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
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

stacy h

Verified

October 8, 2021 Stayed at: 24, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

We stayed 5 nights at the Cataloochee campground in the Great Smoky Mountains in September 2021. We had a great trip. The campground is very well maintained. The bathrooms were cleaned regularly. They had potible water. The sites were clean and well maintained. The rangers were very helpful and VERY friendly. There was an unruly camper there. The camp host had to have a talk with them. She was very respectful to them. They acted ugly, but the camp host maintained her composure and handled the situation very professionally. We will be back. Cataloochee is a beautiful place. We got to see a bunch of elk!!!

stacy h

Verified

October 8, 2021 Stayed at: 24, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

We stayed 5 nights at the Cataloochee campground in the Great Smoky Mountains in September 2021. We had a great trip. The campground is very well maintained. The bathrooms were cleaned regularly. They had potible water. The sites were clean and well maintained. The rangers were very helpful and VERY friendly. There was an unruly camper there. The camp host had to have a talk with them. She was very respectful to them. They acted ugly, but the camp host maintained her composure and handled the situation very professionally. We will be back. Cataloochee is a beautiful place. We got to see a bunch of elk!!!

Russell W

Verified

October 6, 2021 Stayed at: 15, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Everything was nice. No problems.

Russell W

Verified

October 6, 2021 Stayed at: 15, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Everything was nice. No problems.

Rance S

Verified

October 3, 2021 Stayed at: 17, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Amazing as always! Seeing a bull elk strolling through camp was pretty neat too.

Rance S

Verified

October 3, 2021 Stayed at: 17, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Amazing as always! Seeing a bull elk strolling through camp was pretty neat too.

William Q

Verified

September 30, 2021 Stayed at: 18, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

3

Happened to be there the week it rained. That always diminishes the camping experience. However, there are several things that could greatly improve camping at Cataloochee. First, improve the road- take out some of the curves and widen the dirt part. N.C. needs to do their part on the access road up to the Park entrance. When the campground is full, the restroom facility gets very busy. It would help to have another one at the other end of the campground. Providing electric hookups would be a great plus, even if it was for only designated campsites. Would be worth $5.00 more per night. It would be great if there was another campground in Cataloochee, or expand the present one to handle demand. The dirt road from the school house to the end of valley needs to be widened.

William Q

Verified

September 30, 2021 Stayed at: 18, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

3

Happened to be there the week it rained. That always diminishes the camping experience. However, there are several things that could greatly improve camping at Cataloochee. First, improve the road- take out some of the curves and widen the dirt part. N.C. needs to do their part on the access road up to the Park entrance. When the campground is full, the restroom facility gets very busy. It would help to have another one at the other end of the campground. Providing electric hookups would be a great plus, even if it was for only designated campsites. Would be worth $5.00 more per night. It would be great if there was another campground in Cataloochee, or expand the present one to handle demand. The dirt road from the school house to the end of valley needs to be widened.

Dennis B

Verified

September 24, 2021 Stayed at: 5, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Best place to see Elk

Dennis B

Verified

September 24, 2021 Stayed at: 5, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

5

Best place to see Elk

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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