Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Maggie Valley

"Clingman’s Dome is located inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is the highest point in the state of Tennessee. This tall mountain reaches 6,643 feet at its summit, which is accessible by a paved trail that leads to the observation tower at the top. From there, visitors can see amazing 360-degree panoramic views of the park and the surrounding mountains, which on a clear day can expand for over 100 miles."

"Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, standing at 6,643 feet. The best spot to take in the sights is from the observation tower, which offers 360-degree views of the Smoky Mountains and beyond. The half-mile walk to the top of the tower is well worth it!"

"At the 25-foot-high Grotto Falls, you can enjoy the unique experience of walking behind the falls, which can be a welcome refreshment on hot, humid summer days. The trail leading to the falls is beautiful as well, as it passes through old-growth forests and ecosystems and gives visitors opportunities to see animals such as black bears, elk and deer. To access the falls coming from Gatlinburg on the parkway, turn onto the Historic Natural Trail at traffic light #8, which will lead to Great Smoky Mountains National Park."

"We thoroughly enjoyed our hike to Grotto Falls, and excitingly on this hike we had our first bear sighting, at a safe distance off the trail and there was a ranger nearby. The hike is a 1.3 mile round trip and our kids handled it easily. And the cool thing about this waterfall is you can walk right behind the falls."

"Grotto Falls is the only waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that a person can actually walk behind. The 25-foot high waterfall offers a cool, shady, and moist retreat for summer hikers. This same environment also provides ideal habitat for salamanders as well."

"This water hike in the Smoky Mountains is only 1.1 miles roundtrip, making it the perfect nature walk for anyone!. The trail is marked, so it is easy to navigate the path. You’ll walk past streams and across a foot bridge."

"On this hike you get the benefit of seeing two Smoky Mountain Waterfalls. The first is the 80 feet high Toms Branch Falls. The park service has installed benches so you can sit and admire the falls."

"Mingo Falls is not technically within the park but rather on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. However, it is still very close and worth the visit, as it is one of the tallest and most stunning waterfalls in the Southern Appalachians. To access the trail leading to the falls, drive south from the Oconalufteee Visitor Center on US-441 toward Cherokee and take the second left onto Big Cove Rd."

"At 120 feet tall, the waterfall is one of the tallest and most spectacular in the southern Appalachians. The trail to the base of the falls is very steep, but well worth the effort."

"Not too many years ago in the hills of Tennessee, Moonshiners hid their stills from Federal Revenuers as they continued the 200-year-old tradition of making high-proof ’shine’ from corn mash and sugar. It was called hooch, mountain dew, white lightning and the better known name of Moonshine, all made famous in the 1958 movie “Thunder Road” starring Robert Mitchum and Gene Barry, and shot in Cocke County, Tennessee, right next door to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. But today, there has been a revival of the drink with the passing of legislation making production of Moonshine legal in Tennessee, and distillers have been coming out of the woods ever since."

"New to The Island in Pigeon Forge, Yee-Haw Brewing Co. is one of Tennessee’s most popular breweries. Its new location in the Smokies allows visitors to enjoy a pint or a flight of the brewery’s signature beers. The venue includes 20 taps that serve all of the brewery’s products, and it is the first location to offer large format bottles of bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey aged beers."

"The latest Pigeon Forge brewery to hit the craft beer scene is Yee-Haw Brewing Co and it’s already generating 5-star reviews. Located on 131 The Island Drive, it’s right next door to the Old Smoky Mountain Distillery. There’s live music on the weekends and they’ve got a World Beer Cup winner to brag about-their Dunkel beer."

"Pigeon Forge’s only family sports grill, Blue Moose is well worth visiting for fans of burgers and wings throughout the state and beyond. Fans of the latter will find them in 16 different flavors, from the harmless but tasty such as Lemon Pepper and Italian Parmesan to a flavor known only as ‘Atomic,’ graded ‘HOT!!!!. ’ (yes, with four exclamation marks on the menu)."

"One of the best Pigeon Forge restaurants for a burger is Blue Moose. They have all the classic American appetizers, from chicken wings to nachos. You can get salads or other kinds of sandwiches, such as cheesesteaks or chicken wraps."

"According to our server the chef has been making the food at the restaurant for over 30 years. Tucked away off the main street along one of the side walkways. They bring out each dish on its own plate which is nice because you can order a variety of things and easily share dishes with everyone in your group."

"The food is low quality, one of the worst Chinese food I have eaten in a restaurant. The food matches the deco, which is very basic, low end.It is…"

"Cashier went from handling money to handling food without washing hands. Cook came out of the bathroom right to cooking food without washing hands.…"