We spent a few wonderful days camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, mostly in the remote Cataloochee Valley.
The dirt road leading over a mountain and then down to the Cataloochee Valley is pretty daunting, especially pulling a 21’ travel trailer. The road is only three miles long, but the average speed is 5 mph, so it’s a slow and nerve wracking drive.
The road has frequent bumps and deep potholes, stretches of washboard that will rattle bones, blind switchbacks, and steep drop-offs.
I think the difficulty in reaching the area and also the complete lack of amenities there keeps the crowds camping and visiting Cataloochee thin, but it’s definitely worth the slow and difficult drive over the mountain.
In the Cataloochee Valley, there are expansive grass fields where elk, bear, and turkey graze. There are miles of hiking and horse trails. There are miles of paved and gravel roads for cycling. There are also historic houses and buildings preserved in the valley.
Here are some of photos from our time there, and down below you can find some tips about camping in Cataloochee Valley in Smoky Mountain National Park.
Tips for Camping in Cataloochee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Location:
NPS Website: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cataloochee.htm
Camping Reservations: http://www.recreation.gov/camping/cataloochee-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72293
Good things to know when camping in Cataloochee Valley
The Cataloochee Valley is difficult to access, so be prepared for slow and tense driving along the winding dirt road that leads up and over a mountain to Cataloochee. During or just after a hard rain, the road is made much more difficult, so be cautious.
There is nothing for sale in Cataloochee Valley. Nothing. The closest stores are convenience stores on the highway about 30 minutes away from the campground.
Firewood is not for sale in Cataloochee Valley, but you can burn what you find on the ground.
Beside the campground there is a fast flowing stream with a pool for swimming in warmer months.
There is no electricity for campers or electric, water, sewer hookups for RVs.
There are no showers.
Cell phone service is really spotty. Do not depend on it.
I just realized that I’m about 2 hours from this place and I’ve never heard of it. Thanks for the heads-up. The rates look reasonable. What kind of facilities are provided for people who stay in the group/frontcountry campgrounds?
Hi Chad,
I did not check out the group campground, but my understanding is that there isn’t much in the way of facilities in all of Cataloochee Valley. In the primitive campground, we had a bathroom with a couple toilets and a sink. No showers. There was a separate sink station for dishes. There is no electricity unless you bring a generator. Water was located at a couple of wells.
Cataloochee Valley is definitely worth the visit. It’s not overrun with people like most areas around the Smokies.
Hey Mark, glad you and the family got to stop at Cataloochee. I’ve been organizing an annual camping trip at the group campground there for 11 years now and it’s one of my favorite places in the world. I’ve enjoyed keeping up with you guys through the emails and look forward to many more stories. At one time, the RV campsite master was from Fuquay…not sure if he’s still there as we typically keep to the group campground which is a few miles away.
C.C., as for facilities, the group campground has 3 group sites, one relatively open and on the stream, one very close to the stream and in a little more dense canopy and the third a couple hundred yards away from the stream also with a good canopy. Each site has (I think) 4-5 tent pads. The sites are all along the outskirts of a cleared area about the size of a football field great for bocce, cornhole, frisbee, etc. Each site has a fire pit and an open charcoal grill. There is a relatively new outhouse with separate men’s & women’s stalls. No running water or electricity. A few years ago, we noticed someone created a small rock formation in the stream that serves well a little bath, if you will. This is also the area where Elk are being reintroduced so you may get to see some of them as well. Go there, you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks for sharing, EB. Hope all is well.