Cataloochee Campground

Elk
CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

Featured amenities

Restrooms Restrooms

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

27 total sites

RV Sites

27 sites

About Cataloochee Campground

Cataloochee campground is located in the historic Cataloochee Valley--a relatively remote part of Smoky Mountain National Park. The secluded setting offers visitors the ability to enjoy a multitude of recreational activities like hiking and fishing, without the crowds, which are sometimes common in other parts of the park.

Number of accommodations: 27

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 1 to Oct 25

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Restrooms Restrooms
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Restrooms
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Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

27 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 1, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 10, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 11, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 12, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 13, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 14, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 15, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 16, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 17, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 18, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 19, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 2, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 20, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 21, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 22, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 23, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 24, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 25, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 26, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 27, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 3, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 4, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 5, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 6, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 7, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 8, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
🚐 9, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only

Reviews (818)

What Guests Are Saying

Cataloochee Campground offers a beautiful and peaceful camping experience, with friendly hosts and abundant wildlife, including elk and bears. The area is well-maintained, featuring clean facilities and a lovely creek, making it ideal for photography and exploration. However, access can be challenging due to rough roads, and some sites may have issues with standing water and proximity to neighbors.

Review Summary

4.7
818 reviews
5
78.5%
642
4
15.2%
124
3
3.7%
30
2
2.1%
17
1
0.6%
5

Jason B

Verified

April 28, 2022 Stayed at: 3, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

4

Jason B

Verified

April 28, 2022 Stayed at: 3, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

4

Jason B

Verified

April 28, 2022 Stayed at: 3, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

4

John W

Verified

April 8, 2022 Stayed at: 18, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

4

Nice secluded campground tucked back in the mountains. You have to drive a narrow, curvy dirt road for miles in the mountains to get to it. In places, the road is just barely wide enough for two regular-sized vehicles to squeeze past each other. The sites are of good size and the bathroom was clean.

John W

Verified

April 8, 2022 Stayed at: 18, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

4

Nice secluded campground tucked back in the mountains. You have to drive a narrow, curvy dirt road for miles in the mountains to get to it. In places, the road is just barely wide enough for two regular-sized vehicles to squeeze past each other. The sites are of good size and the bathroom was clean.

William C

Verified

December 29, 2021 Stayed at: 9, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Bring plenty of kiln-dried firewood this time of year. Very pleasant experience.

William C

Verified

December 29, 2021 Stayed at: 9, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Bring plenty of kiln-dried firewood this time of year. Very pleasant experience.

SCOTT P

Verified

November 12, 2021 Stayed at: 27, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Wonderful, well kept secret of the park system. Beautiful trails, campgrounds, historical buildings, streams, creeks, rivers and waterfalls. Everything is well maintained and clean. Please be aware that the ride into the park is very intense. Not for the faint of heart. Love this park.

SCOTT P

Verified

November 12, 2021 Stayed at: 27, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Wonderful, well kept secret of the park system. Beautiful trails, campgrounds, historical buildings, streams, creeks, rivers and waterfalls. Everything is well maintained and clean. Please be aware that the ride into the park is very intense. Not for the faint of heart. Love this park.

Marguerite B

Verified

November 8, 2021 Stayed at: 17, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

A true outdoor experience is what awaits the camper at Cataloochee. As if surrounded by GSMNPark isn't enough, there are trails within a few yards of the CG entrance, the sound of Cataloochee creek is ever present, lots of previously inhabited buildings to explore and of course the main attraction, the magnificent Elk just down the road. Can't beat the front row seats for viewing. Once camp is set there is no reason to wind back up the dirt road for anything. Be happy, respect and love the space.

Location Cataloochee Campground

Address:
3576 Ranger Station Rd
Waynesville, NC, 37876
United States

Highway access

Cataloochee Campground is accessible via I-40, with Exit 20 providing the nearest access point. From the interstate, travelers can reach the campground by following Cove Creek Road to the park boundary.

Elevation: 801 feet

Nearby National Park

Yosemite National Park

Arch Rock Entrance

Approximate driving time: 55 min

Distance to downtown

22 mi drive to downtown Waynesville (about 49 min)

Nearby Campgrounds


Last updated: September 10, 2026

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