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Blue Ridge Fast Facts Area and camp information

Latest update on March 14, 2021.

930 miles by car from Deerfoot Adirondack (A) to Deerfoot Blue Ridge (B).

Southern Mountains

Many members of the Deerfoot community know the Adirondacks well, but may know little about western North Carolina.

The purpose of this presentation is to peel back some of the mystery and introduce you to the unique area that is the home to Deerfoot Blue Ridge.

Deerfoot Blue Ridge is in mountainous Jackson County of North Carolina.
It is a land of lush forests, waterfalls, and curvy roads. The Eastern Continental Divide separates waters between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

Focus on Jackson County

Southern Jackson County is shaded blue.
  • Deerfoot Blue Ridge - the 340 acre property includes Trout Lake. It is located just east of Lake Glenville, the highest large lake in the Appalachian Mountain Range.
  • Glenville, NC - the closest hamlet to Deerfoot Blue Ridge, on the shores of Lake Glenville.
  • Cashiers, NC - the nearest significant community to Deerfoot Blue Ridge.
  • Highlands, NC - located in neighboring Macon County, this is the largest community on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

Some History

  • This area was part of the Cherokee Nation until 1819.
  • In 1540, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto became the first European known to pass through the region.
  • Settlers started populating the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in the 1830's.
  • Early economic activities included agriculture (notably cabbage), gold mining, and eventually hospitality as a vacation destination.

Statistics

  • Average Annual Rainfall: 90.5 inches. The area is a temperate rain forest with occasional heavy rains that clear quickly.
  • Average July Temperatures: High of 78 degrees, low of 59 degrees. The highs are often 10-15 degrees cooler than in Southeastern urban areas.
  • Average January Temperatures: High of 42 degrees and a low of 23 degrees.
  • Elevations: 3,500 feet on the shore of Trout Lake, with many local mountains around 5,000 feet. The highest peak along the eastern seaboard is North Carolina's Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet.
  • Jackson County has about 40,000 permanent residents, of which about 2,000 reside in the Cashiers area.

What to Expect

We would like to introduce you to Cashiers, Highlands, and the hamlet of Glenville...

Cashiers

The Four Corners of Cashiers

Bucks Coffee – where business gets done in in town.
Village green.
Country store.
Gas station/convenience store.
Adjoining the four corners is the Highland Hiker, with everything campers and hikers need to take advantage of the beautiful area. A nearby Radio Shack can be a lifesaver for forgotten electronic items.

More on Cashiers

Although the name of the town is spelled the same way as the check-out clerks in a store, it is pronounced "cashers" (rhymes with "mashers").

The Ingles supermarket contains a Starbucks and good selection of groceries.
Wendy's and Subway are the two national fast food chains in town.
Cornucopia and other restaurants offer something for everyone, including places for excellent pizza and Mexican food.
A mountain-styled Hampton Inn and motels of all types provide a wide range of accommodations.
And there are banks and ATM's.

Highlands

Situated at over 4,000 feet, Highlands was founded in the late 1800's as a tourist destination. It is the largest town in the area with several blocks of shops and restaurants, and numerous places to stay.

Scenes from Highlands. Notable are a regional hospital and a variety of churches.

Glenville

The hamlet of Glenville is at the initial turn-off to Deerfoot Blue Ridge from State Highway 107. It has a post office, some businesses, and a population of about 200.

JJ's Canteen & Eatery is located just a few hundred feet from the road that leads to Deerfoot Blue Ridge. The store is the last chance for gasoline, pizza & burgers, and snacks before the final stretch to camp.

Final Miles to Deerfoot-Blue Ridge

From JJ's Canteen & Eatery, turn left to drive a few hundred feet south on State Highway 107. Then turn left onto Big Ridge Road.
Stay on this county road for a little over a mile.
The Deerfoot Lodge Blue Ridge sign marks the turnoff to the camp located down the hill.
Just ahead of the Deerfoot sign, turn left onto Ravenwood Road, the private unpaved road that leads to Deerfoot Blue Ridge.
The rhododendron-flanked road descends about 500 feet in elevation in a little under a mile before reaching Trout Lake.

Some Scenes from Deerfoot Blue Ridge

Trout Lake, centerpiece of the camp property.
Canoes awaiting campers.
Log cabins in the Woodsmen section.
Lean-tos in the Pioneers section.
Tree houses in the Mountaineers section.
Main waterfront area.
Amphitheater overlooks Trout Lake.
Site work continues as we work to finish camp.

Area Attractions for Visitors

For those able to spend some time in the Highlands-Cashiers area, the mountains and lakes provide numerous recreational opportunities. Some of these are highlighted below.

Hiking and camping among the peaks and waterfalls of the 10,000 acre Panthertown Valley Preserve.
Hundreds of waterfalls to explore in national forests and state parks.
World-class golfing.
Water sports and activities on Lake Glenville.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Latest Developments

Click on the following link to learn about the progress being made in developing Deerfoot Blue Ridge:

More Information

Click on the links below for the back story behind the new Deerfoot camp in North Carolina. We are eagerly seeking the Lord for the day when He will work in the hearts of boys and young men at this new site.

Contact Information:

Chief Ron Mackey, Executive Director of Deerfoot Lodge

phone (855) 447-2267 X 700 | chiefron@deerfoot.org

Created By
Deerfoot Lodge
Appreciate

Credits:

Created with images by Government & Heritage Library, State Library of NC - "North Carolina today, page 31 (1930s)" • Texas State Library and Archives Commission - "Mural: "Texas Moves Toward Statehood" - section 1 of 5" • Chillsoffear - "thermometer temperature measurement"