The Small Town That’s Got It All—Maggie Valley, NC

Scenic rides, beautiful nature, nearby entertainment and restaurants, fascinating history… Maggie Valley, NC, really does have it all.

This small town is situated amidst the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, roughly 35 miles from Asheville, with easy access along US 19. Don’t let its size and relatively remoteness fool you—Maggie Valley has a lot to offer.

Even the town’s name has a story behind it. A local resident, Jack Setzer, was frustrated with poor mail service in the area and asked the U.S. postal department for permission to open a mail office in his house.

After a trial period, the postal department asked what Setzer would like to name his post office, and he submitted the names of his three daughters as options: Cora, Mettie, and Maggie Mae. The response he got stated that the town was now officially known as Maggie.

Maggie Mae herself was allegedly quite embarrassed when her dad broke the news to her.

Today, Maggie Valley is a deservedly popular tourist destination. Whether you enjoy exploring the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains on a motorcycle, car, horseback, or your own two feet, Maggie Valley makes for a prime home base for your adventure.

The town lies within a short distance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (the most visited in the U.S.) and the Cherokee, Pisgah, and Nantahala national forests. The diversity of flora and fauna in this region is unparalleled, and you can take in expansive mountain views, wander through both pine woods and leafy groves, and spot a dizzying number of wildlife on the roads and trails.