Great Smoky Mountains National Park$30
Cataloochee
Closed for the season
Total sites: 27
Booking Window: 6 months
Season Opens: May 1, 2026
Booking Window: 6 months
Season Opens: May 1, 2026
2,610 ft
50°F
32°F
32°F
no signal
Cataloochee Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map
Cataloochee Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina (1 hr 4 min west of Asheville, NC) with an elevation of 2,610 feet. There are a total of 27 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 24 and 38 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Campsite Reviews (244)
4.7 out of 5
| 5 star | 75% | |
| 4 star | 14% | |
| 3 star | 4% | |
| 2 star | 2% | |
| 1 star | 1% |
@LoganB3438246 · Camped on Oct 24, 2025 at Campsite #15
Host was great and informative. Sites are very quiet and peaceful.
@DeborahB541180 · Camped on Oct 24, 2025 at Campsite #20
The windy road was tricky getting to the campground. Its very remote. I had a 22 foot travel trailer. Once I got there, the site was large and very acceptable. Viewing the Elks was a great extra.
@FredE55ECD731C · Camped on Oct 22, 2025 at Campsite #5
I have camped at Cataloochee for over 50 years, since the mid 70's. It is always a blessing to return. Many great memories there, some with folks who are no longer living. When I first came, the campground was simple and without modern conveniences. Now, there is a bathroom, a wash station, and usually a camp host. The valley itself is largely unchanged over the past 50 years but for the recent hurricane damage and the introduction of the Elk. The Elk, primarily, have led to an influx of visitors. If you go Cataloochee, for a day visit or to camp, please take care of this place. Treat it with the respect due those who gave up their homes, farms, churches, cemetaries, pieces of their lives, that we may have this place as the National Treasure that it is. And let's appreciate the work of the GSMNP Staff who work diligently to care for it every day.
@FredE55ECD731C · Camped on Oct 22, 2025 at Campsite #5
I have camped at Cataloochee for over 50 years, since the mid 70's. It is always a blessing to return. Many great memories there, some with folks who are no longer living. When I first came, the campground was simple and without modern conveniences. Now, there is a bathroom, a wash station, and usually a camp host. The valley itself is largely unchanged over the past 50 years but for the recent hurricane damage and the introduction of the Elk. The Elk, primarily, have led to an influx of visitors. If you go Cataloochee, for a day visit or to camp, please take care of this place. Treat it with the respect due those who gave up their homes, farms, churches, cemetaries, pieces of their lives, that we may have this place as the National Treasure that it is. And let's appreciate the work of the GSMNP Staff who work diligently to care for it every day.
@markc1361143 · Camped on Oct 22, 2025 at Campsite #23
Wonderful placeSimpleQuiteFreindly
@markc1361143 · Camped on Oct 22, 2025 at Campsite #23
Wonderful placeSimpleQuiteFreindly
@RandallL478612 · Camped on Oct 14, 2025 at Campsite #16
One of the greatest campgrounds in the smokies! Lots of elk and the leaves were popping.
@BobC3980695 · Camped on Oct 10, 2025 at Campsite #1
Cataloochee is a go-too favorite. Not too big, and very quiet.
@BrendaF31B4DA8 · Camped on Oct 7, 2025 at Campsite #3
We enjoyed spending a night in Cataloochee Campground. It was a beautiful moonlit night. The campground is well maintained and quiet. Plenty of elk to view in the late evening and earth morning. Even saw some bears. We look forward to returning.
@LindsayB696458 · Camped on Oct 5, 2025 at Campsite #3
Quiet, beautiful campground. Sites on outer loop are spacious. Site 3 is perfect. Nice bathroom facilities. Nothing better than staying in the valley!
@KathieBE8132B1 · Camped on Oct 3, 2025 at Campsite #27
Beautiful scenery, Elk didn't disappoint!Campground host very efficient and friendly. Park Rangers friendly.
@ScottF5762481 · Camped on Oct 1, 2025 at Campsite #3
Always enjoy my stays here! Ive been here quite a few times. No hook ups or showers, but water is available in the campground. I plan on returning for more visits.
@CharlesC950415 · Camped on Sep 30, 2025 at Campsite #15
everything was perfect as usual. a little rain, cool temps, saw elk and bears. hostess very nice. we'll be back.
@ErickH1348219 · Camped on Sep 29, 2025 at Campsite #3
Great, calm campground with get hosts. Road to get to location is gravel and not the best but that is literally the only downside
@JohnR2194126 · Camped on Sep 28, 2025 at Campsite #7
Nice, clean and quiet.
@DonnieRC0841F4 · Camped on Sep 26, 2025 at Campsite #27
The campground hosts were very helpful and appeared to enjoy working there. The campground was clean and walking distance to the elk viewing area.
@JenniferC92685 · Camped on Sep 23, 2025 at Campsite #5
Beautiful site, beautiful area!
@TracyW9719914 · Camped on Sep 19, 2025 at Campsite #17
Love this area of the GSMNP. Beautiful landscape and wildlife to see. Campground is great also we try to stay here every year
@JebPA8C3FB4629 · Camped on Sep 18, 2025 at Campsite #8
Great experience - check in very efficient. All positive.
@ChadF8B79400A8 · Camped on Sep 18, 2025 at Campsite #5
Nice sites, clean bathrooms and helpful campground host.
@PatM6728238 · Camped on Sep 16, 2025 at Campsite #20
Mid-Sept. was a great time to see the elk "performing" every morning and evening. An awesome show!
@DelbertB75A26C · Camped on Sep 14, 2025 at Campsite #5
The campground host was excellent
@TiffanyF863858 · Camped on Sep 5, 2025 at Campsite #19
I love this place. 9 years in a row going, sometimes twice a year. Always a clean campground. The hosts are always so nice! Beautiful area, family friendly, dog friendly (leash required!), abundant wildlife to watch and amazing hiking trails!
@RobertZ9176404 · Camped on Sep 5, 2025 at Campsite #24
The camp is isolated and difficult to reach because the main roads leading to it have been washed out, possible permanently. The camp itself is not very large and has no hookups, hence it is mainly tents. The sites in the center of the campground are tightly packed, while most along the edge are spacious. This is the cost for having close access to a large number of Elk along the road and walking trail. One must come prepared as there is no stores within 40 minutes of the camp or firewood.
@LaurenB3809936 · Camped on Aug 30, 2025 at Campsite #5
Campground is stunning and very peaceful! Extremely family friendly, don't be surprised if there are kids riding bikes around campground loop. One thing I did read before going, was that this campground is out of the way of the other attractions/visitors centers for GSMNP, this did hold true. We went to the nearest visitor center and it took us about 1.5 hours to get there. Even just getting into the campground takes a while, so I suggest planning to stay near the campground once in, we will be sure to do this next time. Also be advised there is no cell service once at the campground, so something to take into account if that is important to you.
Other Campgrounds Nearby
We track all the sites so you don't have to.
Reservation Systems
Campsites Tracking
Campsite Reviews
Available Tonight
Available this Weekend
Cancellations Today
PRO $2.50/month
You're in Control. We never save credit card information or auto-renew subscriptions.
- Availability Map Search
- 3000+ Interactive Campground Maps
- Campground Virtual Tours
- Save Your Favorite Campsites
- Favorite Campsites Availability
- Campground Mobile Speed Test Maps
- National Parks, Forests & Ranger District Layers
- Wildfires & Air Quality Map Layer
- Satellite View Map Layer
- Campsite SMS Cancellation Alerts
- Rent your Property & Cabins
- Love's & Super Walmart Map Layers
- Cracker Barrel & Bass Pro Shop Map Layers
- Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) Layer
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Map Layer
- RV Propane, Parking, Dump, Water Map Layer
Pro is FREE for 7 days. (No credit card information required!)
Thanks to all our Supporting Members
@ChazInSoCal - CA
I just used PerfectCamp.com to book six consecutive August nights at the most popular campsite in one of the most popular campgrounds in Humboldt Redwoods State Park in California. That is not anything I could have accomplished anywhere else with the ease I did here! Thank you, PerfectCamp! I LOVE this site! You will find me on several other camping sites but the design, format, functionality, and personality of this the best. It’s fresh and clean.
@Wondering - Oregon
Wow! Woke up this morning to a notification that a favorite had opened at Paulina, and when I went to check, it was there. This membership just paid for itself in the first 24 hours I owned it. Couldn't take the site it conflicted with a trip already set, but it truly was there. Thanks Tons.
map icon in the lower right corner.
Map Settings
Reset
 Satellite |
 Wildfires |
 National Forests |
 National Parks |
 Air Quality |
 BLM |
 OHV MVUM |
 Love's |
|
Dump Stations
|
Water
|
Propane
|
RV Parking
|
 Super Walmart |
 Cracker Barrel |
 Bass Pro Shops |
| Price*: |
| Length: |
| Amps: |
| Elev: | feet |
| Temp: | °F |
| Down: |
| Up: |
*Earn our Leave No Trace badge to see our free camping sites.
🎉 Earn +5 marshmallows for adding your first favorite.
Use your earned marshmallows to enter our monthly giveaways or to get a Pro Subscription.
Show your commitment in keeping our forests healthy and protecting our public lands by earning the Leave No Trace badge.