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Experience nature in Maggie Valley

Maggie Valley is a great destination for a family vacation. Not only is there an array of majestic scenery to appreciate, there are also plenty of activities to enjoy. You can spend family time out hiking in the summer months, or taking to the slopes during snowy winters.

The family feel continues in areas like Cherokee where you can take a look around the local craft shops and visit a petting zoo. One of the best things about staying at a motel near Cherokee is that you and your family can be in close proximity to the local flora and fauna of the area.

Black bears

If you want to see black bears in the wild, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the best places to do so. It’s a protected area where these giant animals can live at peace in a natural environment. It’s estimated that there are around 1,500 bears in the park, so there is a good chance that you might spot one.

If you do encounter one of these bears during a visit to the park, it’s important that you are careful. Getting too close to a black bear can disturb it and may cause it to become aggressive. This is the last thing you want to happen when an animal can be up to six feet long and three feet high, with an average male adult weight of 250 lbs. Black bears are amazing creatures but they are best viewed from a safe distance.

White tailed deer

In contrast to the vast size of black beers, white tailed deer are the smallest breed of deer found in North America. They spend most of their time in the summer months in fields. They only take to forest areas when they need shade. The situation changes when winter arrives. At this point the white tailed deer head to forested areas in search of shelter.

Elk

The elk that you may see in the area are also known as wapiti. This alternative name is a Native American word which means light colored deer. Although elk are related to the deer family they are very different in size to white tailed deer. These animals are large, with a male’s antlers often reaching four feet in length.

Hepaticas

It is not just about the wildlife when you are in the vicinity of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; there is plenty of attractive flora to look at too. The hepitica is a perennial plant that has flowers of several colors; blue, violet, pink and white. If you are visiting the Maggie Valley area in late winter and early spring, you may find yourself walking amongst these plants.

Asters

You may have heard asters referred to as Michaelmas daisies and they have a daisy-like appearance. The name of the plant has Greek origins and makes reference to the star-like shape the petals make. Walking along in the Maggie valley area you may see asters in shades including purple, lavender, blue, red, white and pink.

Head to Maggie Valley and you can experience all of this nature, virtually on your doorstep.

 

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