Hurricane Helene has changed many lives of those affected along her path. The landscape in many areas will be permanently changed as creeks and rivers digested the land in the path of the rushing water. Many people and companies have jumped in with donations and already many bridges and roads are open to travel. Some will take longer. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those that will need much longer to turn their upside down world, right again. Although it’s best not to travel to areas that have been devastated, many areas have already recuperated from the storm and those businesses continue to welcome all that want to enjoy the hospitality, food, and recreation that North Carolina is synonymous for. The highway from the Asheville airport to Maggie Valley and Waynesville are totally clear. All the local stores and restaurants welcome your support. The leaves are currently changing and the views are spectacular. If you cancelled plans now is the time to put them back in place. If you never experienced the views of the leaves changing color in the mountains, now is the time to come.
Maggie Valley Waterfall Guide
One of the best activities to do during the warm months is hike to some of the many waterfalls that western North Carolina has to offer. The views are spectacular, the air is brisk, the exercise is great, and the family memories will last a lifetime. There is a vast amount of information on the internet regarding waterfalls. Where they are, how difficult they are to get to, the length of the trail, if you have to pay to park, etc. Many waterfalls are close to each other in a cluster, but the waterfall clusters are usually in different directions. I have tried to organize them to make your day trip a bit more efficient. Look at the map above to see the waterfalls and where they are located.
Some locations in the Smokies need a parking pass for any parking time over 15 minutes. They are available for daily, weekly, and on an annual basis and are specific to the car license tag you are driving. The closest location from the cabin to pick up a parking pass is the Lake Junaluska Visitor Center. It is located at 91 N Lakeshore Dr, Lake Junaluska. Visit their website to learn more: https://visitncsmokies.com/visitor-center/
Make sure you have plenty of water and comfortable shoes. Also occasionally some trails close so check online in advance.
The two closest waterfalls to Maggie Valley and the cabin are Soco Falls and Mingo Falls.
Soco Falls is about 10 minutes from the cabin. It is a double waterfall between Maggie Valley and the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Take US 19 South toward the Blue Ridge Parkway. Go under the parkway and go 1.5 miles to Soco Gap at Milepost 455.7 to the small roadside parking area on the left. There will be a small blue sign indicating the path to the falls. You can hear the falls from the roadside parking. The trail starts at the break in the guard rail.
Mingo Falls is about 45 minutes from the cabin. Continue south on US 19 (Soco Rd) approximately 16 miles till it turns into US 441. Continue on US 441 and turn right onto Acquoni Road as it winds along the Oconaluftee River. Pass the Saunooke Village Shopping Center and turn right onto Big Cove Road. Drive approximately five miles, and you’ll start seeing signs for Mingo Falls. The parking lot will be on your right.
Pisgah National Forest is about 1 hour from Maggie Valley and is comprised of mile-high mountain peaks, whitewater rivers, thundering waterfalls and hundreds of miles of top hiking trails. It’s considered one of the nation’s best places for outdoor recreation. Moore Cove Falls, Looking Glass Falls, Cove Creek Falls, and Daniel Ridge Falls are are all within close proximity of each other and are accessible thru moderately easy trails.
Moore Cove Falls is a 50-foot waterfall on Moore Creek, a tributary of Looking Glass Creek. The easy hike to the falls is about 1.5 miles round trip and very scenic. You can even walk behind and under the falls since the water falls over the edge of a recess cave.
From Maggie Valley drive east on Soco Rd (US-19). Go for 7.9 miles then take the ramp onto US-19 N/US-23 N/US-74 E. Go for 0.7 miles and get on ramp toward US-23-BR S/NC-209 N/Lake Junaluska/East Waynesville/Hot Springs. Then turn right onto Asheville Rd (US-23-BR). Go for 1.9 mi. Take the 3rd exit from roundabout onto Ratcliff Cove Rd. Continue on Raccoon Rd. Go for 1.4 miles. Turn left onto Pigeon Rd (US-276). Go for 26.6 miles to Moore Cove Falls.
After enjoying Moore Cove Falls, Head back to Route 19 and turn right. Drive approximately 5 miles to reach Looking Glass Falls. Looking Glass Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the eastern United States. It’s directly off Highway 276 and has an accessible top viewing deck with stairs down to the creek.
From Looking Glass Falls, continue on Highway 276. Drive about 10 miles south. Look for the Cove Creek Falls trailhead on your left. The hike to Cove Creek Falls is approximately 1.5 miles round trip. Cove Creek Falls is a serene waterfall surrounded by lush forest.
After Cove Creek Falls, head back to Highway 276. Drive south for about 3 miles. Look for the Daniel Ridge Falls trailhead on your left. The hike to Daniel Ridge Falls is approximately 1.5 miles round trip.
Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are just over an hour drive from Maggie Valley. They are close to the road and are very easy to walk to. They are located in the Nantahala National Forest, the largest of the four national forests in North Carolina.
From Maggie Valley, head east on Soco Rd (US-19) about 6.7 miles. Turn right onto Russ Ave (US-276 S) toward US-19 N. Go for 1.4 mi. Turn right and take ramp onto Great Smoky Mtn Expwy (US-23 S/US-74 W). Go for 20.7 mi. Take the ramp toward US-23 S/US-441 S/Dillsboro/Franklin/Atlanta. Continue on S US 441 (US-23 S/US-441 S) for 17.9 mi. Take the ramp toward US-64 E/NC-28/Highlands/Franklin. Turn left onto Highlands Rd (US-64 E) toward NC-28. Go for 17.2 mi. Then turn left onto N 4th St (US-64) toward Cashiers. Dry Falls 28 US-64, Highlands.
After enjoying Dry Falls, continue your drive. Head west on US Highway 64. Bridal Veil Falls is located about 3 miles west of Highlands alongside US Highway 64. Look for signs to the parking area.
Deep Creek Waterfalls Loop is in Bryson City, about 1 hour from Maggie Valley. Roughly two miles of moderately challenging walking will acquaint you with beautiful Deep Creek and three waterfalls. Deep Creek area loop hikes include Juney Whank Falls (0.6 miles), Three Waterfalls Loop (2.4 miles), and Deep Creek-Indian Creek Loop (4.4 miles). Longer loop hikes are also possible. Trails to the waterfalls start from the large parking area at the end of Deep Creek Road (across the creek from Deep Creek Campground). You will need a parking pass to leave your car.
Start at the Deep Creek Trailhead, in the large parking lot across from Deep Creek Campground. Deep Creek Trail is wide and easy, suitable for hikers of any experience level. If you have the opportunity, hike it in late spring — the wildflowers on the trail are phenomenal! The trail’s first waterfall comes quickly: Just 3/10 of a mile in, you’ll come to Toms Branch Falls with its multi-tiered cascades. There are several benches here if you’d like to marvel at the falls before continuing on. Walk Deep Creek Trail 0.7 mile to the junction with Indian Creek Trail. On your way you can view the elegant, 60′ high Tom Branch Falls located on the far side of Deep Creek. Turn right at the junction with Indian Creek Trail and proceed approximately 200′ to Indian Creek Falls. Juney Whank Falls is a .03 mile moderate hike (or .06 mile round trip) from the parking area. Look for a sign for the trailhead to Juney Whank Falls and continue on the trail. Although the trail is short, the first part of the hike has some steep sections. Look for a small sign on the right which leads you down some steps to a small bridge. Here you can view both the upper and lower sections of the waterfall. Just past the bridge is a good spot for selfies or group pictures. Be careful, the mist and splashing from the waterfall could make the bridge and rocks a little slippery.
Catawba Falls is just over an hour away from Maggie Valley. The trail was recently reopened and was rebuilt to be very kid and dog friendly. The 100-ft. tall Catawba Falls is located near Old Fort (26 miles east of Asheville, just three miles off I-40). The 1.5-mile hike (3 miles round-trip) is a steady and slightly uphill walk but it is not difficult. It follows the Catawba River, with many smaller cascades along the way. It’s a beautiful trail, with sounds of rushing water and short side trails to see it.
Take US19 East (Socco Road). Get on US-74 E in Lake Junaluska. Follow I-40 E to Catawba River Rd in Old Fort. Take exit 73 from I-40 E 46 min (48.6 mi). Drive to Catawba River Rd (3.1 mi) to Catawba Falls 3074 Catawba River Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762
Welcome to Our Blog!
Welcome to the Mountain View Getaways blog. Interesting and fun stuff that we saw, learned, experienced, or tasted along the way! Please let us know what you think or any suggestions about the blog, things you’ve done or seen in the Maggie Valley or surrounding area.
The Majestic Elk
Maggie Valley and Cataloochee Valley are home to Elk that continually grace our homes and fields. These majestic animals in the Red Dear family can weigh up to 700 pounds and are only exceeded in size by there cousins the North American Moose. Elk are often seen grazing or relaxing next to Maggie’s mountain homes and in the fields off of Soco Road. It is important to note that federal regulations require that you stay at least 150 feet away so as not to disturb them. Male Elk (bull) can become aggressive during the fall rut (mating) season, September to October. You can often hear their legendary bugling calls to challenge other bulls and to attract females (cows). Females can also be aggressive while guarding their young, usually May thru June, so be especially careful. The best place to view Elk is in the Cataloochee Valley. From Maggie Valley take US276 north to Cove Creek Road. Make a left to reach the valley. Cove road has sections that are steep and unpaved. There are also no gas stations or other commercial services so plan accordingly. The best time to view Elk is early morning or approximately two hours before sunset.
The Cabin Experience
We were looking buy a mountain home in the Asheville area for many years. Many home we saw had single lane switchback roads requiring nerves of steel to get to. Some were in areas off the beaten path requiring a decent drive even to just buy groceries. We fell in love with this home the first time we drove up the driveway. It had easy access yet it was at a 4000 ft elevation. The parking area was large but the sight of a log cabin with a wrap around deck within a green lush forest was spectacular. We felt like we were going back in time. Getting out of the car and hearing the lower creek and the stream along side the front deck was definitely a bonus. A bridge arching over the stream to a small open area offered potential for a sitting area. Now a sitting and smokeless firepit area. The hot tub was secluded in the back of the front deck and offered a private relaxing environment next to the stream. Even before entering the cabin, we knew this home was a one of a kind gem.
The cabin is located in Maggie Valley, a quaint “artsy” town close to shopping and centrally located to many great destinations. There is always a new place to go, a new restaurant to try, and a new adventure to explore.
Golf is More Than Just a Game
North Carolina has an abundace of golf courses and fortunately Maggie Valley not only has its own but is close to many more public courses.
The Maggie Valley Golf Club is the closest golf course. Nestled between the majestic Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, this hidden gem offers a 6,500-yard championship course with stunning mountain views. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, the course provides a unique challenge. They also have a great restaurant to satisfy your 18 hole apetite that you can enjoy before and after your day of a scenic round of club swinging.
The nearby Waynesville Golf Club has two of it’s courses, the Carolina and Dogwood open to the public. Both courses provide additional options for golf enthusiasts.
Also in Waynesville is the beautiful Laurel Ridge Country Club with its spectacular mountain view course. Avid golfers will appreciate the challenging layout and breathtaking scenery.
The Springdale Resort and the Sequoyah National Golf Course are a short drive away giving you additional options to quench your thirst for golf.
Maggie Valley can be rewarding in its ability to offer a relaxing picturesque environment as well as a resource of eventful experiences during your visit to High Hopes Cabin. So, whether you’re swinging clubs, enjoying mountain vistas, taking a hike to a nearby waterfall, or planning a relaxing getaway, Maggie Valley has something special to offer everyone at every turn. What is your favorite course to play in the area?
Exploring the World Through Our Lens
Embarking on day trips from our cozy cabin is a cherished tradition. The allure lies in the boundless wonders that surround us, waiting to be captured. Armed with our trusty digital cameras, we embark on a quest to immortalize these fleeting moments.
For both amateurs and seasoned photographers, the canvas is vast. Nature’s grandeur unfolds before our lenses—majestic landscapes, intricate architecture, and captivating portraits. Our imagination knows no bounds; it paints vivid scenes, and our cameras dutifully translate them into pixels.
In this age of ubiquitous smartphones, everyone wields the power of photography. The very devices that connect us also transform us into artists. With a simple click, we freeze time, preserving sun-kissed waterfalls, serene vistas, and the crisp mountain air.
The trails we tread are more than paths; they’re gateways to discovery. Kid-friendly and pet-welcoming, they lead us to hidden gems. And then there’s the Biltmore house and its sprawling grounds—a photographer’s paradise.
As we hone our skills, our imagination becomes our compass. With each frame, we weave stories, capturing not just light but also the essence of the moment. So, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, let your creativity soar. The world awaits, and your lens is the bridge between reality and wonder.
Note: The Biltmore house and grounds offer a rich tapestry of photographic opportunities, and your journey as a photographer will evolve over time. What is your favorite type of photography and where is your favorite place to take pictures?
Coffee, Coffee, and more Coffee..
One of our stops, almost wherever we go is a coffee shop. We usually have our morning cup in the cabin. My daughter going for the espresso and my wife and I attacking the drip coffee maker. During one of our many day trips, we usually look for a new or favorite place for that afternoon pick me up. Maggie Valley has two excellent stops, The “Organic Beans”, and “Sippers in The Valley” both on Socco Road. We like to occasionally walk around downtown Asheville and often stop at one of our favorite places, “Double D’s” which isn’t really a shop as much as it is a double decker bus. When we visit other neighboring towns we usually search for new and different places to enjoy a cup of joe. What is your favorite type of coffee and where do you go to get it?
Unforgettable Experiences at the Festival Fairgrounds!
The Festival Fairgrounds host a diverse array of events throughout the year, catering to various tastes. With the Event Calendar conveniently accessible online, anyone seeking to immerse themselves in festival fun can plan ahead and visit Maggie Valley at the right time. Whether you’re drawn to art shows, the infamous Thunder in the Smokies motorcycle rally, Jeep Fest, The Fly Fishing Festival, or any of the other fantastic celebrations, including the Festival Fairgrounds in your vacation itinerary is a must. Be sure to explore the Festival Fairgrounds and visit the Maggie Valley website for additional information, ensuring your vacation becomes an unforgettable experience. What was your favorite event that you attended at the fairgrounds?
Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller