Maggie Valley’s central location affords the ability to enjoy a wide variety of activities year long. Visiting The Great Smokey National Park, Pisgah National Forest, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Asheville, or just driving the Blue Ridge Parkway are just some of the great day trips the whole family can enjoy. If you want something close, Lake Junaluska located at 91 N. Lakeshore Dr., just off Soco road has many activities open to the public. Lake Junaluska offers fishing, swimming, golf, boating and more all for reasonable fees. When you first drive in, the combined Lake Junaluska and the Haywood County visitors center will be on the left. Take a look inside for a more comprehensive understanding of what Maggie Valley and the surrounding area has to offer. Continuing along the road into Lake Junaluska you will find plenty of free parking near The Terrace Hotel. One of my favorite free activities is to walk the trail surrounding the lake. There is an inner loop of 2.3 miles and an outer loop of 3.8 miles. You can also just walk as far as you want and back again for shorter outing. Along the path you will pass many beautiful gardens and views of the mountains. Sunset from Inspiration Point is also a photography highlight.