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863 reviews
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
Based on 863 reviews
Showing 863 reviews
January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 5, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
This was our third time to visit Cataloochee and all have been during the Elk rut. Beautiful setting, great hiking trails, nice clean campground, and lots of wildlife. What's not to like. Watching the Elk during the rut is fasinating and quite entertaining.
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January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 15, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
We have stayed in the campground several times. There are several hiking trails and great fishing. Also great viewing of the elk population. The only drawback is the rough road getting into the area. However this keeps some of the crowds away.
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January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 5, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
It's truely a awesome, one of a kind place to visit. The 10 or so mile ride getting back to it is a little scary with a lot of sharp turns on a narrow gravel road so drive like you expect a to meet a camper coming around the next bend as you just might. After getting there for me there was nothing not to like. I tent camped but there were other types of campers there as well. Everyone there was friendly and the host lady was very knowledgable and went out of her way to be helpful. I went there to see the Elk and saw lots of them and there were a lot of Wild Turkeys to see as well which suprised me. In the evening and early morning there are lots of Elk to see as they come into the wide open pastures and do their thing even with many onlookers. I went in the fall and the the bulls were frequently bugling. I took lots of pictures of them. There was always several rangers and volunteers around when the Elk were in the fields who were available to answer questions and to protect the public as some visiters seem to think the elk are completly tame but they are not so is best to keep a little distance between yourself and the elk or keep on the opposite side of a vehicle when filming them. Be especially cautious filming bears too as they can cover ground extreamly fast. I didn't see any bear while there but they are certainly in the area. There was a Creek that runs past the campground and if you like the sound of a babbling brook there are several sites close to the creek. If you like to hike there are numerous trails to explore and I believe at least one of them connects to the Appalachian Trail. I would love to go back there again and take some kids as I belive they would love it.
I do plan to go back for sure. Also I should mention Maggie Valley is nearby and worth exploring in your vehicle for it's food, crafts and entertainment.
Helpful
January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 16, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Very accommodating staff and excellent facility... Hope to be back soon.
Helpful
January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 5, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
This was our third time to visit Cataloochee and all have been during the Elk rut. Beautiful setting, great hiking trails, nice clean campground, and lots of wildlife. What's not to like. Watching the Elk during the rut is fasinating and quite entertaining.
Helpful
January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 15, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
We have stayed in the campground several times. There are several hiking trails and great fishing. Also great viewing of the elk population. The only drawback is the rough road getting into the area. However this keeps some of the crowds away.
Helpful
January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 5, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
It's truely a awesome, one of a kind place to visit. The 10 or so mile ride getting back to it is a little scary with a lot of sharp turns on a narrow gravel road so drive like you expect a to meet a camper coming around the next bend as you just might. After getting there for me there was nothing not to like. I tent camped but there were other types of campers there as well. Everyone there was friendly and the host lady was very knowledgable and went out of her way to be helpful. I went there to see the Elk and saw lots of them and there were a lot of Wild Turkeys to see as well which suprised me. In the evening and early morning there are lots of Elk to see as they come into the wide open pastures and do their thing even with many onlookers. I went in the fall and the the bulls were frequently bugling. I took lots of pictures of them. There was always several rangers and volunteers around when the Elk were in the fields who were available to answer questions and to protect the public as some visiters seem to think the elk are completly tame but they are not so is best to keep a little distance between yourself and the elk or keep on the opposite side of a vehicle when filming them. Be especially cautious filming bears too as they can cover ground extreamly fast. I didn't see any bear while there but they are certainly in the area. There was a Creek that runs past the campground and if you like the sound of a babbling brook there are several sites close to the creek. If you like to hike there are numerous trails to explore and I believe at least one of them connects to the Appalachian Trail. I would love to go back there again and take some kids as I belive they would love it.
I do plan to go back for sure. Also I should mention Maggie Valley is nearby and worth exploring in your vehicle for it's food, crafts and entertainment.
Helpful
January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 16, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Very accommodating staff and excellent facility... Hope to be back soon.
Helpful
January 17, 2020 Stayed at: 19, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Cataloochee valley is one of those magical places inside the Great Smokies National Park. It's an incredible experience, combining a school house, a church, multiple homesteads and Elk sightings. Be prepared for a step back in time.
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January 17, 2020 Stayed at: 3, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
A wonderful hidden camp ground in the heart of the smokies with tons of wildlife viewing and hiking trails don’t expect cell service or a nice paved road in and out which is what makes this place so nice
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3576 Ranger Station Rd, Waynesville, NC 37876 United States
Elevation: 801 ft
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...
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 continue another .5 mi to the left.
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.
The closest entrance is: Cataloochee Entrance
Approximate drive: 2.1 mi · 4 min
The closest entrance is: Arch Rock Entrance
Approximate drive: 32.3 mi · 55 min
Last updated: October 24, 2026
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Population: 10,502
Nearby city: Asheville, NC
Approx. 30 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 2,749 ft
Waynesville, NC
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