Take a wonderful mountain trip this year to the scenic setting of Maggie Valley and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. There is an array of Maggie Valley campgrounds in the area. Here, we’ve listed our top three favorites. Read further to discover other Maggie Valley attractions, places to dine and things to do during your Maggie Valley vacation.
Top Three Maggie Valley Campgrounds
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Water’s Edge RV Park and Motor Court
This campground is located right in the town of Maggie Valley. While it is a small campground with 35 sites, they offer everything you need for camping in an RV. They also have a clean bathhouse, a nice bonus for campers. The campground is located on the banks of Jonathan Creek, so you’ll be close to nature. You’re a short drive or walk away from most Maggie Valley attractions at this location. Find it at 35 Scott Circle in Maggie Valley.
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Hillbilly Campground
Located downtown in Maggie Valley, the Hillbilly Campground is another small jewel right in the heart of town. It’s also located on Jonathan Creek (this magical bubbling creek runs through the length of Maggie Valley). They also have a clean bathhouse for campers. It’s located at 4115 Soco Road in Maggie Valley. The nice owners operate a store and gift shop at the front of the property where you can buy Cherokee and Smoky Mountain souvenirs cheaper than a lot of the more popular tourist spots. It’s a short drive to local attractions, including the Soco Gap entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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National Park Service Campgrounds: Balsam Mountain and Cataloochee
Located inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and maintained by the National Park Service, Balsam Mountain Campground is one of 10 campground locations within the park. Reservations are required at this favorite Maggie Valley campground. There is a maximum RV length of 30 feet. At the time of this writing, the camping fee is $17.50. Enjoy restrooms with cold running water and flush toilets, as well as a fire grate and a picnic table. There are no electrical or water hookups and no showers. The other campgrounds operated by the NPS in the park include: Abrams Creek, Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, Look Rock and Smokemont. Of these, Balsam Mountain and Cataloochee Campgrounds are near the town of Maggie Valley and its amenities, such as dining, shopping and attractions.
Places to Dine and Things to Do Near Maggie Valley Campgrounds
If you’re new to the area, stop by the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce or the Town of Maggie Valley website to gather a wealth of information about things happening in town. They may even set you up with fishing gear to borrow during your stay if you fish in heritage trout waters. Maggie has a number of attractions for vacationers and locals alike, including the Cataloochee Ski Resort, the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds (home of many bike rallies, concerts and car shows) and The Stompin’ Ground. We’ve compiled some of those Maggie Valley attractions if you’d like more information.If you’re looking for great places to dine, we can point you toward a few local restaurants we enjoy. When it comes to dining, it is a matter of ‘what are you in the mood for today?’ Maggie Valley has a range of cuisine. Try Frankie’s Trattoria for great Italian, including daily lunch specials until 3pm. Their pizza is delicious. It’s right in town so it’s easy to find on Soco Road. The owners/chefs, Frank and Louis Perrone, won the Five Star Diamond award, as well as Chef of the Year by American Academy Association. They’re open Monday through Saturday, 11:30am to 9:00pm. Another of our favorite places to eat in Maggie is Butts on the Creek BBQ. This is a casual eatery with dishes like chopped pork, BBQ ribs, pulled beef brisket, Brunswick stew and their popular fried corn on the cob. It’s located downtown in Maggie Valley on Soco Road. A great place for a big satisfying breakfast is Country Vittles. They’re open from 7am to 2pm only. You can get a full hearty American style breakfast here in the buffet with all the trimmings for a decent price. They also have an “all you can eat family style lunch” or just order from the menu. It is located on Soco Road in Maggie Valley.
Relax After Camping at Our Maggie Valley Motel
After ‘getting back to nature’ in Maggie Valley campgrounds, you may want to experience a few nights in a more relaxing, pampering atmosphere. Meadowlark Motel on Soco Road in downtown Maggie Valley features cabins, cottages and guest rooms with comfortable bedding and complimentary Wi-Fi as well as a seasonal outdoor pool. Many accommodations feature kitchenettes and jetted bathtubs. Set right on the banks of scenic Jonathan Creek, this iconic motel has been operating in the valley for several decades. Family-owned and operated, Meadowlark Motel also offers a huge outdoor pavilion with a full kitchen for guests to use. They have picnic tables, a fire pit and outdoor furniture so you can roast marshmallows or cook hot dogs. They offer specials and packages, including a private in-room spa services and massage package.
We look forward to seeing you around town in beautiful Maggie Valley, located at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway, and just a short drive from Cherokee.
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Photo by Leon Contreras on Unsplash
