Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates27 total sites
RV Sites
27 sites
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
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27 Sites Available
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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.
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
Fred E
VerifiedOctober 31, 2025 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
I have camped at Cataloochee for over 50 years, since the mid 70's. It is always a blessing to return. Many great memories there, some with folks who are no longer living. When I first came, the campground was simple and without modern conveniences. Now, there is a bathroom, a wash station, and usually a camp host. The valley itself is largely unchanged over the past 50 years but for the recent hurricane damage and the introduction of the Elk. The Elk, primarily, have led to an influx of visitors. If you go Cataloochee, for a day visit or to camp, please take care of this place. Treat it with the respect due those who gave up their homes, farms, churches, cemetaries, pieces of their lives, that we may have this place as the National Treasure that it is. And let's appreciate the work of the GSMNP Staff who work diligently to care for it every day.
Mark C
VerifiedOctober 31, 2025 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Wonderful place
Simple
Quite
Freindly
Fred E
VerifiedOctober 31, 2025 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
I have camped at Cataloochee for over 50 years, since the mid 70's. It is always a blessing to return. Many great memories there, some with folks who are no longer living. When I first came, the campground was simple and without modern conveniences. Now, there is a bathroom, a wash station, and usually a camp host. The valley itself is largely unchanged over the past 50 years but for the recent hurricane damage and the introduction of the Elk. The Elk, primarily, have led to an influx of visitors. If you go Cataloochee, for a day visit or to camp, please take care of this place. Treat it with the respect due those who gave up their homes, farms, churches, cemetaries, pieces of their lives, that we may have this place as the National Treasure that it is. And let's appreciate the work of the GSMNP Staff who work diligently to care for it every day.
Mark C
VerifiedOctober 31, 2025 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Wonderful place
Simple
Quite
Freindly
Carolynn P
VerifiedNovember 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 21, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Such a lovely and peaceful place to camp. Clean. Peaceful.
Carolynn P
VerifiedNovember 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 21, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
Such a lovely and peaceful place to camp. Clean. Peaceful.
Deborah B
VerifiedNovember 11, 2025 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
The windy road was tricky getting to the campground. It’s very remote. I had a 22 foot travel trailer. Once I got there, the site was large and very acceptable. Viewing the Elks was a great extra.
Deborah B
VerifiedNovember 11, 2025 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
The windy road was tricky getting to the campground. It’s very remote. I had a 22 foot travel trailer. Once I got there, the site was large and very acceptable. Viewing the Elks was a great extra.
Charles B
VerifiedDecember 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
We had been into Cataloochee several times and had wanted to camp there for a long time. We just enjoyed the quiet and watching the elk wander through the campground. For those thinking they can’t access the area, we have been in twice now with a travel trailer. This trip we took our 26’ travel trailer (bumper pull to some) in with ease. At one corner a fella coming out had to back up a bit for me, which he did without hesitation, and another skinny spot I had to get out and spot a fella who was uncomfortable on the road in his car.🙄 Otherwise it was very easy to get in and out. We stayed in spot 10 because it has a nice path to the creek and is somewhat more isolated than some. The campground is an easy walk or bike ride into the fields where the wildlife is usually visible. You can also drive back to the community homes that are still there and take walks/hikes from parking areas. We love the no-frills part of camping here. Give it a try.
Charles B
VerifiedDecember 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND
We had been into Cataloochee several times and had wanted to camp there for a long time. We just enjoyed the quiet and watching the elk wander through the campground. For those thinking they can’t access the area, we have been in twice now with a travel trailer. This trip we took our 26’ travel trailer (bumper pull to some) in with ease. At one corner a fella coming out had to back up a bit for me, which he did without hesitation, and another skinny spot I had to get out and spot a fella who was uncomfortable on the road in his car.🙄 Otherwise it was very easy to get in and out. We stayed in spot 10 because it has a nice path to the creek and is somewhat more isolated than some. The campground is an easy walk or bike ride into the fields where the wildlife is usually visible. You can also drive back to the community homes that are still there and take walks/hikes from parking areas. We love the no-frills part of camping here. Give it a try.
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.
Elevation: 801 feet
Nearby National Park
Arch Rock Entrance
Approximate driving time: 55 min
22 mi drive to downtown Waynesville (about 49 min)
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: September 10, 2026
