Cataloochee Group Camp
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.
This is the group site. Looking for the main campground? Cataloochee Campground, 27 sites, is 1.5 miles away.
More like this: reservable in North Carolina · tent only in North Carolina · pets allowed in North Carolina · group sites in North Carolina
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group tent areas | 3 |
Site guide
3 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G001 | Gravel | 25 / 5 | Yes | |
| G002 | Gravel | Full | 25 / 5 | Yes |
| G003 | Gravel | Full | 25 / 5 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. |
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. The three group sites can accommodate up to 25 guests. For groups larger than 25 people, all three sites may be reserved at once.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
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.
| Nearest town | Waynesville, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35.6507° N, 83.0738° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 10.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Black Balsam Outdoors ↗ | 20.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Camping World ↗ | 35.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Cataloochee Campground Tour 4K - Find that perfect Smoky Mountain campsite
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Cherokee National Forest, which overlaps National Forests in North Carolina.
- inCherokee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,228,298 acres
- inNational Forests in North Carolina ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,026,237 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Davis Family HouseBuilding · Crabtree · 5.9 mi
- Mount Zion United Methodist ChurchBuilding · Crabtree · 10.1 mi
- Shackford HallBuilding · Lake Junaluska · 10.2 mi
Natural features
Cataloochee Group Camp is in an area characterized by picturesque mountain ranges and pristine streams, like the nearby Cataloochee Creek and its many tributaries. Whether blanketed in bright spring wildflowers or vivid fall colors, the scenery at Cataloochee never disappoints. The Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy. In particular, the Cataloochee area is known for the elk herd, which populates the valley in the spring and fall.
Recreation
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with a number of trails easily accessible from the Cataloochee Valley. Most notably, the Boogerman Trail, an almost 6-mile loop overlapping with the Caldwell Fork Trail, allows hikers to take in groves of old-growth forest. High-quality backcountry fishing in the cool, remote waters of the countless streams that snake through the valley, provide anglers with choice opportunities to catch wild trout. The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park. A handful of which can be found nearby the campground, including the Palmer House, which offers a self-guided museum.
Nearby
A number of the park's famous historical buildings, including cabins and churches, are located close to the campground. The town of Asheville, NC is approximately 35 miles from the campground and offers plenty of cultural and historic activities as well as restaurants and groceries.
Guidebooks for Great Smoky Mountains National Park
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Fly Fishing Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National ParkIan Rutter and Charity Rutter, 2024Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Cataloochee Group Camp?
Sites at Cataloochee Group Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cataloochee Group Camp?
Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cataloochee Group Camp?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Cataloochee Group Camp have?
3 sites, including 3 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Cataloochee Group Camp?
Cataloochee Group Camp is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Cataloochee Group Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cataloochee Group Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cataloochee Group Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Cataloochee Group Camp?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with a number of trails easily accessible from the Cataloochee Valley. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Cataloochee Group Camp?
Waynesville, North Carolina. A number of the park's famous historical buildings, including cabins and churches, are located close to the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Cataloochee Group Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cataloochee Campground (1.5 mi), Cataloochee Horse Camp (2.8 mi), and Big Creek Campground (7.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Cataloochee Group Camp in?
Cataloochee Group Camp is a Great Smoky Mountains National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.