Thanks for sharing, EB. Hope all is well.

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.

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.