Cataloochee Valley Update

We’re excited to share that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will reopen parts of Cataloochee Valley on April 4 by 12 PM EST, after being closed since September 2024 due to damage from Hurricane Helene.

Repairs completed by the National Park Service (NPS) include:

  • Re-graveled sections of Cataloochee Entrance Road, Cataloochee Creek Road, parking areas near Palmer House, and Cataloochee Group Camp Road.
  • Completed emergency stabilization of Hiram Caldwell Barn.
  • Addressed many downed and hazard trees around roads, campgrounds and buildings throughout the valley.
  • Assessed trail conditions across 60 miles of trails and completed some trail restoration.
  • Addressed significant erosion around Caldwell Barn and restrooms and Beech Grove School.

Roads reopening on April 4:

  • Cataloochee Entrance Road up to Beech Grove School.
  • Cataloochee Creek Road to the Old Cataloochee Entrance Road Bridge
  • Old Highway 284. Visitors will be able to drive Cataloochee Valley Entrance Road up to Beech Grove School.

Access and safety notes:

  • Upper Cataloochee Valley Entrance Road is open to foot traffic only (uneven and damaged).
  • Cove Creek Road and Old Highway 284 are narrow, winding gravel roads with potential hazards—drive with caution.
  • Old Highway 284 may close during severe weather.

Trail conditions:

  • Most trails are open but may have hazards (fallen trees, erosion, landslides).
  • Foot logs are missing, and some trails are closed to horses.
  • Hikers should check latest trail conditions and hiking safety tips on the park website before visiting.

Easter 2025 Restaurants Schedules

Maggie Valley Club
Easter Brunch 2 Seatings 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Reservations Needed

J Arthur’s Restaurant
Open at 4:00 p.m.

Lake Junaluska
Breakfast 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.; Brunch 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Cataloochee Ranch
Open 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Reservations Required

Maggie Valley Restaurant
Open 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Valley Tavern
Open at 2:00 p.m. Music at 4:00 p.m.

Meadowlark Motel’s Homecraft Restaurant
Brunch 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; Dinner 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Maggie Valley Breakfast Depot
Open regular hours

Country Vittles
Open regular hours

Pop’s Place
Open 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Pop’s Butts on the Creek
Open 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The following restaurants are closed on Easter Sunday
Twisted Spoke
Joey’s Pancake House
Brickhouse Burgers & Pizza
Organic Beans Coffee Company
Sippers in the Valley
Legend’s Sports Grille & Bar
Maggie Valley Sandwich Shop

 

Small Business Recovery Grant

Flood-impacted businesses in Haywood County can apply for up to $25,000 in grant funds thanks to a program available through the Haywood Advancement Foundation and the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority.

The Haywood County Small Business Recovery Grant Program: Hurricane Helene Response, is designed to support small businesses in Haywood County that were impacted by Hurricane Helene. Initial funding of $100,000 from both Haywood Advancement and Haywood County Tourism Authority jump started the grant program.

Eligible businesses can receive up to $25,000 to cover rebuilding, recovery, and operational losses attributable to Hurricane Helene. Business losses due to reduced tourism are also eligible.To qualify, businesses must:

  • Be a for-profit business with 25 or fewer employees that operates within Haywood County.
  • Use funds for working capital to maintain or restart operations; repairs to owned or leased buildings; to replace inventory lost or damaged during the storm, to cover lease or mortgage payments on business property; to buy or repair equipment or to cover payroll shortages due to temporary closures;
  • Must be in good financial standing.

The application process requires documentation of damage, disclosure of any insurance coverage and claims documentation and a narrative on how funds were spent, as well as photos. Grant funds must be spent within six months of receipt. The program opened on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 and will last until available funds are awarded. To apply for or donate to the program, visit haywoodadvancement.org or contact David Francis at [email protected] or 828/456.3021.

Because donations for the program are still coming in, there is no firm estimate on how much assistance will be available. So far, $350,000 has been pledged to the program. Major donors to date include:

· David and Annie Colquitt, Cataloochee Ranch/The Swag

· Haywood County Tourism Development Authority

· NC Commerce

· United Way of Waynesville.

The program is being handled through the Haywood Advancement Foundation; a nonprofit corporation established in 1990 to oversee economic development and support the community of Haywood County.

Your Chamber Board 2025

Patty Carter – Maggie Valley Puzzle Rooms, President
Randy Fisher – Maggie Valley Embroidery, Vice President
Brad Pendley – Maggie Mountaineer Crafts, Treasurer
Melissa Pless – Premier Vacation Rentals, Secretary
Angela Frisbee – Route 19 Inn
Christine Chamberlain – Organic Beans Coffee Company
Val Gene “Pop” Hamilton – Pop’s Place
Sonja Michels – Creekwood Village Resort
Brittany Heathman – Mountain Dreams Realty
Teresa Smith – Chamber Executive Director

Governor Stein recently announced new Grants for Small Businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene.

These grants will help businesses make payroll, pay operating expenses, and stabilize the local economy as tourism slowly ramps up again.

Funds will be managed by Appalachian Community Capital, with the partnership of the Community Reinvestment Fund on the application process. Eligible businesses can apply through the portal. (Link below).

Application window is open through February 21, 2025. Eligibility requirements are below:

  • Businesses with an annual revenue of up to and including $2.5 million
  • Businesses in the 28 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians that are covered by President Biden’s federal disaster declaration or in Dogwood Health Trust’s 18-county footprint, including:  Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, Yancey.

https://appalachiancommunitycapitalcdfi.org/wnscb-grant/

2025 Maggie Valley Visitor Guide

The 2025 Maggie Valley Visitor Guide is here! Come by and pick up a box or two! Our new address is 3933 Soco Road (Directly behind the ABC Store)

UPCOMING FESTIVALS

2025 Calendar of Events is ready for you! Visit the website below. A printable version is on the website, too!
Check our website: www.MaggieValleyFestivalGrounds.com or MaggieValley.org

RISE and SHINE

9:00 a.m. 1st WEDNESDAY
Maggie Valley Town Hall Pavilion
Coffee provided

Our 2025 Schedule

May 7
June 4
August 6
October 1
November 5

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS in 2025!!

WNC Washing & Staining, Inc – Premier Partner
Hambleton Gardens, Inc – Premier Partner
Gene Ferguson Moving Company, Inc. – Business Partner
The Greek Place – Business Partner
Brickhouse Burgers & Pizza – Business Partner
HH Walker & Company – Business Partner
Distinctive Building & Design – Business Partner
HomeCraft – Art of the Kitchen & Cocktails – Business Partner
WesMar Mountain Parkview Vacation Rental- Business Partner
MMT Holdings LLC – Business Partner
PK’s Garage – Business Partner

Maggie Valley Festival Grounds Schedule 2025

Visit this page often for the latest information on Festivals and Events held at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

www.maggievalleyfestivalgrounds.com