Overview
Maggie Valley is a tourist destination in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. It is semi-popular (although not as much as it once was) due to its close proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is a popular destination for skiing as the Cataloochee Ski Area is located nearby.
4 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Maggie Valley
Wheels Through Time Museum
On U.S. 19 in Maggie Valley. Open daily April through November. For motorcycle enthusiasts, this 40,000-square-foot museum features 250 rare and vintage motorcycles and automobiles.
Soco Falls
Waterfall in the Soco Gap.
Waterrock Knob
Scenic overlook, hiking trails, visitors center.
St Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church
Architectural Building.
Cataloochee Ski Area
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 29°F. Wettest: Aug and Jun. (climate data from nearby Asheville)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- AVL Asheville Regional Airport, Asheville — 30 mi away. Directions
- TYS McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville/Maryville — 56 mi away (major hub). Directions
The nearest airport to Maggie Valley is Asheville Regional Airport.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Soco Falls, Waterrock Knob, St Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church
- Afternoon Cataloochee Ski Area, Wheels Through Time Museum
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Maggie Valley was originally incorporated in 1904. The town was named after a young girl named Maggie Mae Setzer who was the daughter of Jack Setzer. Jack Setzer incorporated the town as he is the one who gave it a post office.
The town became a tourist destination after the Ghost Town in the Sky Amusement Park opened in 1961. Ghost Town has since closed in 2009 and has not reopened due to many factors. Still, the many tourist attractions and natural beauty of the area draw many.
Get in
By plane
The nearest airport to Maggie Valley is Asheville Regional Airport.
By car
Cars are the most common way to get to Maggie Valley. Traffic heading west on I-40 from Asheville should take exit 27 for the US-74/Great Smoky Mountains Expressway then take exit 103 for US-19 toward Maggie Valley and Cherokee and continue straight. I-40 traffic from Tennessee should take exit 20 for US-276 which will take you directly to US-19.
Get around
By car
Getting around Maggie Valley by car is fairly simple, as most of the town resides along US-19. Almost all tourist attractions are on this road.
By foot
Sidewalks are present in the town's most popular areas and easily walk-able.
See
The views near Maggie Valley are stunning, but be careful not to let them distract you on the winding mountain roads.
Do
Sleep
Nearby
Waynesville
City / town · 14 listings · 5 mi away
Sylva
City / town · 3 listings · 13 mi away
Cherokee
City / town · 12 listings · 14 mi away
Bryson City
City / town · 5 listings · 22 mi away
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Park · 19 listings · 26 mi away
Brevard
City / town · 10 listings · 27 mi away
Cashiers
City / town · 1 listings · 28 mi away
Gatlinburg
City / town · 38 listings · 29 mi away
My experience
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