Skip to Main Content
Menu

Maggie Valley, Waynesville, & Haywood County

About Maggie Valley, Waynesville, & Haywood Co.

Haywood County home to Waynesville, Canton, Clyde, Lake Junaluska, and the sprawling resort town of Maggie Valley is 554 scenic square miles of spectacular country, with beautiful mountains and valleys dotting the landscape. Thirteen of its mountain peaks soar to elevations of at least 6,000 feet (more than any east of the Mississippi River), and the county is one of the highest east of the Rockies, with a mean elevation of 3,600 feet. Notable mountain peaks include Cold Mountain, the basis for the award-winning, bestselling novel and major motion picture at 6,030 feet, Mt. Sterling at 5,836 feet, and Richland Balsam at 6,410 feet. First established in 1808, Haywood County sits at the western edge of the state, with the Blue Ridge Parkway running along its southwestern border. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest are located in the northern section of the county.

Area Visitor Centers

Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce

Lodging, Dining, Things to Do

Boyd Mountain Log Cabins

Stories from Maggie Valley, Waynesville, & Haywood County

Multicolored fireworks light up the night sky in Gatlinburg, TN.
Ring in a Blue Ridge New Year
December 28, 2021
Seasonal, Budget-Friendly, Family-friendly, Local Food, Luxury, Arts & Culture
Visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway for the holidays (or lucky enough to be a local) and looking for unique ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve? We’ve got your guide for seeing in the New Year at one of these celebrations in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Winter lights in the shape of quilt squares are brightly lit at night at the North Carolina Arboretum.
Celebrate Winter in the Blue Ridge Mountains
November 18, 2021
Family-friendly, Seasonal, Skiing, Arts & Culture
Spending the holidays in the Blue Ridge Mountains brings to mind cozy fireside nights under homespun quilts, a brisk family outing to find the perfect Christmas tree on a local farm, and the very the best slopes for skiing and sledding. We've rounded up all this and more in our guide to festive winter fun in the communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Man Fly Fishing on a river in McDowell County.
Where can I fish in the Blue Ridge Parkway region?
November 11, 2021
Budget-Friendly, Family-friendly, Fishing, Nature & Outdoors
There are many places in the Blue Ridge region where you can snag a prime fishing spot if you know where to look and what regulations to follow.
Joyful children stand at the top of a sledding hill with their sleds.
7 Ways to Enjoy the Parkway’s Wide Open Spaces (Even when the road is closed)
December 31, 2020
Biking, Hiking Trails, Stargazing, Waterfalls, Fishing, Winter Sports, Motorcycle Route
When high elevation nighttime temperatures dip below freezing, sections of the Parkway may be closed due to ice and snow. The roadway is not plowed or salted so closed areas become wonderful winter playgrounds for pedestrians, cyclists, skiers and snowshoers alike.
A breakfast cookbook sits behind a plate of fruit, waffles, omelet and bacon with a glass of orange juice and a pitcher of syrup.
Romantic Getaways Across the Blue Ridge Parkway and Beyond
November 16, 2020
Romantic Getaway, Nature & Outdoors, In Town, Road Trip, Complimentary Breakfast
Even while staying at home we still seem to be busy. Maybe this season you'll want to slow down and make time to take a getaway with your significant other. Regardless of when you choose to enjoy a romantic getaway along the Blue Ridge Parkway, we have some options and ideas for you to consider.
A Blue Ridge Parkway overpass in Fancy Gap, VA displays stonework from the 1930s.
Tours, Trails and Routes to Stimulate Your Senses
October 14, 2020
Artisan Trails, Craft Beer, Driving Tour, Food & Beverage Trails, Live Music, Local Food, Farms & Agriculture, Motorcycle Route, Music Trails, Wine Lovers
These routes offer sites worth visiting that promise to tickle your taste buds, enthrall your eyes and enchant your ears. There are tours, routes and trails to suit every traveler, taste, and location from Tennessee to Virginia.
411-foot Whitewater Falls drops over the rocks into multiple streams surrounded by fall-colored leaves.
Waterfalls Along the Blue Ridge Parkway
September 9, 2020
Budget-Friendly, Family-friendly, Nature & Outdoors, Hiking Trails
Numerous waterfalls are located throughout the Shenandoah, Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway regions. Some are visible from the road and some require a hike. This list notes the location and ease of access for each waterfall.
Blue Ridge Farm Museum offers a view of a historic farmstead including structures and gardens.
Exploring Farms & Orchards Along the Blue Ridge
August 26, 2020
Farm Stay, Farms & Agriculture, Farming Heritage, Working Farm
The Blue Ridge Mountains are dotted with farms producing everything from Christmas trees to trout. Fruit, flowers, herbs, jams, jellies, pies, wreaths and other crafts are all produced right here in the mountains. And what better way to get outside this year than to enjoy the fresh air of a mountain farm?
Two rows of Ferraris are parked in an overlook on the Foothills Parkway in Tennessee.
Motorcycle (or Sports Car) Touring in the Blue Ridge
July 1, 2020
Motorcycle Attraction, Motorcycle Rental, Motorcycle Route, Motorcycle-Friendly, Motorcycle-Friendly Lodging, Motorcycle-Friendly Lodging & Dining, Road Trip
Along with the 469 miles of glorious scenery winding along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the parkway, there are several other motor routes in North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia that are popular with motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts.
The view from Waterrock Knob reveals nearby evergreens and rows of mountains ridged in shadows in the distance.
Nature & the Outdoors Along the Blue Ridge Parkway Regions in NC & TN
April 17, 2020
Biking, Caves & Caverns, Fishing, Hiking Trails, Horseback Riding, Nature & Outdoors, Swimming, Rock Climbing & Rappelling, Water Sports, Waterfalls, Family-friendly, Budget-Friendly, Pet-Friendly
Whether you are enjoying the entire Blue Ridge Parkway or just visiting regions in North Carolina or Tennessee, there are many ways to enjoy nature and the outdoors, even in the lodging opportunities available along the route.

Recommended Itineraries

Two backpacks sit on the ground with rows of mountains framed in a golden sunset under a cloudy sky.
Take A Hike in Haywood County Itinerary
Region: North Carolina
Duration:2 - 3 days
Craft Beer, Hiking Trails, Fishing, Local Food, Swimming, Wildlife
Are you looking for a fresh vacation full of outdoor adventure and scenic exploration? Haywood County provides a unique outdoor experience unlike anywhere else. No matter the season, you can always enjoy a variety of mountain adventures right here in Haywood County.
A smiling family enjoys hiking over rocky terrain with forested mountains behind them and wispy white clouds above in the cerulean blue sky.
Haywood County Family Adventure Itinerary
Region: North Carolina
Duration:2 - 3 days
Family-friendly, Fishing, Hiking Trails, Horseback Riding, Local Food, Nature & Outdoors, Picnic, Wildlife, Working Farm, Swimming
Haywood County is the perfect home base for an action-packed family vacation. With a long list of outdoor adventures, incredible places to explore and a wide range of restaurants and takeout options that appeal to palates of all ages, it’s easy to see why families love to stay and play in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.