Cataloochee Group Camp
Federal campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Location: Waynesville, NC, NC
Price: From $50 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (9 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.Cataloochee Group Camp provides a primitive outdoor c
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/cataloochee-group-camp to be notified when sites open up.
Cataloochee Group Camp offers a secluded experience in the remote Cataloochee Valley with excellent hiking opportunities and ideal fishing conditions in area creeks. The relatively remote location provides access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park without the crowds common at other park areas.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Timber Rattlesnake, Elk, and Wapiti present in the area. Eastern Cottontail, Ruffed Grouse, and various snake species also documented.
Insider tips for Cataloochee Group Camp: Book early as this is a federal campground with limited availability Bring a self-contained RV or prepare for tent camping—no hookups available Access via Cove Creek Road from I-40 exit 20, approximately 25 miles west of Asheville
Skip Cataloochee Group Camp if: You need RV hookups—none are available at this location. You require camping outside May-October—seasonal operations only. You prefer developed campgrounds—this is a remote, rustic group camp with only 3 tent sites.
Best time to visit Cataloochee Group Camp: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Nearby campgrounds: Cataloochee Campground (Waynesville, NC), Cataloochee Horse Camp (Waynesville, NC), Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) (Gatlinburg, NC), Round Bottom Horse Camp (Cherokee, NC).
Cell Phone Coverage at Cataloochee Group Camp
Cell signal at Cataloochee Group Camp (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 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.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.
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 limited availability
Bring a self-contained RV or prepare for tent camping
no hookups available
Access via Cove Creek Road from I-40 exit 20, approximately 25 miles west of Asheville
Campground operates seasonally during these months 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 →
Exit I-40 at exit 20, 25 miles west of Asheville, NC (87 miles east of Knoxville, TN). Turn right onto Cove Creek road 1/10 mile from I-40. Follow Cove Creek Road 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 and turn right onto a dirt road after crossing a bridge. Go 1 mile to group camp gate..
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 Group Camp cost per night?+
What season is Cataloochee Group Camp open?+
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What is the maximum RV length at Cataloochee Group Camp?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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