Can you reserve a site at Cataloochee Campground?

Yes, Cataloochee Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Cataloochee Campground?

34 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Cataloochee Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Cataloochee Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Cataloochee Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Cataloochee Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Cataloochee Campground, North Carolina — 27 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

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.

Recreation

The Cataloochee Valley features an extensive trail system that is less heavily used compared to other areas of the park. The two main trails, Caldwell Fork and nearby Rough Fork Trail, run mostly parallel to one another in the central portion of the valley. Either of these trails extend alongside scenic creeks and streams and support both hikers and horeseback riders.

For hikers only, the 3.9-mile Boogerman Trail forms a nice loop off the Caldwell Fork Trail and is less than a mile walk from the campground.

Anglers will agree that some of the best Rainbow and Brook trout fishing in the area can be found in the Cataloochee Basin, one of the most remote sections of the park. Fly fishing is particularly good during spring months when aquatic insects hatch in large numbers.

The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park. A handful of which can be found in the Cataloochee Valley, including the nearby Palmer House, built in 1869, which contains a self-guided museum.

Facilities

Cataloochee offers a traditional outdoor camping experience with the added convenience of flush toilets and drinking water. There are no hookups or showers at the campground.

Hiking trails and fishing streams are easily accessible from the site and the nearby Cataloochee Group Camp can accommodate larger parties of guests.

Additionally, the Cataloochee Horse Camp provides convenient camping for horseback riding enthusiasts.

Natural Features

Cataloochee Campground is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges and pristine mountain streams, like nearby Cataloochee Creek. Elk are common in this part of the park, during the spring and fall.

At a 2,600 foot elevation, Cataloochee provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Whether blanketed in bright spring wildflowers or exploding with vivid fall colors, the scenery at Cataloochee never disappoints.

Nearby Attractions

A number of the park's famous historical buildings, including the Steve Woody and Caldwell Houses, both built in the late 19th-century, are nearby the campground.

The Steve Woody House, built in 1880, is located along the Rough Fork trail, an easy 2-mile roundtrip hike from the parking lot at the end of Ranger Station Road.

The facts

27 bookable sites
Vehicles up to 34 ft
Up to 6 people per site
Loops: CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND

Site types

27 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed
Water hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups.

Book on Recreation.gov

27 campsites at Cataloochee Campground

Check-in 1:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Max rig	People
1	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	31 ft	6	🐾
10	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	33 ft	6	🐾
11	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	32 ft	6	🐾
12	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	34 ft	6	🐾
13	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	28 ft	6	🐾
14	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	32 ft	6	🐾
15	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	27 ft	6	🐾
16	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	32 ft	6	🐾
17	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	32 ft	6	🐾
18	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	30 ft	6	🐾
19	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	20 ft	6	🐾
2	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	25 ft	6	🐾
20	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	32 ft	6	🐾
21	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	24 ft	6	🐾
22	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	27 ft	6	🐾
23	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	28 ft	6	🐾
24	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	22 ft	6	🐾
25	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	27 ft	6	🐾
26	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	24 ft	6	🐾
27	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	25 ft	6	🐾
3	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	24 ft	6	🐾
4	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	32 ft	6	🐾
5	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	32 ft	6	🐾
6	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	32 ft	6	🐾
7	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	34 ft	6	🐾
8	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	32 ft	6	🐾
9	CATALOOCHEE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	28 ft	6	🐾

Getting there

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.

35.63119, -83.08554 · 35°37'52.3"N 83°5'7.9"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 80°F in Jul, down to 46°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	46	51	58	68	74	78	80	80	75	67	58	50
Low °F	23	26	31	38	47	54	58	57	52	38	31	27
Precip in	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Customers that check out early or do not plan to use their reservation MUST contact the campground office the day they leave or are due to check in, in order to receive a refund. Refund requests for early departure or non use of the site made AFTER the reservation has ended will be denied. Office phone numbers are given in the Facility Contact information for each campground.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Cataloochee Campground

Can you reserve a site at Cataloochee Campground?: Yes, Cataloochee Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Cataloochee Campground have?: 27 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Cataloochee Campground?: 34 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Cataloochee Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Cataloochee Campground.
Does Cataloochee Campground have hookups?: No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at Cataloochee Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Cataloochee Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Cataloochee Campground

Cataloochee Group Camp 1.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cataloochee Horse Camp 1.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Balsam Mountain Campground 6.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Round Bottom Horse Camp 7.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) 8.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Big Creek Group Camp 8.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Big Creek Horse Camp 8.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Harmon Den Campground 10.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cosby Group Camp 10.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cosby Campground 11 mi · Campground · we watch it
Balsam Mt. Campground 6.7 mi · Campground
Pigeon River 11.2 mi · Facility

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-11.

Cataloochee Campground