Cataloochee Horse Camp, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC

Cataloochee Horse Camp is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 5 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,748 feet. There are a total of 7 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 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. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.

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Campsite Reviews (26)

4.5 out of 5

5 star		73%
4 star		8%
3 star		15%
2 star		4%
1 star		0%

@SarahR6066410 · Camped on Jun 28, 2024 at Campsite #1

Beautiful scenery, wildlife viewing, campsite is nicely laid out.

@SteveA2172208 · Camped on Jun 13, 2024 at Campsite #3

We have stayed at Cataloochee Horse camp several times over past 5 years and it has always been great. The bathrooms are always cleaned daily and the camp is clean. The are two pit toilets and 2 cisterns for get water for your horses. Elk walk through camp regularly, especially of a morning and evening. There are several trails to ride horse on. The only issue we have seen is sometimes people run generators late past quite time.

@AllanB6F7730E4 · Camped on Jun 9, 2024 at Campsite #7

Very little riding because of trees across trails. Trails were as bad as I've seen. People in horse camp running generators all night ignoring rules. Not what it used to be.

@MargaretB35008 · Camped on Oct 12, 2023 at Campsite #6

We have been coming to Cataloochee Horse Camp every year for 20 years. The campground is always kept up and clean. The Park employees and volunteers are always nice and helpful. In my opinion on the horse trails, I have noticed over the years when trail maintenance is done, the trails are being tailored more to hikers and making some places difficult for horses to navigate.

@RickieM5819394 · Camped on Aug 19, 2022 at Campsite #7

Fantastic time riding through the Smokies. Cataloochee boost lots of historic buildings and wildlife for your enjoyment. One of our families favorite destinations every year:

@JenniferI56345 · Camped on Jul 15, 2022 at Campsite #4

Cataloochee is one of our most favorite places to stay. The only recommendation I have is if the road into the horse camp, if the trees could be trimmed back some. Actually it wouldn't hurt to remove some of those trees along side of the road as they could potentially be hazardous to those traveling into the horse camp due to their proximity to the road.

@TerryL3632706 · Camped on Jun 1, 2022 at Campsite #7

It would have been excellent except the restroom was infested with a million gnats and some of the other campers was running their generators after 8:00 pm

@KarenF9576130 · Camped on Jun 1, 2022 at Campsite #6

It would be helpful for quiet time at Cataloochee Horse campground to start at 10 pm and end at 6am. When riding horses there the loops are very long and have to be heading out by 8 am. If you use a generator to make coffee you don’t have time because quiet time ends at 8am.

@MaxG6456405 · Camped on May 17, 2022 at Campsite #7

We had a great experence.

@wades1574140 · Camped on Apr 15, 2022 at Campsite #4

We had a wonderful trip and the good folks from Backcountry horsemen were clearing trails. Thank to them and the park for the work you do to keep trails cleared for the riders enjoyment.

@AmberM6772692 · Camped on Oct 10, 2021 at Campsite #6

Absolutely wonderful! Would not recommend site # 7 in fall of year due to the black walnuts falling from the tree onto the top of your trailer. Our neighbors in that site had a rough time LOL. Bring your own potatoble water.

@AmberM482 · Camped on Oct 10, 2021 at Campsite #6

@JudiJ301 · Camped on Oct 9, 2021 at Campsite #7

Don’t use sights 6 or 7 after the walnuts are mature and falling. Wonderful place. Wonderful riding!

@JudiJ7220934 · Camped on Oct 9, 2021 at Campsite #7

Don’t use sights 6 or 7 after the walnuts are mature and falling. Wonderful place. Wonderful riding!

@JaniceN9842671 · Camped on Sep 26, 2021 at Campsite #6

EXCELLENT Best horse camping in the Smokies

@JaniceN238 · Camped on Sep 26, 2021 at Campsite #6

EXCELLENT Best horse camping in the Smokies

@WadeR8587248 · Camped on Sep 22, 2021 at Campsite #6

Camp was supposed to be full except lot 7. ...only two trailers day of arrival and only 3 more for the time we were there. Reservations cancelled? And reservation company did not delete? And collected commission? Why are camps full online but not when you arrive. Need to have a two week cancellation I place. Need rangers to send in occupancy stats.

@WadeR136 · Camped on Sep 22, 2021 at Campsite #6

@MindaD136 · Camped on Sep 16, 2021 at Campsite #7

Best camping spot yet! Very clean and private!

@CheyenneS828 · Camped on Aug 22, 2021 at Campsite #6

The horse camp was in the best shape I have seen it in years. The trails were very well manicured and not overgrown. The park volunteers came by and cleaned the pit toilets everyday and checked on us. I have been camping in the horse camp in Cataloochee since I was a child, and this was the cleanest and most well manicured I remember it being in years!

@TerryL117 · Camped on Jun 2, 2021 at Campsite #7

Wonderful weather. Peace and quiet The wildlife rangers are very helpful and courteous

@JaimeD792 · Camped on Oct 23, 2020 at Campsite #3

A remote gem. Fantastic location, nice facility.

@MargaretB972 · Camped on Oct 1, 2020 at Campsite #5

I stayed at the horse camp. The campground was in good shape and maintained well. The trails were in pretty good shape. Will be back next year.

@LauraO556 · Camped on Oct 8, 2019 at Campsite #3

We loved the camp sites. Getting there was an adventure in itself. Be sure to adhere to the trailer length advice. The road leading in is narrow, dangerous and will make you pray even if your not religious. The trails are adventurous as well with spectacular views. Be sure your horses are well conditioned. The rangers visit often and are very helpful. The elk come right into camp. I would go back again.

@ChristineC400 · Camped on Sep 20, 2019 at Campsite #1

My husband and I had a great time riding the trails, visiting the historical cabins and Elk watching! We hope to make this trip every year!

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