Cataloochee Campground

It amazes me how resources are placed in some areas but not in others. Trails are maintained, Wildlife is protected, but campgrounds are like they were is 1920. Big Dead Trees waiting to fall on campers, no showers, skimpy 1 or two hole bathrooms in a campground with 90% tenters. Get some upgrades please!

I an disappointed that the Park Service has failed to maintain the access road. The dirt section badly needs grading and gravel. The campground at Cataloochee needs an additional bathroom at the lower end and a water spigot there also. I don't understand why electric hookups can't be provided, at least to half of the sites that could be designated for travel trailers and RV's. Sewer hookup would be nice too. In general, I am disappointed that the NPS has not built any campgrounds in the Smokies over the last 50 years, while the demand has quadrupled during that time. Cataloochee needs more campsites. Either add another campground or increase the campsites in the one there. I have been going to Cataloochee for over 50 years. It is one of the most beautiful places in the U.S. Just wish NPS would spend some money on it.

I an disappointed that the Park Service has failed to maintain the access road. The dirt section badly needs grading and gravel. The campground at Cataloochee needs an additional bathroom at the lower end and a water spigot there also. I don't understand why electric hookups can't be provided, at least to half of the sites that could be designated for travel trailers and RV's. Sewer hookup would be nice too. In general, I am disappointed that the NPS has not built any campgrounds in the Smokies over the last 50 years, while the demand has quadrupled during that time. Cataloochee needs more campsites. Either add another campground or increase the campsites in the one there. I have been going to Cataloochee for over 50 years. It is one of the most beautiful places in the U.S. Just wish NPS would spend some money on it.

Most beautiful campground in the smokies! You can hear the elk bugle at night. The stream is pristine, and the location is peaceful.

Most beautiful campground in the smokies! You can hear the elk bugle at night. The stream is pristine, and the location is peaceful.

Nice camping spots, just poorly managed. First thing issue, there is no campfire wood available on site. That means an hour drive (30 there and 30 back) to the closest place that sell it. Next item on the list was a 65’-70’ tree fell in the campgrounds around a tent and a camper. I watch the whole thing in amazement. Could of easily killed someone thank goodness no one was hurt. The trail maps that were provided aren’t worth wiping with…. But again a lot of the camping spots were very nice.

Nice camping spots, just poorly managed. First thing issue, there is no campfire wood available on site. That means an hour drive (30 there and 30 back) to the closest place that sell it. Next item on the list was a 65’-70’ tree fell in the campgrounds around a tent and a camper. I watch the whole thing in amazement. Could of easily killed someone thank goodness no one was hurt. The trail maps that were provided aren’t worth wiping with…. But again a lot of the camping spots were very nice.

I am so glad that we chose to stay at Cataloochee Campground while we were visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cataloochee is a bit off the beaten trail, something we absolutely loved. It is relatively private, quiet, and well-maintained. The road to get into Cataloochee was its own scenic adventure, as it winds in and out of the bluffs and down into the Cataloochee Valley. We really enjoyed driving further along the road past the campground to explore the trailheads there, as well as some of the historical buildings scattered throughout the valley. There are also large open meadows where we were able to quietly observe herds of elk grazing and even a small black bear digging for ants. Although the road to Cataloochee Campground is a dead-end and doesn't connect to other areas of the park, we didn't find this to be a nuisance -- getting to either the Oconoluftee Visitor Center (via Hwy-276 and the Blue Ridge Parkway) or the Sugarlands Visitor Center (via I-40 and Hwy-321) took only 50min to 1hr 15min, respectively. I would definitely recommend Cataloochee Campground and look forward to coming back!

I am so glad that we chose to stay at Cataloochee Campground while we were visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cataloochee is a bit off the beaten trail, something we absolutely loved. It is relatively private, quiet, and well-maintained. The road to get into Cataloochee was its own scenic adventure, as it winds in and out of the bluffs and down into the Cataloochee Valley. We really enjoyed driving further along the road past the campground to explore the trailheads there, as well as some of the historical buildings scattered throughout the valley. There are also large open meadows where we were able to quietly observe herds of elk grazing and even a small black bear digging for ants. Although the road to Cataloochee Campground is a dead-end and doesn't connect to other areas of the park, we didn't find this to be a nuisance -- getting to either the Oconoluftee Visitor Center (via Hwy-276 and the Blue Ridge Parkway) or the Sugarlands Visitor Center (via I-40 and Hwy-321) took only 50min to 1hr 15min, respectively. I would definitely recommend Cataloochee Campground and look forward to coming back!

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