Cataloochee Campground

3576 Ranger Station Rd, Waynesville, North Carolina, United States
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Elk
CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Cataloochee Map
CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

Featured amenities

Restrooms Restrooms
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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.

Available sites

27 total sites
RV Sites 27 sites Check Availability

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
Pet Friendly · 33 ft long · Gravel
🚐 10, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 45 ft long · Gravel
🚐 11, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 34 ft long · Gravel
🚐 12, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 45 ft long · Gravel
🚐 13, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 34 ft long · Gravel
🚐 14, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 44 ft long · Gravel
🚐 15, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 40 ft long · Gravel
🚐 16, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 40 ft long · Gravel
🚐 17, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 40 ft long · Gravel
🚐 18, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 40 ft long · Gravel
🚐 19, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 34 ft long · Gravel
🚐 2, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 33 ft long · Gravel
🚐 20, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 40 ft long · Gravel
🚐 21, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 45 ft long · Gravel
🚐 22, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 45 ft long · Gravel
🚐 23, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 44 ft long · Gravel
🚐 24, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 42 ft long · Gravel
🚐 25, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 46 ft long · Gravel
🚐 26, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 34 ft long · Gravel
🚐 27, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 45 ft long · Gravel
🚐 3, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 33 ft long · Gravel
🚐 4, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 36 ft long · Gravel
🚐 5, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 40 ft long · Gravel
🚐 6, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 38 ft long · Gravel
🚐 7, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 34 ft long · Gravel
🚐 8, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 38 ft long · Gravel
🚐 9, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 38 ft long · Gravel

Reviews

863 reviews

Summary

AI generated

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.

Based on guest feedback

4.7

Overall rating

Based on 863 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 77.8% (671)
4 stars 15.9% (137)
3 stars 3.6% (31)
2 stars 2.1% (18)
1 star 0.7% (6)

Showing 863 reviews

Verified Only
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Annette W

Verified

May 11, 2021 Stayed at: 10, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

The valley by far is one of my favorite spots in the GSMNP
Lots of history here along with good fishing and hiking

Helpful

Annette W

Verified

May 11, 2021 Stayed at: 10, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

The valley by far is one of my favorite spots in the GSMNP
Lots of history here along with good fishing and hiking

Helpful

Cheryl F

Verified

May 15, 2021 Stayed at: 1, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

Absolutely loved Cataloochee!! The CG is small with very large layouts per site, lots of trails to hike, and the wildlife is plentiful.

I will definitely be back!

Helpful

Cheryl F

Verified

May 15, 2021 Stayed at: 1, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

Absolutely loved Cataloochee!! The CG is small with very large layouts per site, lots of trails to hike, and the wildlife is plentiful.

I will definitely be back!

Helpful

Chris P

Verified

May 16, 2021 Stayed at: 23, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

This is a small, remote campground, and the narrow winding access road limits the number and size of RVs. A lot of campers are in tents, and everyone honored the time restrictions on generators and just noise in general. That plus the lack of people driving through makes for a very quiet camping experience.

Helpful

susan s

Verified

May 16, 2021 Stayed at: 8, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

It was very well kept and seeing the elk roam around in the campground was great.

Helpful

Chris P

Verified

May 16, 2021 Stayed at: 23, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

This is a small, remote campground, and the narrow winding access road limits the number and size of RVs. A lot of campers are in tents, and everyone honored the time restrictions on generators and just noise in general. That plus the lack of people driving through makes for a very quiet camping experience.

Helpful

susan s

Verified

May 16, 2021 Stayed at: 8, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

It was very well kept and seeing the elk roam around in the campground was great.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Cataloochee Campground

3576 Ranger Station Rd, Waynesville, NC 37876 United States

Elevation: 801 ft

Getting There

From I-40 take Exit 20 in North Carolina. Turn right onto Cove Creek Road and follow to the Park boundary. The road goes from pavement to gravel to pavement. Upon reaching the pavement the second time, turn left. Go 2.5 mi to an intersection and c...

Nearest town

Waynesville, NC - 22 mi

About 49 min to downtown

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.

Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The closest entrance is: Cataloochee Entrance

Approximate drive: 2.1 mi · 4 min

Near Yosemite National Park

The closest entrance is: Arch Rock Entrance

Approximate drive: 32.3 mi · 55 min

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Cataloochee Horse Camp

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Cataloochee Horse Camp, located in the picturesque Cataloochee Valley, provides access to some of the best horseback riding trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Renowned for its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes, the park is ...

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Nearby destinations

Explore destination

Maggie Valley

8 mi away

City
Explore destination

Lake Junaluska

10 mi away

City
Explore destination

Waynesville

11 mi away

City

Last updated: October 24, 2026

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Explore Waynesville, NC

Population: 10,502

Nearby city: Asheville, NC

Approx. 30 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 2,749 ft

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