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

Kathy L

Verified

May 27, 2026 Stayed at: 3, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Magical experience here! From dusk and dawn viewing of elk in the field, to the gorgeous and quiet campground, everything was so enjoyable. We loved the sound of the stream while we were at our campsite.

Robert G

Verified

May 27, 2026 Stayed at: 23, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

4

Very good , hurricane damaged areas not repaired but overall good

Darla L

Verified

May 26, 2026 Stayed at: 25, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Be prepared for the bumpy dirt road! Take it slow and watch carefully for oncoming cars. I don’t recommend this campground for a one night stay like we did simply because it is not the easiest place to get to. With that said, this was our favorite campground on our vacation. The NPS ranger was fabulous, and the park is near a beautiful mountain stream, and a reconstructed historical community that we walked to in the early AM when we also were able to see some of the elk, and a number of turkeys, including a couple of strutting toms. It is experiences like we had that makes our National Parks/Campgrounds a treasure we must protect.

Beverly N

Verified

May 25, 2026 Stayed at: 7, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Campground host was polite and very informative, bathrooms were spotless and our site was perfect!

Henry R

Verified

May 25, 2026 Stayed at: 10, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Great campground. Great Camp Host. Great time.

ray m

Verified

May 19, 2026 Stayed at: 19, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

4

staff were super, nice facilities were really clean

Kevin S

Verified

May 18, 2026 Stayed at: 11, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Nice small national Park campground with lots of trees and a pleasant creek running through it.

James K

Verified

May 15, 2026 Stayed at: 27, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Nice and quiet.

Charles B

Verified

December 23, 2025 Stayed at: 10, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

We had been into Cataloochee several times and had wanted to camp there for a long time. We just enjoyed the quiet and watching the elk wander through the campground. For those thinking they can’t access the area, we have been in twice now with a travel trailer. This trip we took our 26’ travel trailer (bumper pull to some) in with ease. At one corner a fella coming out had to back up a bit for me, which he did without hesitation, and another skinny spot I had to get out and spot a fella who was uncomfortable on the road in his car.🙄 Otherwise it was very easy to get in and out. We stayed in spot 10 because it has a nice path to the creek and is somewhat more isolated than some. The campground is an easy walk or bike ride into the fields where the wildlife is usually visible. You can also drive back to the community homes that are still there and take walks/hikes from parking areas. We love the no-frills part of camping here. Give it a try.

Charles B

Verified

December 23, 2025 Stayed at: 10, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

We had been into Cataloochee several times and had wanted to camp there for a long time. We just enjoyed the quiet and watching the elk wander through the campground. For those thinking they can’t access the area, we have been in twice now with a travel trailer. This trip we took our 26’ travel trailer (bumper pull to some) in with ease. At one corner a fella coming out had to back up a bit for me, which he did without hesitation, and another skinny spot I had to get out and spot a fella who was uncomfortable on the road in his car.🙄 Otherwise it was very easy to get in and out. We stayed in spot 10 because it has a nice path to the creek and is somewhat more isolated than some. The campground is an easy walk or bike ride into the fields where the wildlife is usually visible. You can also drive back to the community homes that are still there and take walks/hikes from parking areas. We love the no-frills part of camping here. Give it a try.

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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