Cataloochee Campground
Great Smoky Mountains National Park — fishing, hiking
Location: Waynesville, NC, NC
Price: From $30 per night
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (385 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.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, durin
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/cataloochee-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Cataloochee Campground offers a secluded setting in historic Cataloochee Valley within Great Smoky Mountains National Park with an extensive, less-crowded trail system. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing in a relatively remote area.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Elk, Wild Turkey, Ruffed Grouse, and Eastern Ratsnakes present in the area
Insider tips for Cataloochee Campground: Book early as this is a federal campground with high demand Bring a self-contained RV or plan to tent camp as most sites have no hookups Access via Cove Creek Road transitions from pavement to gravel to pavement
Skip Cataloochee Campground if: You require RV hookups - most sites have none. You need to camp outside May through October - seasonal operations only. You prefer spontaneous camping - book in advance for federal campground.
Best time to visit Cataloochee Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Cataloochee Group Camp (Waynesville, NC), Cataloochee Horse Camp (Waynesville, NC), Balsam Mountain Campground (Cherokee, NC), Round Bottom Horse Camp (Cherokee, NC).
Cell Phone Coverage at Cataloochee Campground
Cell signal at Cataloochee Campground (Waynesville, NC): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with high demand
Bring a self-contained RV or plan to tent camp as most sites have no hookups
Access via Cove Creek Road transitions from pavement to gravel to pavement
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From I-40 take Exit 20 in North Carolina. Turn right onto Cove Creek Road and follow 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 to an intersection and continue another .5 miles to the left.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Great Smoky Mountains National Park fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Great Smoky Mountains National Park before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Cataloochee Campground cost per night?+
What season is Cataloochee Campground open?+
Does Cataloochee Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Cataloochee Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Cataloochee Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Cataloochee Campground?+
What season is Cataloochee Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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