Maggie Valley is a gateway to the Great Smokies, stellar camping, and Blue Ridge adventure.
Maggie Valley is a cozy North Carolina mountain town that sits on the banks of Jonathan Creek. It’s 10 minutes from the Cataloochee Ski Area and makes an ideal basecamp for exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway. Maggie Valley is close to hiking trails, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting. It also borders the Nantahala National Forest, where hundreds of miles of trails let you explore waterfalls, lakes, and old-growth trees. At 3,000 feet elevation, Maggie Valley is accessible year-round. The deciduous trees surrounding Maggie Valley put an an astonishing fall foliage display of golds, reds, and oranges each autumn
Ten minutes from Maggie Valley is Soco Falls, an iconic double waterfall. The three mile section of Jonathan Creek that passes through town is designated Mountain Heritage Trout Water. There are multiple creekside RV parks and RV resorts with full hookups and wifi, as well as mountain cabins with hot tubs and glamping sites in this area. If you aren’t satisfied with your options in the Maggie Valley area, checkout nearby Waynesville or Asheville.
Maggie Valley is just below the Great Smoky Mountain National Park’s Balsam Mountain area. At 5,130 feet, the Balsam Mountain Campground has sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and mountain views. If you enter the center of the park on Route 441, you’ll intercept numerous hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail and the approach road to Clingman’s Dome. There are beautiful hikes to waterfalls and lookouts throughout the park, and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot its famous fog or black bear residents. The park’s central campsites have excellent RV camping and tent camping, but book early for these popular spots.
The Blue Ridge Parkway bisects Route 19 a few miles west of Maggie Valley. This scenic byway starts at nearby Cherokee and travels a whopping 469 miles to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The Parkway traces the ridge-line of the Blue Ridge Mountains in a winding course with incredible views. There are multiple overlooks and spur-trails for hiking along the Parkway. It’s also a popular road ride for cyclists. The Waterrock Knob Visitor Center is a local highlight with great sunrise and sunset views.
Maggie Valley is a fun getaway year-round. Summer has the best temps and the most sunlight, fall has peak foliage, winter is ski season, and spring has powerful waterfalls and the least crowds. The summer is the busy season in this area, so book well in advance. Winter visitors should also be prepared for road conditions with snow and ice.