About Cataloochee Campground
Number of accommodations: 27
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Restrooms
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Restrooms
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Rates, Sites & Availability
27 Sites Available
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Site Details
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27 Sites Available
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Reviews (773)
What Guests Are Saying
Cataloochee Campground is a charming and peaceful spot, well-regarded for its clean facilities and friendly hosts. Many visitors appreciate the abundant wildlife, including elk and bears, and the serene, forested environment. While access can be tricky due to remote roads and no hookups, the spacious sites and beautiful scenery make it a favorite for campers seeking a simple, nature-focused experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Cataloochee Campground is a charming and peaceful spot, well-regarded for its clean facilities and friendly hosts. Many visitors appreciate the abundant wildlife, including elk and bears, and the serene, forested environment. While access can be tricky due to remote roads and no hookups, the spacious sites and beautiful scenery make it a favorite for campers seeking a simple, nature-focused experience.
Review Summary
Malcom B
VerifiedApril 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
i am a local i have camped there over 50 years
robert s
VerifiedApril 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
gREAT!
Jimmy B
VerifiedApril 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Campground host checked us in immediately. Site 12 was very spacious compared to others we saw. We pulled a 28 ft travel trailer there well after checkout time to avoid meeting other trailers leaving and left early on our checkout day for the same reason. No problems whatsoever. This was our 4th or 5th time camping there over the years.
Malcom B
VerifiedApril 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
i am a local i have camped there over 50 years
robert s
VerifiedApril 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
gREAT!
Donald S
VerifiedApril 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Campsite are well spread out. Helpful host. Elk wandering through ever late afternoon.
Donald S
VerifiedApril 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Campsite are well spread out. Helpful host. Elk wandering through ever late afternoon.
June A
VerifiedApril 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
I drove into the valley early in the morning to see a light mist over the meadow and a lone elk grazing with the sun coming over the mountain. It was amazing and like something out of National Geographic. The buildings are well kept and hold a lot of history of the people that once settled here. The trails are peaceful and there are some stream crossings without foot bridges but nothing that wasn't manageable because it had not rained in a bit. Chattahoochee is very underrated. There is beauty everywhere here.
Rachel R
VerifiedApril 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 21, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
A beautiful and quiet campground! Our first time in the Smokies. It's fun to be in a remote part of the park, and there are some great hikes around there (we especially enjoyed Boogerman - bring water shoes!). The stream passing right next to the campsite provided a wonderful lullaby through the days and nights. We had a few elk pass through the campsite one evening just to nose around, which was magical. Ginger, the site host, was an absolutely incredibly kind and knowledgeable host who offered us extra help when we needed a cell signal to address some car problems. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting her and our stay at Cataloochee.
Jeffrey F
VerifiedApril 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Probably the best camping spot we’ve ever had! Right on the river, very spread apart, no noisy folks at all.
We went for a short drive and kind the elk herd at sundown. Very cool. The next morning, we had a young bull in our campsite! It hung around for two hours without a care in the world. Very cool!
Ginger, the camp host was great and personable. Excellent experience, if you don’t mind the 10 miles of mountain road leading to camp.
Location Cataloochee Campground
Address:
3576 Ranger Station Rd
Waynesville, NC, 37876
United States
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 miles to an intersection and continue another .5 miles 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.
Latitude & Longitude: 35.6312 / -83.0855
Elevation: 801 feet
Nearby National Park
Arch Rock Entrance
Approximate driving time: 55 min
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
