Whether it is golf on one of the area's many beautiful courses, horseback riding in the mountains, hiking the Smoky Mountain Trails, biking, white water rafting, or a scenic view of the area's majestic waterfalls - there are lots of ways to enjoy the splendor of the Smoky Mountains.

If your tastes run to shopping there are many "musts" in the area from Maggie Valley's very own to nearby mountain towns. A day of shopping needs a great spot for lunch. There's fine food throughout the mountains whether breakfast, lunch or dinner we're glad to help you find a special place. Maggie Valley is the home of

Evenings in Maggie are for music, whether at the Stomping Grounds - clogging capitol of the world or Raymond Fairchild's Opry House or Salty Dogs Seafood Bar and Grill featuring great food and a sports bar.

Then there is The Great Smoky Mountains National Park - just about nothing can beat a quiet afternoon and picnic in Cataloochee Valley, one of the original settlements of the the Blue Ridge Parkway with stops for vistas and trails to hike make for a perfect outing in the mountains. For a special treat visit Sliding Rock - Mother Nature's water slide which is a great fix for a hot summer afternoon.

Of course a trip to the mountains must include a visit to the Biltmore Estate - the 250 room 19th century Vanderbilt mansion with its winery and gardens. Then there is the Cherokee Indian Reservation with its outdoor drama "Unto These Hills" which a story of the Trail of Tears. There is also the Ocunaloftee Village - a recreation of 18th century life or try your luck at Tribal Bingo or Harrahs Cherokee Casino.

Ride the rails with the Smoky Mountian Railroad scenic mountain train rides. There is something for everyone in the beautiful Smoky Mountains!

See The Elk!

The elk were brought back to Cataloochee Valley in 2001. It has been a very successful project. No trip to Maggie Valley would be complete without going to see them. It is a wonderful drive back into the forest of Cataloochee.

Buildings from the old settlement are still there for your touring pleasure. And of course, the main attraction are the elk. They come out every evening at dusk to feed.

Take a picnic and enjoy the trip!

Maggie Valley Area Waterfalls

From Maggie Valley take Hwy 19 east to 276 South, turn right and follow 276 to US64 and head west! The following guide takes you to some sixteen of the areas most scenic waterfalls:

1. Bridal Veil Falls - 2.5 miles east of Highlands on US64. Visible from highway
2. Courthouse Falls - On Courthouse Creek in the Beech Gap area of the Pisgah National Forest. From Maggie Valley follow directions to US64. Take US64 to SR215, turn north to Balsam Grove and Courthouse Creek.
3. Cullasaja Falls - Visible from US64 in Cullasaja Gorge, 11 miles east of Franklin, 9 miles west of Highlands. Height 250 ft. Accessible by foot trail through a half mile of steep terrain.
4. Drift Falls - From Maggie Valley follow directions to US64, go west to Whitewater Road. Travel south approximately 3 miles to Horsepasture River. Horsepasture Falls is in the same area.
5. Dry Falls - Located near US64, 3.5 miles west of Highlands. Paved walkway leads to falls from parking area. Walk under 75 foot falls.
6. Glen Falls - From Highlands travel 3 miles south on NC106. Turn left on US Forest Service Road with "Glen Falls" marker. One mile trail to falls is steep and rough. Consists of three large falls, each dropping approximately 60 feet.
7. Horsepasture Falls - From Maggie Valley follow directions to US64, go west to Whitewater Road. Follow road to south Horsepasture River. Drift Falls is in the same area.
8. Kiesee Falls - From Maggie Valley follow directions to US64 and go west to Glouchester Road. Falls located on Kiesee Creek in Balsam Grove near Courthouse Falls.
9. Indian Creek Falls - Follow directions to Indian Creek Falls. Juneywhank Falls are 1/4 mile downstream from Indian Creek.
10. Juneywhank Falls - folow directions to Indian Creek Falls. Juneywhank Falls are 1/4 mile downstream from Indian Creek.
11. Looking Glass Falls - From Maggie Valley follow directions to 276, take US276 south approximately 20 miles. Parking area is well marked on east side of highway. Short walk to falls. Sliding Rock - South of Looking Glass Falls and across the road. A waterfall you can ride. Mother Nature's water slide. Pack a swim suit and enjoy!
12. Rainbow Falls - Follow directions to Horsepasture Falls. On same road as Drift and Horsepasture Falls. Height 200 feet.
13. Soco Falls - From Maggie Valley take US19, approximately 6 miles south to Soco Falls located on the slopes of Soco Bald.
14. Tom's Branch Falls - See directions to Indian Creek Falls. A 1/4 mile walk from Deep Creek Campground.
15. Toxaway Falls - From Maggie Valley follow directions to US64, go west. Highway passes over falls.
16. Whitewater Falls - At 411 feet it is the highest falls in Eastern United States. From Maggie Valley follow directions to US64, go west to Whitewater Road. The falls are located 10 miles south on Whitewater Road.

Maggie Valley Area Scenic Byways

The splendor of the Smoky Mountains and the magnificence of its vast beauty adorn endless acres of Western North Carolina. Breathtaking vistas, lush forests, babbling brooks, fields of wildflowers, and roaring mountain streams abound. There is no better way to experience the array and depth of Mother Nature's glorious offerings than tripping down the scenic byways of the Maggie Valley area. The experience will be memorable!



Blue Ridge Parkway - "America's most scenic drive". Forty-six miles of this spectacular route lie within our county. Be sure to stop at the Water Rock Knob for a sunset that will rival the postcards.

Balsam Mountain Road - From Maggie Valley take Hwy19 south to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Go south on the Blue Ridge Parkway for approximately two miles. Turn right on the spur road to Heintooga Overlook. Continue past the overlook onto the Balsam Mountain Road. This is a one way, dirt road closed in winter, (but beautiful the rest of the year), which proceeds down Balsam Mountain and connects with Big Cobe Road and continues on into Cherokee. This is an adventure.

Cades Cove & Clingman's Dome - From Maggie Valley take Hwy19 south to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Go south on the Parkway until it dead-ends on Route 441. Turn right (north) on 441 and proceed to spur to Clingman's Dome. This is an eight-mile blacktop road that leads to the highest elevation in the Smoky Mountains. Continue north on 441 to Sugarland's Visitor Center… continue on to Cades Cove and watch for the wildlife… deer, turkey, bear and whatever.




Cataloochee Valley - From Maggie Valley take Hwy276 north to Cove Creek Road and head back into a bygone time. One of the first settlements in the mountains, a number of buildings remain, there are a variety of trails to travel, and great picnic spots. Watch for wildlife!

Deals Gap - From Maggie Valley go east to Hwy276 south and follow it to Hwy23/74 "The Smoky Mountain Expressway", go west past Bryson City to Topton and Hwy129. Turn righ on Hwy129 for 318 curves in 11 miles. This is a thrill… and a special thrill on a bike. Continue on to Hwy411, take411 into Maryville. Take route 321 out of Maryville through Townsend and into Pigeon Forge. In Pigeon Forge turn right on Hwy441 through Gatlinburg and back through the Smoky Mountain National Park. What a beautiful place!

Heritage Scenic Byway - From Maggie Valley proceed east to Hwy276 south and follow it through Waynesville. Pass through Cruso - "10 miles of the world's friendliest people" and explore the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest, visit Looking Glass Falls, and enjoy the views in every direction!

Hot Springs - From Maggie Valley take Hwy276 north to I-40 and go east to Hwy209. Now the fun begins! At Hwy209 go north to Hot Springs. Along the way enjoy the old country stores, a turn of the century church, and the spectacular views from elevations of up to 5000 feet.

Road to Nowhere - From Maggie Valley go east to Hwy276 south. Take Hwy276 south to Hwy23/74 (Smoky Mountain Expressway). Go southwest to Bryson City. At the square turn on Everett Street and go straight ahead three miles out of town to "Lakeview Drive" - The Road to Nowhere… a highway that winds its way into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ends at an tunnel. You can walk through the tunnel to a hiking trail. The Road to Nowhere is one of the most scenic and obviously uncrowded drives through the Smokies!