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NatureNational & State Parks

This Historic North Carolina Ghost Town Would Be A Great Home To The Next State Park

Ghost Town in the Sky in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, could be revitalized as a state park, preserving its historic charm and natural beauty.

Updated Mar 19, 2024

Written by 

Carolyn Harmon

On May 1, 1961, Ghost Town in the Sky brought historic fun to folks of all ages visiting the beautiful Maggie Valley and its surrounding Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While there is no talk of it becoming the next state park in North Carolina, we think it would make a great home for one. Sitting right there in the state's natural resources makes it a delightful idea. And wrapped in the state's love, just imagine how much greater the Ghost Town in the Sky could become. Unfortunately, the park has been closed a couple of times and is now permanently closed. Let's see why this former wild-west wonderland would be a great home to the next state park. Being a state park would give new life to lots of ghost towns in North Carolina!

Located in Maggie Valley, which sits near the forested Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Soco Falls, Deep Creek Trail, and other wildlife management areas, lies the currently-closed Ghost Town in the Sky.

A scenic view from a ski lift overlooking a forested hillside and a valley below, with a road and buildings in the distance.
Tom C/TripAdvisor

The park's founder was R.B. Coburn who like many others, moved to the captivating Maggie Valley.

A rustic stone building with "Ghost Town Village" sign, featuring a ticket window and surrounded by greenery.
HattieMags/TripAdvisor

The park briefly reopened as Ghost Town Village in 2014.

Its home was 250 acres on top of the majestic Buck Mountain, part of the history of the Smokies, which is the main reason we think it would make a great home to the next state park.

A ski lift ascends a green hillside, surrounded by trees and under a partly cloudy sky. Stone structure in the foreground.
HattieMags/TripAdvisor

Part of the excitement was the ride up about 5,000 feet above sea level.

The gunfights, reenactments, and saloon dancers brought families fun for decades.

Black and white image of a deserted ghost town with old buildings and a sign indicating a population of 681.
RILKEAN/TripAdvisor

The state could add educational buildings or a raptor center, reflecting the area's history. This place could be the most exciting of the North Carolina ghost towns!

How often do you ride a roller coaster with this as your view?

A roller coaster track winds through a scenic landscape with mountains in the background and a wooden fence in the foreground.
Frodo1111/TripAdvisor

This early postcard shows the park in its heyday when it attracted thousands of visitors to enjoy an afternoon back in time.

A vintage Western town scene with wooden buildings, people watching a shootout in the street, and barrels scattered around.
TipsFromABellman/TripAdvisor

Why couldn't this happen again at the next state park?

If you go to Maggie Valley today, you can see remnants of this magical place. If you think it would make a nice home for the newest of the state parks in North Carolina, please tell us why in the comments section. And if you are looking for more unique things to do in our state, check out TripAdvisor Booking/Experiences.

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