## 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.

Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

So much to see. It’s easy to spend a couple of days exploring the historical sites, walking trails, watching the elk herd (especially during the fall rut period) and admiring the natural beauty of the Great Smokey Mountains with less than the usual crowds. This is because access to the campground requires a challenging drive down a one lane dirt road. Believe me, you don’t want to try this in wet conditions.

But the trip is well worth the challenge. The campsite is a loop in the pines along a creek. It’s a 15 minute walk to the pastures where you can see the elk herd in the early morning or at dusk. Get up before dawn to watch the sun rise over the mountain and streak across the meadow.

Nature and History; hiking, fishing, birding, photography,horse trails,elk 

I have stayed at this campground before, and it was as peaceful as I remembered before. The sites are level and shaded. The river is close, and it makes for a restful night. When I was there this time, it was not as crowded. However, that didn’t really matter since there is a little more privacy between the campsites than a lot of large privately owned campgrounds and RV parks. As far as facilities, there are no sewer, electrical, or water hookups. However, water is available. The bath house has not changed since I was there before. There are still no showers. The main reason people come to this campground is to see the elk or the historic structures. The valley is a peaceful place, and there are a lot of day dwellers in the valley. There are also lots of trails and great places to fish along the creek. During peak season, you will not be able to get a site unless you book ahead of time since it is a popular destination. To get to this campground, you have to drive over ten miles on narrow, curvy roads with steep drop-offs, which is partly paved and partly gravel. Overall, I recommend it highly. It’s pretty obvious since I keep going back.

One of my Favorite Campgrounds

Campground is a short drive from the valley where elk herds graze mornings and evenings. 

Great area of the Smoky Mountains if you want to get away from the crowds. It is a challenging drive on a narrow gravel road full of switchbacks to get to the campground. I wouldn’t want to drive an RV or pull a camper. 

Spacious sites in small campground 

Was a great start at site 5. Very deep site that allowed for plenty of room for kids to play. Stream behind the site was nice to listen to but wasn’t loud. Campgrounds had a few RVs but they weren’t loud thankfully. Bathrooms were clean and included a site for dish washing. Worker on site was friendly and helpful. 

Great camping w aves to Smokies

Cataloochee is hit or miss. This year’s trip was awesome. Last year, we were run out of our site by pushy elk that had been emboldened by the Memorial Weekend campers of the previous weekend. It’s a crap shoot, but you can improve your chances of a nice experience by booking midweek and not within a few weeks following the holiday weekend. 

  

The drive up to the campground is super fun with its twisty, turny, dirt roads and pretty views that peek through the leaves. I can be a bit rutted and washboarded at times, but this year it was in decent shape. 

  

Sites are level, spacious, and easy to drive onto. Tent pads are well-maintained. Water is available throughout the grounds, as are trash bins and grey water dumps for dish water.

  

Bathrooms (women’s) were pretty nasty this time, and I don’t expect much. Smelled of urine. Floors were wet even though it was neither humid nor raining. Not pleasant. 

  

Fellow campers were chill and respectful.

  

The river that flows near several of the sites is a highlight. It’s beautiful, frigid, and crystal clear. Takes a bit of a scramble to get down to the shore, in some places, but it’s worth it.

  

Plenty of great little trails within a stones throw. Lots of mildly technical things that ambitious young (mine are 9 and 11) hikers will enjoy. Creek crossings and little scrambles and whatnot.