Great Smoky Mountains National Park

#39 Pretty Hollow

## Overview

Located in the scenic Cataloochee Valley, tucked in a cool and shady canopy, this campground offers the best that the Great Smoky Mountains National park has to offer, including some of the most coveted horseback riding trails in the park.   
  
  
  
World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the preservation of Southern Appalachian culture, the Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park. 

**You MUST have a HORSE to camp at Cataloochee Horse Camp!**

## Recreation

With access to some of the most popular trails in the area, including the Rough Fork and Caldwell Fork Trails, this site is a favorite for horseback riding enthusiasts.   
  
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also a hiker's paradise. Boogerman Trail, accessed via the Caldwell Fork Trail, provides a 3.9 mile detour through a beautiful, densely forested terrain, allowing visitors to stretch their legs and explore the area.   
  
Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with wild trout available in abundance.   
  
Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for a visitor to spot one. The Cataloochee area is also known for an elk herd that populates the valley, making for an impressive display of wildlife.   
  
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 these buildings are nearby the campground, including the Palmer House, which offers a self-guided museum.

## Facilities

Cataloochee offers primitive-woods camping. A canopy of trees provides adequate shade, while a few open areas let in the sunlight and allow for pleasant group activities. There is no potable water provided at the campground, so visitors must bring their own.  
  
  
The nearby Cataloochee Campground offers additional camping space for those visitors without horses, and the Cataloochee Group Camp provides a larger space for group trips.   
  
  
  
Each site at Cataloochee has four horse stalls with hitching racks. 

You MUST have a HORSE to camp at Cataloochee Horse Camp!

## Natural Features

Cataloochee Horse Camp sits in along the gentle waters of Cataloochee Creek in the remote Catalooche Valley, surrounded by some of the park's most picturesque and rugged mountain ranges. Whether blanketed in wildflowers in the spring or vivid colors in the fall, the scenery at Cataloochee never disappoints. 

## Nearby Attractions

A number of Great Smoky's famous historical buildings, including cabins and churches, are located close to the campground. The nearby towns of Maggie Valley or Waynesville offer groceries and other supplies.

Cataloochee Horse Camp - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

## 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

Back country site - please see website for permit information

Site 40 -- 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.

## Facilities

Cataloochee Group Camp provides a primitive outdoor camping experience with few amenities, but excellent access to trails and fishing streams. The sites are shaded by the lush surrounding forest, but there are no hookups or drinking water available.   
  
The three group sites can accommodate up to 25 guests. For groups larger than 25 people, all three sites may be reserved at once.

## 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.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cataloochee Group Campground

## Overview

Saddle up your horses for a camping trip in the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located in the North Carolina portion of the park, this campsite offers miles of horse trails with a breathtaking backdrop. Whether blanketed in bright spring wildflowers or vivid fall colors, the scenery at Round Bottom never disappoints.   
  
  
  
World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian culture, Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park. 

**You MUST have a HORSE to camp at Round Bottom Horse Camp!**

## Recreation

With access to several of the Smokies' popular horseback riding trails, equestrians will never be bored.   
  
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, offering over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from the picnic area. But hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are also popular activities.   
  
Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.   
  
Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.   
  
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.

## Facilities

Round Bottom offers a traditional outdoor camping experience 

**You MUST have a HORSE to camp at Round Bottom Horse Camp!**

## Natural Features

Round Bottom Horse Camp is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges, pristine mountain streams and rivers and clear blue skies that set the backdrop for your camping and horseback riding adventure.   
  
At 3,060 feet elevation, the campground provides a moderate climate, typified by mild winters and hot, humid summers.   
  
Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural tapestry of Southern Appalachian history. The mountains have had a long human history spanning thousands of years, from the prehistoric Paleo Indians to early European settlement in the 1800s to loggers and Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees in the 20th century. The park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes, and artifacts that tell the stories of people who once called these mountains home. 

## Nearby Attractions

Cherokee, North Carolina, located about 13 miles away, offers fuel and grocery stores.

Round Bottom Horse Camp

## Overview

Balsam Mountain Campground is located in a relatively remote part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The secluded setting offers visitors the ability to enjoy a multitude of recreational activities without the crowds which are sometimes common in other parts of the park.

## Recreation

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks. The Balsam Mountain area features several trails that are less heavily used compared to other areas of the park.   
  
The campground offers a short nature trail located beside site 43. The hiker only Flat Creek Trail is a pleasant walk through a hardwood forest. For the adventurous hiker the Hemphill Bald and Rough Fork trails provide a 14-mile loop hike, with outstanding views and old growth trees.   
  
Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains. Anglers will agree that some of the best trout fishing in the area can be found along the Balsam Mountain and Straight Fork Roads, some of the most remote sections of the park. Fly fishing is particularly good during spring months when aquatic insects hatch in large numbers.   
  
Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 bears living in the park, it is not uncommon for visitors to spot one. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.   
  
The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures have been preserved in the park.   
  
For the auto touring enthusiast, the 14-mile Heintooga Round Bottom Road, a one-way unimproved gravel drive, offers spectacular scenery with mountain vistas and the occasional bear or elk sighting. Buses, motorhome, vans longer than 25' and any vehicle towing a trailer are prohibited on this road.

## Facilities

Balsam Mountain Campground offers 42 campsites for a traditional outdoor camping experience with the added convenience of flush toilets and drinking water. There are no hookups or showers at the campground. No lights are available in the restrooms at this campground. For campers' safety use of a flashlight, lantern or headlamp is recommended when accessing these facilities after day light hours.

## Natural Features

Balsam Mountain Campground is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges and pristine mountain streams. Elk are common in this part of the park during the spring and fall. Located at 5,310 feet elevation, Balsam Mountain's daytime temperatures rarely exceed 70 degrees F and night time temperatures may dip into the low 50's. 

## Nearby Attractions

Nearby attractions include: Maggie Valley, NC, Cherokee, NC, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, the Mountain Farm Museum, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Nantahala Outdoor Center, the Bryson City Railway and Asheville, NC

Balsam Mountain Campground

## Overview

Big Creek Group Camp is located in the far northeastern corner of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near the Tennessee-North Carolina border.   
  
With the gentle waters of Big Creek running alongside the site, and a handful of trailheads within walking distance, this campsite offers an ideal setting for group camping excursions.

## Recreation

Numerous hiking and horseback riding trails are accessible from the campground and in the surrounding areas. Most notably, the Appalachian Trail is easily reached via the Chestnut Branch Trail, a 2.1 mile trail for hikers only, beginning down the road from the campground.   
  
Nearby Baxter Creek Trail meanders along the water, while equestrian campers might enjoy taking the Big Creek Trail to Mouse Creek Falls or Midnight Hole, an area where Big Creek squeezes between large boulders, forming a deep, beautifully-colored pool.   
  
Compared to some other areas of the park, Big Creek is not crowded with anglers. Spring provides ideal conditions for fly fishing on Big Creek, with Rainbow and Brook trout looking for the aquatic insects which hatch during this time.

## Facilities

Big Creek Group Camp offers an unforgettable outdoor experience combined with the convenience of flush toilets, drinking water and sinks.   
  
The campsite can accommodate up to 25 guests and tent pads, grills and fire rings are provided. The site is surrounded by a heavy canopy of towering forest, providing plenty of shade for guests.

## Natural Features

Big Creek Group Camp is nestled among the scenic mountains and pristine streams surrounding the big creek section of the North Carolina Smokies.  
  
Nearby Mouse Creek Falls, a 35 foot waterfall forming at the confluence of Mouse Creek and Big Creek, is a stunning geological feature of the area.  
  
The falls splits over moss covered rocks and falls about 20 ft. before pooling and falling another 15 ft. into Big Creek. The falls can be reached via the Big Creek Trail, which is covered in wildflowers during spring months. 

## Nearby Attractions

The Big Creek Horse Camp is located nearby, with horse stables and riding trails available.  
  
Full service grocery stores and medical facilities are located 16 miles away in Newport, Tennessee.

## 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.

Big Creek Group Camp

IF YOU LOVE TO TRAVEL and you haven’t seen the mountains of North Carolina, you don’t know what you’re missing! At Creekwood Farm RV Park you will see all our well maintained spacious sites, our 100+ year old barn & silo and Jonathan Creek flowing by. Unlike other RV parks we have a farm setting – we even have chickens and a rooster!

You’ll also find level and spacious campsites, a large recreation hall, private & clean bathrooms and a covered picnic pavilion, perfect for family outings and campfire stories! Our park has shaded creek sites, large premium sites with in-ground fire pits, easy navigation pull through sites and easy access back-in sites. All sites are full hook up, with 30 & 50 amps, cable TV & Wi-Fi throughout the park. We have 2 fully equipped, red cedar rental cabins, a tent area and a dog park. All that’s missing is YOU! Call today to reserve your site at Creekwood Farm RV Park.

Creekwood Farm RV Park

It's all about location!! Our camp is uniquely situated in one of the few remote areas in the Smokies, surrounded by many recreational activities. Our campsites are the perfect basecamp for your next adventure! Our property borders the Pisgah National Forest and is next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Big Creek entrance. Within 4 miles, there is an entrance to the Appalachian Trail, rafting along the Pigeon River, the Smoky Mountain 1000 bike trail, horseback riding trails, 4x4 trails, multiple hiking trails and so much more! Cataloochee Valley, NC and Cosby, TN are both fun drives (all gravel roads) from the camp. We are happy to share more information with you!

Each campsite can be rented individually or the entire camp can be rented for a group camp. Each campsite has a fire ring, electric hookup, water hookup, room for multiple vehicles or tents, and access to the community bathhouse and the Big House. The bathhouse features a sink, flushing toilet, and a single shower. The Big House features a full-size refrigerator, stove/oven, and farm table. Potable water is now available onsite!

Please note: This camp is remote! 4x4 or all wheel drive is required to access this property. There is a very small creek crossing to access the property. Cell service is spotty and major services (stores and hospitals) are 30-45 min away. Please come prepared.

NOTE: The nightly rate is $45 PER VEHICLE. Each site can accommodate multiple vehicles, however each vehicle must be registered for each night on the property. You will register additional cars by "adding a guest". For example, if you have 2 cars for 2 nights at one campsite, you will need to "add an additional guest" so that you are charged $40 x 2 nights x 2 vehicles. If you would like to rent the entire camp for a group please reach out to us first so we can verify availability.



Falcon Expeditions - Big Creek Rustic Camp

Pride RV Resort

National Park Service

These sites are next to a river. Has fire pits and places to hang your gear. It's a great site down in the valley and the trail is beautiful getting there.

#39 Pretty Hollow

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