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The largest private lake in NC, and the Sapphire area are in the western portion of the county.
Lake Toxaway is the largest privately held lake in North Carolina. The lake, developed by the Lake Toxaway Company, is man-made and covers 640 acres (2.6 km2) 60 feet (18 m), and the shoreline is 14 miles (23 km). Water sources for the lake include multiple free-flowing mountain streams with the Toxaway River being the main source. The lake flows out onto Toxaway Falls and then continues down the Toxaway River. The main road through the Lake Toxaway area is U.S. Highway 64, a typical winding mountain road with tight turns. Lake Toxaway history encompasses two distinct time periods. The first era which began in 1890 ended with the collapse of the earthen dam in 1916. In 1960 the second era began when the Lake Toxaway Company purchased the land and rebuilt the lake.
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It has plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, and sheer rock precipices. Great opportunities for backpacking and horseback riding. This section of the Blue Ridge Escarpment spans over 8,000 acres of temperate rainforest and hosts extraordinary biodiversity. The park has 26 waterfalls, the northern shore of Lake Jocassee, and a portion of the 70-mile Foothills Trail.
With easy access about 8 mi from town, in Pisgah National Forest on US 276.
About 5 mi further up US 276 from Looking Glass Falls, is the most visited natural attraction in WNC with thousands of "daredevils" sliding approximately 100 ft into an icy mountain pool.
Features many waterfalls including ones made famous from The Last of the Mohicans and 2012's The Hunger Games.