Cataloochee Campground
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Write a Review Cataloochee Entrance Rd. Waynesville, NC 28785 828-497-9270 Reservations: 877-444-6777 Official WebsiteGPS: 35.6313, -83.0865
Overview of Cataloochee Campground
Reservations are required.
All food and equipment used to prepare and store food (stoves, pots, coolers, etc.) must be kept sealed in a vehicle (preferably the trunk) or in a camping unit constructed of solid, non-pliable material AT ALL TIMES when not in use. All scented items (candles, soap, etc.) as well as all water containers must also be stored. If your vehicle does not have a trunk for storing food and equipment, the following campgrounds have a limited number of food storage lockers: Abrams Creek, Big Creek, Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Cosby, Deep Creek, Elkmont, and Smokemont.
Dispose of garbage promptly in dumpsters provided. Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food, and scented items may be impounded by campground staff. This regulation will be strictly enforced and violators are subject to fines.
Last Price Paid: $15
Reported by Kayaker on 4/20/2023
Longest RV Reported: 38 feet (Class A)
Reported by TwoFlags on 10/23/2019
Number of Sites 27
Pad Type gravel
Reservations yes
Open Seasonally April - Oct.
Elevation 2,624 ft / 799 m
Max Length 31 ft
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Cataloochee Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 828-497-9270
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Reviews of Cataloochee Campground 11 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 1 User
Last reported 5/31/2023
“Loved the area”
Reviewed 5/31/2023
| Days stayed: | 2 |
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| Site Number: | 20 |
| RV Length: | 20' (Truck Camper) |
Overall Rating
We booked three nights over Memorial Day weekend 2023. We had read the mixed reviews about the road, so we knew it might be rough. To start, our Garmin routed us onto a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway even though we have it set up to ensure we travel on RV-friendly roads. The tunnel clearance signs made us nervous, but we made it thr... more
We booked three nights over Memorial Day weekend 2023. We had read the mixed reviews about the road, so we knew it might be rough. To start, our Garmin routed us onto a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway even though we have it set up to ensure we travel on RV-friendly roads. The tunnel clearance signs made us nervous, but we made it through just fine. What didn't however, was our weBoost. Some low-hanging branches on the Blue Ridge Parkway took it out.
The 11-mile windy, dirt, blind curve Cove Creek Road was a little stressful on the way in, but we didn't encounter very many cars coming the opposite way, so it wasn't too bad. We can't say the same for leaving, where we had to pull to the side or maneuver around multiple cars, which stressed us both out. We have a truck camper and could not imagine pulling a trailer down that road. If you're a tent camper in a regular vehicle you'll be fine on the road in.
Upon arrival, the campground host was friendly and gave us information about hikes in the area and the elk field. Those were our two main goals for choosing this campground over any others in the park. The bathrooms were clean, although we are self-contained, so we didn't use them often. There were lots of families and everyone seemed to be having a great time as they should. It was just a little noisy for us. Some kids had plastic bottles on their bikes to make noise.
Most other campers were tent campers. We saw one other truck camper on our last day, and less than a handful of trailers. We're aware that national park campsites don't offer the same amount of privacy that we usually like, but again our goal for this trip was to experience nature and wildlife. However, the sites around our site (#20) were much closer than we were comfortable with. Site 20 was huge though, so you could fit multiple cars there. If we ever went back, we would tent camp to ensure we have a small car to navigate the road in, and we would choose one of the riverside sites or the outer loop for more privacy.
We went down to the elk field the first evening and saw four elk grazing and a few wild turkeys. The next morning we got an early start and hiked 14 miles around the area and had a great time exploring the buildings. We hiked the Little Cataloochee Trail starting out from the school, which was pretty muddy. When we got back to camp we tried to sit outside our camper, but we felt like we were staring in the eyes of all of our neighbors. It started raining around 7 p.m., so we went inside for the night. The next morning it was still wet and was supposed to rain most of the day, so we decided to leave and explore a little more of the park outside of the valley. Once we went back down Cove Creek Road we did not want to do that again, so we found a Harvest Host to stay at for the last night of our trip, a little closer to home.
We had no service in the area. We had taken our weBoost off upon arrival to the campground since it was dangling off the top of the camper by its cord. But after a day of no service, we decided to rig it back up temporarily to see if we could get any bars, and we did get 2-4 bars (Verizon), sitting directly next to it inside.
Overall:
Campground was clean, bathrooms were clean, host was friendly.
Sites were close together for our liking, but that's personal preference and to be expected at a national park. Giving 3 stars for site quality since some people might not be as picky as we are. But for our taste, we would actually give it 1.
Campground was crowded, it was a holiday weekend and thus noisy for us, but that's personal preference and also expected.
Our solar worked even under the tree canopy.
The area was beautiful, and we saw elk.
Road in is not big-rig friendly.
No cell service.
Blog post that links to a video showing the road in/out: https://luvskyy.blogspot.com/2023/05/our-stay-at-cataloochee-campground.html
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Verizon 5G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“😳 Road”
Reviewed 4/20/2023
| Nightly rate: | $15 |
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| Site Number: | 11 |
Overall Rating
Like other reviews road in a challenge. Hairpin turns and you can’t see what’s coming other direction. Slow and steady. Campground nice and clean. Bathrooms clean. Host friendly and helpful got to see the elk in the fields. Oh and you get to do scary road a second time because that’s the only way in and out
Kayaker would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Absolutely Beautiful”
Reviewed 5/24/2022
| Nightly rate: | $25 |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 2 |
| RV Length: | 13' (Teardrop Trailer) |
Overall Rating
This is a beautiful campground for relaxation, hiking, and wildlife. Fishing was popular and good according to my neighbor. Steep, narrow, and winding unpaved (hairpin) turns make the access challenging and uninviting for visiting other Smokies areas, but worth the trip if you want to kick back for a few days. Elk roam the meadows and... more
This is a beautiful campground for relaxation, hiking, and wildlife. Fishing was popular and good according to my neighbor. Steep, narrow, and winding unpaved (hairpin) turns make the access challenging and uninviting for visiting other Smokies areas, but worth the trip if you want to kick back for a few days. Elk roam the meadows and grounds are well kept.
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Verizon
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice NP campground once you get there”
Reviewed 8/5/2021
| Days stayed: | 2 |
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| Site Number: | 25 |
Overall Rating
The drive in, and out, over several miles of unpaved, twisty-turny road with tight hairpin turns is challenging. But, once you get there it’s a nice little NP campground. Several preserved homes, a school house and church remain in the valley and are worth visiting. VERY limited Verizon signal (voice & txt only), and no AT&T signal, ev... more
The drive in, and out, over several miles of unpaved, twisty-turny road with tight hairpin turns is challenging. But, once you get there it’s a nice little NP campground. Several preserved homes, a school house and church remain in the valley and are worth visiting. VERY limited Verizon signal (voice & txt only), and no AT&T signal, even with a cell booster. A great get away, but make sure you bring everything you need with you. Otherwise it’s a long way back out…
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AT&T
RandyBee would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful, secluded, peaceful, windy narrow road, summer shade,”
Reviewed 7/16/2021
| Days stayed: | 3 |
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| Site Number: | 22 |
| RV Length: | 16' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Ditto on all the other reviews. There is a dish washing sink that we used to dump our bucket collected washing water. The camp host we had was great, Ginger. Hosts are volunteers that rotate. Make sure you check in and follow the regulations as they are politely enforced for the best camping experience. Lots of shade in July to make... more
Ditto on all the other reviews.
There is a dish washing sink that we used to dump our bucket collected washing water.
The camp host we had was great, Ginger. Hosts are volunteers that rotate. Make sure you check in and follow the regulations as they are politely enforced for the best camping experience.
Lots of shade in July to make the temperatures lovely.
If you need SOLAR POWER with rooftop panels, site 22 would be the best when leaves are on the trees. Any other site would give you maybe and hour or two if any sun. If you can chase the sun with panels then this would be my most sun to least list 22, 17, 16, 8, 9, 10.
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AT&T
Verizon
Stan would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazing and magical”
Reviewed 5/7/2021
| Nightly rate: | $24 |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 15 |
Overall Rating
The drive down was easy for us since we only had an RV that was 15 feet long. It would be very intense if you had a large camper. The Cataloochee valley is stunning and the wildlife is numerous. Great trails to hike on. The host was amazing and we enjoyed our time despite rain
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Verizon
Susan would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Pretty campground but intense hairpin curved dirt road to get to it”
Reviewed 5/2/2021
| Nightly rate: | $10 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 23 |
Overall Rating
Was a really danged long haul from Cherokee, NC, in the south. Google told me it was 37 mi but by the time I had gone up and over the steep mountain and down the hairpin dirt road with my poor pop up trailer, it was about an hour and a half! Note that I did see a fifth wheel that was maybe about 30 ft there, though I can hardly imagine... more
Was a really danged long haul from Cherokee, NC, in the south. Google told me it was 37 mi but by the time I had gone up and over the steep mountain and down the hairpin dirt road with my poor pop up trailer, it was about an hour and a half! Note that I did see a fifth wheel that was maybe about 30 ft there, though I can hardly imagine what he would have done had he encountered someone coming the other way on one of those dirt road hair pins.
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Verizon
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Difficult to get into the park but worth it”
Reviewed 9/25/2020
| Nightly rate: | $12 |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 25 |
| RV Length: | 18' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
The 12 mile road is barely wide enough for two cars much less if your pulling a trailer. Lots of blind curves with little clearance. It can be done but carefully. The parks is small and tight, if your over 20 ft it could be difficult to get into your site. Sites are typical national parks, no electricity, no dump station. Water is avai... more
The 12 mile road is barely wide enough for two cars much less if your pulling a trailer. Lots of blind curves with little clearance. It can be done but carefully. The parks is small and tight, if your over 20 ft it could be difficult to get into your site. Sites are typical national parks, no electricity, no dump station. Water is available.
Camp host is a wonderful lady, kind, considerate, very helpful. No camp store, no firewood for sale (host has wood for free and lets you borrow her axe) now the good part. September and October the elk are very active, boys chasing girls, making lots of noise. Turn left out of camp ground drive 1.5 miles to the big open fields and wildlife abounds. Elk, white tail deer, turkeys, lots of wildlife to be seen. Trout fishing can be great with good rainbow, Brown and native brook.. Water is clear and you have many of choices, go up stream and your small stream fishing, go down stream and its more river fishing. Hatches are minimal when I was there but a neighbor broke off several good fish dredging. You'll have to wade as banks are dense. Be prepared to have many day grippers during the rut, but plenty of room for all. Great hikes, easy road biking, friendly neighbors, you won't be disappointed once you get through the bad road.
fixinater 2 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Not for big rigs”
Reviewed 10/23/2019
| Nightly rate: | $12 |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 26 |
| RV Length: | 38' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
The campground is fine. Excellent if you get one of the sites on the water (#3, 5 or 7). The surrounding area is incredible. We saw wild turkey and elk as well as some stunning fall foliage. Why we won’t be back? Because we made the mistake of coming up that road everyone talks about in a 30 foot motorhome. Big mistake. Even thoug... more
The campground is fine. Excellent if you get one of the sites on the water (#3, 5 or 7). The surrounding area is incredible. We saw wild turkey and elk as well as some stunning fall foliage.
Why we won’t be back? Because we made the mistake of coming up that road everyone talks about in a 30 foot motorhome. Big mistake. Even though the folks at the Smoky Mountain NP ranger station told us “big rigs make the trip all the time” — don’t do it. Not in a 30 footer or longer. We were way too big for this place.
Got a tent, pop up or nimble small rig? Enjoy!
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AT&T
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Might be the best NPS camping we have done so far”
Reviewed 5/20/2019
| Nightly rate: | $25 |
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| Days stayed: | 6 |
Overall Rating
We camped here in early June of 2018. Wonderful National Park camping off the beaten path on the North Carolina side of GSMNP. Like most National Parks, this is dry camping with no hook ups, no dump station, and no showers/hot water at the restrooms. Not a problem for us because, frankly, that’s part of what we like about National Park... more
We camped here in early June of 2018. Wonderful National Park camping off the beaten path on the North Carolina side of GSMNP. Like most National Parks, this is dry camping with no hook ups, no dump station, and no showers/hot water at the restrooms. Not a problem for us because, frankly, that’s part of what we like about National Parks. Excellent trout fishing in the creek running next to the campground and elk all over the place. One important thing to note: the road in is NOT for the faint of heart. The posted max RV length is 31'. Our camper is 28’ long and I consider myself to be a solid driver. Maybe not nerves of steel but pretty close. Even so, I white knuckled it all the way in and out of the campground. It isn’t too bad if there are no other vehicles coming but if you do happen to meet one, you have to slow down, pick your spot, and then hug the side of the road while one of you drives by. You may even need to back up occasionally to get to a spot in the road wide enough for one of you to pass. Fair warning: Do NOT attempt this road with a big rig. I have a Chevy 2500 Silverado and a 28’ camper. I wouldn’t try it with anything bigger or longer than that. With that said, it is some of the best camping we have done and we will probably do it again, white knuckles and all!
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AT&T
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- restrooms: flush
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pet restrictions: Pets allowed in the campground. Hiking in the park with pets are allowed only on the roads, Oconaluftee River Trail and Gatlinburg Trail.
- pets
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