Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2019

Peaceful but bland

  • We stayed at site #26 in tents. It was small but all the trees were great since we had to put up tarps for the rain. We were able to set up 2 -4 person tents and 1 large 10 person tent as well as a screened canopy over the picnic table. Plus you can hear the river from our site so that was pretty pleasant =)
  • I walked the campground and my personal favorite site was #7. The fire pit and picnic bench are in the front and the tent area is further back near the river. Very large space.
  • The drive up goes from road, to dirt, to road. Yes it is very narrow (especially since I drive a Suburban), but just drive slow and be careful on turns and you'll be fine. Any turn I couldn't see around, I honked as a heads up to oncoming traffic (which is a total of like 6 cars). 
  • Make sure to get firewood/supplies prior to driving up the mountain. It's about a 30 minute drive up and there is no firewood/ice/or any supplies anywhere on the mountain.
  • The woman's bathroom had 2 stalls. One large and one small. No soap dispenser, but someone left a hand soap pump which was pretty nice of them. Electric hand dryer. No showers. Sink for your dishes is attached to the restrooms. It got pretty dirty and muddy, but in the morning it was cleaned up.
  • We didn't see any wildlife besides 1 squirrel. But there is some massive spiders (look like red daddy long legs) and had a few bees. Lightning bugs were hardly there, but the mosquitoes were hardly there too.
  • We walked the closest trail, very muddy. The creek/river was super pretty but it was super cold. Not much scenery on the trail besides the fun wood bridge at the beginning. We ended up driving an hour to the big creek section of the Smokies. We went on the Big Creek Trail which led to Midnight Hole (which is a beautiful swimming hole). Its at another campground that also has white water rafting.
  • There is an old church next to the campground that is open and very lovely. 
  • There's also a look over stop. Its 100% worth stopping at.
  • Overall, we enjoyed that everyone at the campground pretty much went to bed around 11pm. The campground seems like its taken care of. Personally I'd rather stay at a campground with a little more adventure (and maybe showers). The campground is very small so it'll only take up to 5 minutes to walk the whole place.
Site#26
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Heather W., July 11, 2019
  • Review photo of Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Heather W., July 11, 2019
  • Review photo of Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Heather W., July 11, 2019
  • Review photo of Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Heather W., July 11, 2019
  • Review photo of Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Heather W., July 11, 2019
  • Review photo of Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Heather W., July 11, 2019
  • Review photo of Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Heather W., July 11, 2019
  • Review photo of Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Heather W., July 11, 2019
  • Review photo of Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Heather W., July 11, 2019