Cataloochee Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC

Cataloochee Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 4 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,610 feet. There are a total of 27 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 24 and 38 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. There is a fee of $30.00 per night. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.

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Campsite Reviews (198)

4.7 out of 5

5 star		76%
4 star		10%
3 star		5%
2 star		3%
1 star		1%

@LARRYD7070149 · Camped on Sep 24, 2024 at Campsite #12

I have been to Cataloochee Campground a few times over the last 20 years. My favorite time is during the elk rutting season. The elk come out into the meadow at sunup and sundown for many great photo opportunities. The location is a difficult drive which limits crowds. A positive for me! You must take in all supplies, food, water etc.On this trip, I want to thank the camp host for warning me of the coming flood (Hurricane Helene). So, I left a night early and avoided potential complications from wind and water.

@JamesF9843907 · Camped on Sep 14, 2024 at Campsite #9

I recently had an unpleasant encounter with the campground host that left a lot to be desired in terms of hospitality. From the moment we interacted, she was rude and dismissive. She complained about not having my information, which seemed to be more about her own shortcomings than anything I did. Rather than owning her mistakes or the limitations of her system, she insisted I should have been more prepared, placing the blame on me for her own lack of organization. Its unfortunate to feel like you're being scolded as a guest, especially when the issues stemmed from her inability to handle things on her end. Definitely not the kind of attitude you expect when you're out trying to enjoy a peaceful stay.

@DanaB7254836 · Camped on Sep 13, 2024 at Campsite #18

Campsite was exactly as described on rec.gov. Camp host was amazing and directed us where to see elk and historical sights. We have a large popup and the trek in was intimidating with the narrow roads and outgoing traffic, but it was not an issue.

@JoshuaS4039138 · Camped on Sep 7, 2024 at Campsite #2

Nice, clean campground.

@JamieS2917031 · Camped on Sep 2, 2024 at Campsite #10

Cataloochee is a small campground that requires advance reservations. We were there midweek for 2 nights and it was quiet and there were many open sites. The road into the campground is very narrow, mostly gravel, 10 miles long with many blind curves and switchbacks. If you survive the drive in and don't meet someone towing an RV or horse trailer you will be rewarded with a lovely, secluded place to spend some time. Timing is everything! If you are towing, don't arrive before noon and don't leave too late in the morning. The road into Cataloochee could be considered One Way for towing. Morning is for those leaving the campground and afternoon is for arrivals. There is no hot water, no showers and no dump station. There are water pumps at the campground so you can fill your fresh water tank. The campground host is lovely and kept an eye on things without being intrusive. The restrooms are clean and have a soap dispenser. It's a beautiful campground next to a creek with lots of wildlife (especially elk) and many hiking trails. We recommend the campsites on the outside of the loop. The ones in the middle have no privacy and are quite small.

@RobertB6182770 · Camped on Aug 12, 2024 at Campsite #10

If you take your time and use lower gears, the drive to the Cataloochee campground is fine; a lot of it is paved. The friendly campground host gave us the tag for our campsite and warned us about recent visits by a mama bear and two cubs. We never saw them. We have a small RV, and moving it would have been inconvenient, so we walked wherever we went. One afternoon we moved our chairs a little to watch the two bull elk and three cows wandering around the campground entertaining some children playing and eating leaves. Another day we walked with our dog to the old ranger station and the Will Messer Barn with its new metal roof and had lunch. The Jarvis Palmer House was our lunch spot for the next day where we ate on the back steps of the house and watched 6 elk munching on the grassy field between the house and the barn. Two elk wandered into the "Blacksmith Shop" and licked something inside above the door frame. They paid no attention to our 10-pound barking dog.We enjoyed our campsite. The fire ring was used for S'mores every night. The lantern post was used to tie up our dog with enough leash to explore some trees on our campsite. There was always room in the bear-proof trash recepticles, and the restroom were kept in good shape.This our third year camping here and we'll be back because it's a wonderful get-away to part of God's creation we don't see often and where, unlike many other campgrounds, there is no internet to distract us from enjoying it.

@CharlesC950415 · Camped on Jul 21, 2024 at Campsite #10

saw lots of elk. even four hogs that need to die.lots of trails to walk

@ChristieK88181 · Camped on Jun 21, 2024 at Campsite #22

Campground was as expected. Clean bathrooms, well laid out flat sites and easy access to bear proof trash cans. We spent four nights and the neighbors were all very friendly and respectful of space and noise level. Would highly recommend if you are looking to stay away from the summer crowds.

@KarieMF3C066E8 · Camped on Jun 14, 2024 at Campsite #6

We love camping here- it's quiet and laid back. Will be back.

@JohnW6002125 · Camped on Jun 13, 2024 at Campsite #20

Very secluded and a ton of wildlife

@NancyC3864592 · Camped on Jun 6, 2024 at Campsite #2

Love Cataloochee...it's on the quieter side. But watch out for the elk. One of them was determined to make off with my camp chair. Another camper came to my rescue & was able to shoo the elk away.

@PamelaK2026168 · Camped on Jun 5, 2024 at Campsite #7

Narrow, winding road up to the campground, but little oncoming traffic. I have a van and wouldnt want to tow a trailer up there. Couple of spots where someone has to back up. However, campground was well worth the drive. Lovely, quiet site right on the river. Was only there one night but would love to go back.

@BarbSB44B321A3 · Camped on Jun 5, 2024 at Campsite #9

Fantastic campground! We've enjoyed camping at Cataloochee for ten years, it's a smaller campground with only basic facilities but the hiking and the wildlife are great! You could expect to see elk, turkey, lots of birds and an occasional bear. The drive in isn't for the faint of heart, just go slow.

@KimberlyW93778 · Camped on Jun 4, 2024 at Campsite #14

Wonderful small campground. The fireflies were amazing!!! Love how remote this campground is and love to go there.

@MattN1DB9908D6 · Camped on Jun 3, 2024 at Campsite #17

We loved this campground and area. It was quiet and beautiful. At night the synchronized fireflies came out behind our campsite. Two evenings, elk walked thru the campground. Will definitely visit again.

@ALFREDF14D45C5 · Camped on May 23, 2024 at Campsite #18

Great campground for a spring or summer getaway. It's a 30 minute drive off the main road even though it's only 10 miles. Don't forget to get your parking pass for outside the campground. There's only a bathroom not a shower.

@BruceK2612995 · Camped on May 20, 2024 at Campsite #1

Great place. I fish most of the time and it is great for that. Make sure you have what you need as it takes awhile to get back to "town".

@TaraD5303271 · Camped on May 18, 2024 at Campsite #8

Wonderful campground! Hostess was very nice and came around the park a lot to make sure all was well! The sound of the river is so peaceful and relaxing! Bathrooms were very clean and well kept! We will be staying here again soon for sure!

@johnj3134199 · Camped on May 14, 2024 at Campsite #19

My grandparents were from there so we go there often. The maintenance crews do a good job keeping it maintained. It's good to see that some of the buildings are being repaired but there is much more that needs work.

@BobR3972553 · Camped on May 13, 2024 at Campsite #3

Our campsite already had my name and departure date posted on the site sign when I arrived. This site was probably the best front country campsite I have ever stayed in. Appreciated the message board with weather updates.

@KennethW379361 · Camped on Apr 30, 2024 at Campsite #1

What a great time! The host, Ken was very helpful and friendly. Ken and the Forest Sevice personnel do a great job!

@MdHasanB09C5DE · Camped on Apr 26, 2024 at Campsite #1

We stayed at site 1 and had a really good experience. The location is close to thw only restroom in the camp as well as to the creek. The campsite was very clean. Ken, the camp host was super friendly.

@JamesK1667053 · Camped on Apr 12, 2024 at Campsite #4

Do NOT book a site here if you are afraid of narrow roads and blind hairpin turns on steep, barrier-free terrain. The destination was not worth the stressful drive as sites were tight and families let children run the place without respect for campsite boundaries. Screaming gangs of children are tolerable in larger campgrounds, but not in this fishbowl with nowhere for them to go and at 7:00am. The best part of the experience was the host. Recommend reminders of campground etiquette (not that offenders would comply anyway) and a more severe warning about the access road on the rec.gov description.

@MichelleW64922 · Camped on Mar 29, 2024 at Campsite #8

Site was not the best - Site 8 You could see where they had cut a lot of trees in/near the site. Which was fine but they placed all the debris from the trees in the paths going to the river so the site had no access to the water (one reason we booked this site). Also the men who had booked site 9 should never have been in the campground. They left a cooler out the first day while gone fishing. The next evening as sitting around the campfire several of them went to the back side of the campsite to pee. All of the campground could see what they were doing if they looked. Not only was it bad they did it in site of anyone it was right next to the river. Looked for the host that evening and next morning and never saw them to let them know about it. We love camping here so we will be back, this one bad trip will not stop of from others.

@DougC2292861 · Camped on Mar 29, 2024 at Campsite #14

Opening weekend.the camping was wonderful and very, very clean!! Maintenance at the campground is always done with PRIDE! Will go back and will continue to camp there with the family. The host is a great guy and very friendly.

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