The Cataloochee Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park doesn't open until March 9 this year, but now is the time to make reservations for this small 27-site campground.
Until 2010, visitors had to drive into the deep valley to find that there wasn't a spot for their tent or trailer. That drives includes almost three miles of twisty unpaved road. But now you can reserve a site using recreation.gov.
The campground is laid out in a one-way loop with campsites on both sides of the road. With such a small campground, it's hard to say if any site is better than any other. Sites #3, 5, and 7 back up to the swiftly flowing Cataloochee Creek, perfect if you're an angler! Site #10 is set back a little and a bit more private. But campers should expect to enjoy Cataloochee Campground with a bunch of other friendly people.
This campground accepts trailers that are less than 32 feet long. There are no electrical or water hook ups, though generator use is allowed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Each site has a tent pad, grill, and picnic table. A restroom with flush toilets and cold water is in the campground. Since this is the only place for running water, day visitors know to stop in this restroom as well. A camp host is there in season.
You should come ready with everything you need for your stay - and that includes gas. There is no campstore, and it's over ten miles to US 276 where you might find the first gas station and minimart. The closest town is Maggie Valley - and it's not that close and it's mostly motels and restaurants lining US 19.
The best part of Cataloochee campground is the location. With any luck, you'll see elk grazing in the fields in the early morning or at dusk. You can get started early for a hike on the Boogerman Trail or to the Woody House.
Palmer Chapel, Beech Grove School, and Caldwell House will be yours to explore quietly before the day visitors come. There is no cell phone coverage, so just enjoy the Cataloochee Valley.
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Comments
So, Recreation.gov has already gotten it's foot in the door of the Smokies. Surprise, surprise. And we wonder why this backcountry fee proposal is so pressing, why there is such a crisis in the smokies backcountry that requires the saviors on the white horse of a Canadian company, recreation.gov, to save us poor Southerners from ourselves. Corporate entities steering public policy in the NPS. Reminds me of the runup to the Iraq conflict. Weapons of mass deception here.
John, seriously? Comparing backcountry fee proposals to WMDs? Oh yeah, fyi Recreation.gov has been in the Smokies for years. Thats how you reserve a sight at some of their other campgrounds. You would know that if you knew anything. Sorry Traveler.
Great article Danny. Cataloochee is a gorgeous area of the Smokies!
Will,
You are right. I know nothing about front country, aka electricity camping. The backcountry is a different ballgame, about which you obviously know little. I suggest getting off the generator and venturing to the back of beyond to clear your brain of the walmart cobwebs and cheeto evenings in the wilds or your RV. Then you would understand the smoke and mirrors that have driven these fee proposals instead of being consumed by the exhaust of your big motor home.
Beautiful country with great hiking.
Wife and I made our first drive into Cataloochee Valley and all I can say is WOW! We were there mid day and got lucky to see about 20 elk in the meadow just before Palmer Chapel. Drove up from Atlanta just for that and it was worth it. I do have one question and that is does the park service allow dispersed camping of any type, even restricted (other than backpacking) off season when the campgrounds are closed?