Campsite #23 at Cataloochee Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC

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$30

Campsite #23

23 reviews
Drive-In 6 people
26 ft Back-In
2 weak
23
5/1
Campsite #23 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 26-foot driveway, Fire ring w/ Grill, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed

Campsite Reviews (20)

5.0 out of 5

5 star
75%
4 star
25%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%

@markc1361143 · Camped on Oct 22, 2025 at Campsite #23
Wonderful placeSimpleQuiteFreindly
@GlenSF15CA9FA2 · Camped on Sep 17, 2023 at Campsite #23
We love our camping trips to Cataloouchee! The camp ground is always full of wonderful folks easily making friends with. The Elk was bugling and the weather was perfect. There did seem to not be as many elk as in past years. On a positive note we got to see the new baby elk with its Mom! That was the first little one we have ever seen at Cataloouchee! See ya again soon!!!!!
AT&T
No Service
@PatriciaB22981 · Camped on May 8, 2023 at Campsite #23
We enjoyed being just a short walk from the campsite to the bridge and the boogerman trail. The sound of the generators detracted from the peacefulness of the woods. There wasn't much privacy because the camp sites are close together.
@MargitB4404726 · Camped on Oct 23, 2022 at Campsite #23
Great base for watching elk. The center campsites can get noisy (generators) and don't much privacy. Trails were better maintained than a few years ago.
Verizon
No Service
@JamesG6676411 · Camped on Oct 20, 2022 at Campsite #23
Last week of the season but everything was neat and clean. Bathrooms was clean, site was clean. The host was not there when I arrived but PLENTY of info available left out on the tables.
AT&T
No Service
@RichardE734484 · Camped on Oct 13, 2022 at Campsite #23
Great experience. Affordable, restroom and wash basin available - and lots of elk in the morning.
T-Mobile
No Service
@chrysh03AC7524 · Camped on Sep 18, 2022 at Campsite #23
This is a small intimate campground. I came here for the elk watching in the valley, and was not disappointed. the sites are close together, not much privacy but everyone was friendly and the campground was quiet. The restroom was clean and well maintained. my only complaint is there was no light in the dishwashing station and I usually had to wash dishes after dark. A light would be helpful as there was no place to set down or hang a lantern. Warning: the gravel road in is narrow, with many tight blind curves. not for the faint of heart. bring everything you will need, you wouldn't want to have to drive that 9 mile road back for supplies.
Verizon
No Service
@MarnaYA021124E · Camped on May 18, 2022 at Campsite #23
Enjoyed the valley and surrounding mountains. Bathroom clean and sell-stocked. Watch out for poison ivy.
Verizon
No Service
@JamieC5721207 · Camped on Apr 30, 2022 at Campsite #23
The campground was amazing! We chose our spots close to our camp dates so we had limited selection but we marked the spots we love and plan to try to book those next year! Looking forward to coming back. The bathhouse was a wonderful sight as the website made it seem more primitive than it was.
Verizon
No Service
@CarolynN311 · Camped on Oct 29, 2021 at Campsite #23
The camp hostess was very sociable and helpful and the bathroom was exceptionally clean. The fall colors were fantastic, campsites comfortable and our fellow campers quiet and respectful of privacy. It was a great weekend!
Verizon
No Service
@JaneS504 · Camped on Oct 6, 2021 at Campsite #23
We checked it out in person before we made our reservation and it looks great for camping. There is a dirt road to get there, a little rough. But there are flush toilets and nicely shady campsites. The camp host was very nice and answered all our questions. BUT we never got to camp because it was so rainy, we decided not to go. Will try again someday
Verizon
No Service
@AnneMarieW940 · Camped on Aug 21, 2021 at Campsite #23
What a surprise! Beautiful campground (we were tent camping), lots of nice walks, well kept grounds, and bathrooms were well-maintained. John, the host, was helpful with hiking tips.
T-Mobile
Some Coverage
@ZoeH316 · Camped on Jun 1, 2021 at Campsite #23
I am so glad that we chose to stay at Cataloochee Campground while we were visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cataloochee is a bit off the beaten trail, something we absolutely loved. It is relatively private, quiet, and well-maintained. The road to get into Cataloochee was its own scenic adventure, as it winds in and out of the bluffs and down into the Cataloochee Valley. We really enjoyed driving further along the road past the campground to explore the trailheads there, as well as some of the historical buildings scattered throughout the valley. There are also large open meadows where we were able to quietly observe herds of elk grazing and even a small black bear digging for ants. Although the road to Cataloochee Campground is a dead-end and doesn't connect to other areas of the park, we didn't find this to be a nuisance -- getting to either the Oconoluftee Visitor Center (via Hwy-276 and the Blue Ridge Parkway) or the Sugarlands Visitor Center (via I-40 and Hwy-321) took only 50min to 1hr 15min, respectively. I would definitely recommend Cataloochee Campground and look forward to coming back!
Verizon
Some Coverage
@ChrisP915 · Camped on May 2, 2021 at Campsite #23
This is a small, remote campground, and the narrow winding access road limits the number and size of RVs. A lot of campers are in tents, and everyone honored the time restrictions on generators and just noise in general. That plus the lack of people driving through makes for a very quiet camping experience.
Verizon
Some Coverage
@PaulJ679 · Camped on Apr 5, 2021 at Campsite #23
Quiet, relaxing time camping in nature. Elk even came up through the campgrounds, yet everyone remained safe as they kept their distance from the elk. Trails are great for kids with the small creeks for rock hopping.

Only wish day visitors to the area would respect the rules and the wildlife and not encourage the elk to come up to their cars. We saw a truck with the bed full of young kids encourage an elk to come to their truck so they could pet it. Another car did the same thing on a different day.

Other than that, family had a great time. The host was nice, neighboring campers were friendly. We’ll definitely be back.

Verizon
Major Issues
@PaulJ4100707 · Camped on Apr 5, 2021 at Campsite #23
Quiet, relaxing time camping in nature. Elk even came up through the campgrounds, yet everyone remained safe as they kept their distance from the elk. Trails are great for kids with the small creeks for rock hopping.Only wish day visitors to the area would respect the rules and the wildlife and not encourage the elk to come up to their cars. We saw a truck with the bed full of young kids encourage an elk to come to their truck so they could pet it. Another car did the same thing on a different day.Other than that, family had a great time. The host was nice, neighboring campers were friendly. Well definitely be back.
Verizon
Major Issues
@LindaN4356506 · Camped on Oct 21, 2020 at Campsite #23
A nice get away from the crowds in GSMNP this season. Elk, hiking trails and historic buildings.
AT&T
No Service
@johnc3063297 · Camped on Oct 12, 2020 at Campsite #23
Great location for elk. Fall colors were popping. Camp hostess was wonderful (even on her day off!!)
AT&T
No Service
@CharlesR514161 · Camped on Oct 21, 2019 at Campsite #23
My family and I eagerly look forward to the next opportunity to return.
AT&T
No Service
@JamesG6676411 · Camped on Sep 23, 2019 at Campsite #23
One of the better places to see wildlife. Clean site, clean restrooms, hosts very helpful
AT&T
No Service

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