Camper submitted image from Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 1
View All
Camper submitted image from Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 2
Official
Camper submitted image from Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 3
Roads
Camper submitted image from Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 4
Buildings

Established Camping

Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cataloochee Group Campground is located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, featuring forested terrain and mountain views. Weather in the area typically ranges from highs in the 80s Fahrenheit during summer to lows in the 20s during winter. Nearby attractions include the historic Cataloochee Valley, known for its wildlife viewing opportunities and historic buildings.

Description

National Park Service

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Overview

Cataloochee Group Camp in the remote and historic Cataloochee Valley, is surrounded by some of the most rugged mountains in the park, providing excellent hiking opportunities as well as ideal fishing conditions in the area's many creeks. Because of its relatively secluded location, visitors can enjoy the best that the Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer, without encountering crowds, which are sometimes common in other areas of the park.

Recreation

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with a number of trails easily accessible from the Cataloochee Valley. Most notably, the Boogerman Trail, an almost 6-mile loop overlapping with the Caldwell Fork Trail, allows hikers to take in groves of old-growth forest. High-quality backcountry fishing in the cool, remote waters of the countless streams that snake through the valley, provide anglers with choice opportunities to catch wild trout. 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 nearby the campground, including the Palmer House, which offers a self-guided museum.

Natural Features

Cataloochee Group Camp is in an area characterized by picturesque mountain ranges and pristine streams, like the nearby Cataloochee Creek and its many tributaries. Whether blanketed in bright spring wildflowers or vivid fall colors, the scenery at Cataloochee never disappoints. The Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy. In particular, the Cataloochee area is known for the elk herd, which populates the valley in the spring and fall.

Nearby Attractions

A number of the park's famous historical buildings, including cabins and churches, are located close to the campground. The town of Asheville, NC is approximately 35 miles from the campground and offers plenty of cultural and historic activities as well as restaurants and groceries.

Charges & Cancellations

Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.

Fee Info

Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use 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.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in North Carolina

Detail location of campground

Directions

Exit I-40 at exit 20, 25 miles west of Asheville, NC (87 miles east of Knoxville, TN). Turn right onto Cove Creek road 1/10 mile from I-40. Follow Cove Creek Road 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 and turn right onto a dirt road after crossing a bridge. Go 1 mile to group camp gate..

Address

3576 Ranger Station Road
Waynesville, NC 37876

Coordinates

35.6513889 N
83.0744444 W

Open in Google Maps

Is Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park sold out?

Quickly grab cancellations!

Learn More

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

100%
0%
0%
0%
0%

5.0

out of 5

1 Review

Reviewed Mar. 19, 2024

Off the Grid

This is a great campground if you like to disconnect. To road in is a narrow gravel road so be prepared if you're not used to that. If you are used to that you'll love the ride. If you come in from the north around Big Creek and down the old Chattahoochee highway you're in for a real treat. Once you get to the campground turn off your phone it won't work there!!! That's great when you're camping!!!

  • Review photo of Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Jim M., March 19, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are fires allowed at Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not have wifi.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

    There are 3 campsites at Cataloochee Group Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts