In the Area

Just 25 minutes’ drive northeast of town, Lake Glenville covers over 1400 acres and boasts 26 miles of shoreline. Relax on the public beaches at its northern tip or rent a boat from the family-owned Signal Ridge Marina. In an afternoon, you can visit the three waterfalls that empty into the lake, explore its small uninhabited islands, and stop wherever you please for a refreshing dive into the deep waters.

There are hundreds of miles of fishable rivers in Macon County alone. The experienced guides of Brookings Anglers lead wade and float trips, and provide access to public and private waters teeming with trout and smallmouth bass. Enjoy solitary fishing in exclusive spots or join their full-day school for beginners, covering casting, knot-tying, and fly selection. Book your adventure at their Cashiers office.

Highlands’ unique geography and climate — an elevation of nearly 4,000 feet, 90” of rainfall spread evenly across the months — make for a verdant, ecologically diverse landscape. From April to September, the area bursts with wildflowers. Consult this handy calendar of bloom times or stroll the botanical garden at the Highlands Biological Station, which offers breathtaking views plus educational insights into the local ecosystem.

If you enjoy moving faster than a brisk mountain walk, check out The Highlands Aerial Park, which has been running zipline tours of the forest canopy for more than a decade. Sign up in advance to join a group doing part or all of their eight-line course. And up the road at Highlands Outpost, you can ride what is touted as the state’s longest rollercoaster, the Scaly Mountain Screamer, and take inner tubes down a steep hillside.

Highlands is home to some excellent golf courses. You can easily get out to several public courses in the area. Four that we recommend are Sapphire National Golf Club, Sky Valley Country Club, Kingwood Resort and Winery, The Golf Club at Mill Creek, and Windsor at Walhalla.

With three spaces for rotating exhibitions, a shop with offerings from scores of regional artists, and a short nature and sculpture walk on its grounds, the Bascom is a nice stop for when you need a break from the outdoors. Once a mere gallery in the town library, the center moved to this expanded location, itself a refurbished horse barn, in 2009. Check their schedule in advance to see if any classes or workshops coincide with your stay.