Cataloochee Horse Camp
Great Smoky Mountains National Park — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: Waynesville, NC, NC
Price: From $30 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (24 reviews)
Season: May through October
Located in the scenic Cataloochee Valley, tucked in a cool and shady canopy, this campground offers the best that the Great Smoky Mountains National park has to offer, including some of the most coveted horseback riding trails in the park. World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the preservation of Southern Appalachian culture, the Great Smoky Mountains is America’s most visited national park. You MUST have a HORSE to camp at Cataloochee
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/cataloochee-horse-camp to be notified when sites open up.
Located in scenic Cataloochee Valley within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this campground offers access to world-renowned horseback riding trails and diverse plant and animal life. The shaded canopy provides cool camping in one of America's most visited national parks.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Elk, Wild Turkey, Ruffed Grouse, and Eastern Milksnake present in area within 8km radius
Insider tips for Cataloochee Horse Camp: Book early as this is a federal campground with limited availability You must have a horse to camp at this location Only 7 tent sites available in Cataloochee Valley
Skip Cataloochee Horse Camp if: You do not own or plan to bring a horse. You need RV hookups - no hookups available at sites. You plan to visit November through April when campground is closed.
Best time to visit Cataloochee Horse Camp: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Nearby campgrounds: Cataloochee Campground (Waynesville, NC), Cataloochee Group Camp (Waynesville, NC), Balsam Mountain Campground (Cherokee, NC), Round Bottom Horse Camp (Cherokee, NC).
Cell Phone Coverage at Cataloochee Horse Camp
Cell signal at Cataloochee Horse 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.
Located in the scenic Cataloochee Valley, tucked in a cool and shady canopy, this campground offers the best that the Great Smoky Mountains National park has to offer, including some of the most coveted horseback riding trails in the park. World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the preservation of Southern Appalachian culture, the Great Smoky Mountains is America’s most visited national park. You MUST have a HORSE to camp at Cataloochee Horse Camp!
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
You must have a horse to camp at this location
Only 7 tent sites available in Cataloochee Valley
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 →
Take I-40 east from Knoxville, TN or west from Asheville, NC. Exit I-40 at NC exit 20, twenty-five miles west of Asheville (87 miles east of Knoxville). Turn right onto Cove Creek road 1/10 miles from I-40. Follow Cove Creek road approximately 11 miles to Cataloochee horse camp.
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.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Cataloochee Horse Camp cost per night?+
What season is Cataloochee Horse Camp open?+
Does Cataloochee Horse Camp have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Cataloochee Horse Camp?+
How do I make reservations at Cataloochee Horse Camp?+
What is the cell service like at Cataloochee Horse Camp?+
What season is Cataloochee Horse Camp open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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