Tips
1. Get an early start.
2. Pack a picnic lunch.
3. Start at the trail head.

Escape to this old growth forest and journey back through time. The scenic 75 minute ride from Maggie Valley to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest takes you over a portion of the Tail of the Dragon . Upon arrival, your first stop should be the trail head that takes you through the old growth tulip-poplars rising up to 100 feet tall and 20 feet around. With some trees as much as 450 years old, the two mile trail with two easy loops provides breathtaking sights. This hardwood forest, part of the Nantahala, with excellent growing conditions provided by healthy moisture laden soil supports a variety of wildflowers and shrubs. Once you have completed this hike make sure you have brought along a picnic lunch. The setting is so beautiful that you will want to linger for a while.

Tips
1. Make the most of your long weekend by planning ahead.
2. Confirm travel times with a mapping program.
3. Confirm restaurant times.
4. Click the links below and familiarize yourself with activities in the area.

Leaf season, a wonderful time for a long weekend in The Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding area. Visitors to Maggie Valley, located in the Smokies, can spend a lifetime walking the hiking trails, visiting the antique shops and arts and crafts stores, and taking the spectacular driving tours. But, if you only have a long weekend these outings will give you a real taste of the valley and leave you wanting to return again.

Waterrock Knob for Your First Night*
Located at mile marker 421.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Waterrock Knob captures the true beauty of the mountains with 50 mile views of the highest peaks in Smokies. Access this spectacular panorama by driving west through Maggie on US 19 5 miles to the southern entrance to the Parkway. For the ambitious, you can add in a moderate 1.2 mile hike to the top of the 6000+ foot peak. A classic and romantic way to begin your first evening in the valley. On your way back into the valley, Garlic Knots at 3946 Socco Road has great Italian food along with beer and wine. *Waterrock Knob open 7 days a week between late April and October 31.

Cataloochee Valley on Your First Day
For first time visitors a must do includes visiting the Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to see the elk and explore the Boogerman Trail. Access to the valley takes you over a regularly used dirt road, a scenic ride that takes you back in time. Once over the mountain the paved valley road brings you face to face with white tailed-deer, wild turkeys, black bear, and elk. Arrive early to see the elk grazing, then catch the trailhead for Boogerman trail, an easy 4 mile hike that takes you through an old growth forest.

Pisgah Inn for Your Final Day*
Start you final day in the valley with a drive to the Pisgah Inn, located where the first inn was erected in 1919. Before sitting down to enjoy lunch at the Pisgah Restaurant with its panoramic views, hike the Graveyard Fields Trail . This easy 3.2 mile hike takes you to one of the many waterfalls in the area. On your way back to Maggie take a leisurely stroll through Waynesville. *Pisgah Inn is open March 30 through October 31.

Travel Guides
Stay with us at Mystic Mountain and you will find area maps and guide books. Another excellent and reasonably priced resource, America Rides Maps provides custom maps for tours in and around Maggie.

As of October 28, 2009 a rock slide on Route 40 has restricted access to Big Creek Trail. Until the road is repaired, this particular hike should not be attempted. If you are planning a vacation in Haywood County, there are many alternative routes to Haywood County when coming from the West. Haywood County Tourism Department provides detailed alternative routes on their website.

A great place for a picnic and in the summer a swim in the creek plan to spend at least a few hours at the trail head to Mouse Branch Falls . You’ll find a few picnic tables and barbecue grills along the riverbank. With a clean relief station close by, it is easy to make a day of it.

If you just have time for the hike, you will find that it is an easy flat trail. Approximately 1.7 miles into the hike you will arrive at Midnight Hole which is a great place to take a break. Our guide book suggested that some people swim in this big pool. We were happy just navigating down to the water’s edge to enjoy the refreshing coolness of the water.

Just another .3 of a mile down the trail you will arrive at Mouse Branch Falls For novice hikers this hike provides an easy walk and wonderful sights and sounds.

It is easy to find the trail head for Mouse Branch Falls on Big Creek Trail from Maggie Valley. The 40 minute ride takes you west on I-40 24 miles into Tennessee to exit 447. Then you double back on I-40 going East to exit 451 toward Waterville Road. From this point you are only 4 miles from the parking lot for the trail head. Stay at our cabin Mystic Mountain for convenience.