golf & Ski Resort | Seven Devils | NC | 98.0 mi. | |
| | | State Parks |
| Keowee Toxaway State Park | | SC | 14.7 mi. | | | Oconee State Park | | SC | 17.9 mi. | | | Table Rock State Park | | SC | 18.0 mi. | | | Caesars Head State Park | | SC | 22.2 mi. | | | Black Rock Mountain State Park | | GA | 27.1 mi. | | | Pleasant Ridge State Park | | SC | 29.6 mi. | | | Paris Mountain State Park | | SC | 36.6 mi. | | | Moccasin Creek State Park | | GA | 37.6 mi. | |
| | | Museums |
| South Carolina Gold Museum | Pickens | SC | 22.8 mi. | (Miscellaneous) | | Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery | Greenville | SC | 38.7 mi. | (Art) |
| | | Zoos and Aquariums |
| Greenville Zoo | Greenville | SC | 38.7 mi. | | | Western North Carolina Nature Center | Asheville | NC | 42.5 mi. | | | Knoxville Zoological Gardens | Knoxville | TN | 78.5 mi. | |
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