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863 reviews
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.
Based on guest feedback
4.7
Based on 863 reviews
Showing 863 reviews
June 1, 2026 Stayed at: 2, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Exceptional campground. Site 2 is across from the creek and provides for a lovely backdrop for time in the forest. Bring your bikes and ride through the fields for a marvelous escape in the Smokies.
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May 31, 2026 Stayed at: 7, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Clean, quiet (for a holiday weekend) campground. Lots of trails nearby, wildlife, old buildings, and small stream fishing. This campsites are a little on the close side compared with other campgrounds, especially for sites inside the loop. Has running water and lighting at the restrooms. Enjoyed the stay
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May 29, 2026 Stayed at: 23, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
we stayed there for one night, the experience was good. we went there to see the fireflies, and we saw many of them. that is an unique experience.
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May 29, 2026 Stayed at: 21, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Beautiful campground in very remote area
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May 28, 2026 Stayed at: 3, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
The camping is very good. Great Camp Hosts, bathrooms are very clean. The problem is the Elk kept trying to come into our campsite over and over at night. Our neighbors had their tent knocked down by the Elk. I used my flashlight and German Shepherd to move them back, until they came again, and again, all night.
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May 27, 2026 Stayed at: 23, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Very good , hurricane damaged areas not repaired but overall good
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May 27, 2026 Stayed at: 3, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
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.
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May 26, 2026 Stayed at: 25, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
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.
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May 25, 2026 Stayed at: 10, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Great campground. Great Camp Host. Great time.
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May 25, 2026 Stayed at: 7, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Campground host was polite and very informative, bathrooms were spotless and our site was perfect!
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3576 Ranger Station Rd, Waynesville, NC 37876 United States
Elevation: 801 ft
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 mi to an intersection and c...
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 mi to an intersection and continue another .5 mi 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.
The closest entrance is: Cataloochee Entrance
Approximate drive: 2.1 mi · 4 min
The closest entrance is: Arch Rock Entrance
Approximate drive: 32.3 mi · 55 min
Last updated: October 24, 2026
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Population: 10,502
Nearby city: Asheville, NC
Approx. 30 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 2,749 ft
Waynesville, NC
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