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
Missing information? Let us know

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
Price not available
🚐 10, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 11, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 12, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 13, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 14, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 15, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 16, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 17, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 18, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 19, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 2, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 20, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 21, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 22, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 23, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 24, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 25, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 26, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 27, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 3, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 4, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 5, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 6, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 7, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 8, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 9, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Electric Only
Price not available

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

Patricia J

Verified

May 19, 2024 Stayed at: 2, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Sweet!

Kenneth W

Verified

May 9, 2024 Stayed at: 1, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

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

Kenneth W

Verified

May 9, 2024 Stayed at: 1, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

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

Md. Hasanur R

Verified

April 30, 2024 Stayed at: 1, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

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.

Md. Hasanur R

Verified

April 30, 2024 Stayed at: 1, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

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.

Joseph S

Verified

April 26, 2024 Stayed at: 8, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

This was our third visit to Cataloochee. We wouldn’t camp anywhere else in the Smokies! It’s quiet, peaceful ,shady and far from the crowds. The bathrooms need some updating but that’s the only negative thing I can say.

Joseph S

Verified

April 26, 2024 Stayed at: 8, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

This was our third visit to Cataloochee. We wouldn’t camp anywhere else in the Smokies! It’s quiet, peaceful ,shady and far from the crowds. The bathrooms need some updating but that’s the only negative thing I can say.

James K

Verified

April 20, 2024 Stayed at: 4, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

2

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.

James K

Verified

April 20, 2024 Stayed at: 4, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

2

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.

Caleb E

Verified

April 7, 2024 Stayed at: 17, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Awesome campsite, hosts were fantastic. So much to explore in the valley, bring your bikes and explore old Cataloochee Trail Road

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 6, 2026

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