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?

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

Paul H

Verified

September 2, 2022 Stayed at: 14, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

4

I absolutely love this place! I love the seclusion and the people in the campground were so friendly

Paul H

Verified

September 2, 2022 Stayed at: 14, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

4

I absolutely love this place! I love the seclusion and the people in the campground were so friendly

Santiago L

Verified

September 9, 2022 Stayed at: 6, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

4

We had a great time seeing elk and bears. The campground was good, bathroom clean. Only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was the location of the sites. All the sites in the perimeter had decent spacing but the ones on the interior were right on top of each other. Luckily for us we were there mid week so there were few campers there. We were leaving Friday morning, on Thursday night folks started coming in and by the time we awoke to leave the interior looked like an occupy camp. They need to thin out some of the site.

Santiago L

Verified

September 9, 2022 Stayed at: 6, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

4

We had a great time seeing elk and bears. The campground was good, bathroom clean. Only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was the location of the sites. All the sites in the perimeter had decent spacing but the ones on the interior were right on top of each other. Luckily for us we were there mid week so there were few campers there. We were leaving Friday morning, on Thursday night folks started coming in and by the time we awoke to leave the interior looked like an occupy camp. They need to thin out some of the site.

Rance S

Verified

September 17, 2022 Stayed at: 11, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Excellent!! Until next time Birdman…..

Rance S

Verified

September 17, 2022 Stayed at: 13, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Excellent!! Until next time Mr. Price…..

Rance S

Verified

September 17, 2022 Stayed at: 11, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Excellent!! Until next time Birdman…..

Rance S

Verified

September 17, 2022 Stayed at: 13, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Excellent!! Until next time Mr. Price…..

Jeff L

Verified

September 22, 2022 Stayed at: 13, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

4

Cataloochee was smallest campground we stayed at this summer. The park staff were wonderful. No ATT cell (a win). The sole bathroom facility was usually dimly lit with wet to dirty floors. I guess it's fortunate they didn't have showers. If you're prepared for primitive camping this will be a great place to stay. Yes, I would return in a heartbeat.

Jeff L

Verified

September 22, 2022 Stayed at: 13, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

4

Cataloochee was smallest campground we stayed at this summer. The park staff were wonderful. No ATT cell (a win). The sole bathroom facility was usually dimly lit with wet to dirty floors. I guess it's fortunate they didn't have showers. If you're prepared for primitive camping this will be a great place to stay. Yes, I would return in a heartbeat.

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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