Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This is our grandest neighbor. Literally a stones through away, the park is an incredible example of natures beauty. The park features ample opportunities to hike, fish, learn and sight see. The entrances to the park are from the Blue Ridge Parkway and Jonathan creek by I-40.
To see the elk: From Maggie Valley, take US 19 (Soco Road) east toward Waynesville. Turn left onto US 276 North (Jonathan Creek Road) Go about six miles and turn left onto Cove Creek Road, the last left turn before coming to I-40 intersection. When the road forks, keep right. Cove Creek is a steep, ten-mile, narrow, curving mountain road.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway’s exit at Soco Gap is the most frequently used access to the scenic road. from here you can go south to the southern end of the road in Cherokee and turn right to visit the mountain farmstead museum at the entrance to the park, or turn left and enter the Cherokee Indian reservation. If you head north, the whole length of the parkway is in front of you.
