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Great Smoky Mountains National Park › North Carolina
› Haywood County
› Cataloochee Campground
› Campsite #9
Campsite #9 at Cataloochee Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC
$30
Campsite #9
| Drive-In | 6 people |
| 24 ft | Back-In |
| 2 | weak |
5/1
Campsite #9 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 24-foot driveway, Fire ring w/ Grill, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (16)
2.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 88% |
| 4 star | | 6% |
| 3 star | | 0% |
| 2 star | | 6% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@JamesF9843907 · Camped on Sep 14, 2024 at Campsite #9
I recently had an unpleasant encounter with the campground host that left a lot to be desired in terms of hospitality. From the moment we interacted, she was rude and dismissive. She complained about not having my information, which seemed to be more about her own shortcomings than anything I did. Rather than owning her mistakes or the limitations of her system, she insisted I should have been more prepared, placing the blame on me for her own lack of organization. Its unfortunate to feel like you're being scolded as a guest, especially when the issues stemmed from her inability to handle things on her end. Definitely not the kind of attitude you expect when you're out trying to enjoy a peaceful stay.
No Service
@BarbSB44B321A3 · Camped on Jun 5, 2024 at Campsite #9
Fantastic campground! We've enjoyed camping at Cataloochee for ten years, it's a smaller campground with only basic facilities but the hiking and the wildlife are great! You could expect to see elk, turkey, lots of birds and an occasional bear. The drive in isn't for the faint of heart, just go slow.
No Service
@MiriamF1BE60D3 · Camped on Oct 29, 2023 at Campsite #9
Campsites are well maintained and spacious. The facilities and amenities are all in good condition. It's really lovely.
Major Issues
@KimberlyW93778 · Camped on Jun 6, 2023 at Campsite #9
Love this campground. Quiet and peaceful with lots of hiking options. Love the elk sightings!
No Service
@MatthewM640374 · Camped on Aug 10, 2022 at Campsite #9
Without a doubt the best campground Ive ever set foot on, the staff are accommodating and helpful, and the guests are helpful to one another. My group was given firewood on one occasion and food on another even though we already had both, simply because others felt generous. We definitely returned the favor when we left.
No Service
@WilliamC221307 · Camped on Oct 31, 2021 at Campsite #9
Bring plenty of kiln-dried firewood this time of year. Very pleasant experience.
No Service
@JohnW636 · Camped on Oct 18, 2021 at Campsite #9
This is a great and small remote national park campground reached via several miles of a narrow gravel mountain road with blind curves. Sure am glad I didn't meet one of the few campers coming head on while on that road. As such, the campground is quiet and the sites are spaced apart from another. In this valley, the sun can rise late and set early with temperatures doing the same. It was great to be able to drive down the valley early in the mornings to see the elk herd. Lots of nice trails in the vicinity. Quite a few rock walls, small cemeteries, etc., left from the old Cataloochee communities along the trails. We hiked the Caldwell Fork/Boogerman 8-mile loop in late October and there were six times we had to wade a knee-deep stream. If you do this loop, go prepared and take some sandals. We found an AT&T cell signal up the road about a mile east of the campground.
Major Issues
@FredE543 · Camped on Oct 11, 2021 at Campsite #9
I've camped here since high school, almost 50 years ago. The campground has always been a great location, the valley itself a spectacular destination. The more recent addition of the toilet facility is a nice plus for the campground. Cataloochee offers a variety of hiking experiences, long and short, easy to difficult. Mt. Sterling, Boogerman, and the hike through Little Cataloochee are among my favorites. If you only stick to the Cataloochee valley and do short hikes, or bring bikes to ride, you'll find the valley a wonderful place. The elk who call this place home have become the stars of the valley for many visitors. And they don't disappoint. Know that the road in from Waynesville is long and rough, narrow in spots, not a place for long trailers, or people in a hurry. Even longer going toward Big Creek/Cosby. In the Big Creek area are other great hikes and a nice campground.
No Service
@CraigP335 · Camped on May 30, 2021 at Campsite #9
Prepare to unwind by slowly winding down into a secluded valley rimmed by eye relaxing mountains. Bring your electronic devices only to capture moments and not to distract yourself. Cold water and clean restrooms onsite, otherwise anticipate your personal needs and transport accordingly. Elk like to mosey about the campground as do many of the human types. Other than the noise of motor vehicle engines the campgrounds are fairly quiet save the occasional delightful sounds of children being children. NO onsite wood purchase, so if you want a campfire, who doesn't, be prepared to scavenge for downed dead wood or bring the treated stuff. Gem for history minded, Jarvis Palmer House/museum not far from the campground. All said and done, worth the price of admission.
No Service
@AndrewG541 · Camped on May 10, 2021 at Campsite #9
Really nice, very quiet campground with good water noise to sleep to
Some Coverage
@WilliamC246 · Camped on Apr 27, 2021 at Campsite #9
Lovely spot, lots of local history, good wildlife viewing, great hikes, wonderful fishing opportunities (if we'd had a license). Road not suitable for big RVs .
No Service
@RosemaryME4817 · Camped on Oct 8, 2020 at Campsite #9
Love this spot! Right on a river, lots of space around us with woods, a nice grill to cook on. I highly recommend it!
Some Coverage
@EricM3719593 · Camped on Oct 26, 2019 at Campsite #9
Fabulous trip last weekend the campground was open in October. While the traffic got congested before I left the valley and the elk were well worth the trip. Smallish campground but adequate. Bring everything you need. the road in was trying. Be careful and slow. And enjoy the valley.
No Service
@DavidG4457188 · Camped on Oct 20, 2019 at Campsite #9
The campground was clean and quiet. It was probably at only about thirty percent capacity during my stay which I liked. The host was friendly and check in/out was easy.
No Service
@FredE55ECD731C · Camped on Sep 22, 2019 at Campsite #9
An excellent and little known (so forget you read this and don't tell anyone about it) location in the Smokies. I've hiked a number of the trails over 40 years visiting - Mt. Sterling, Boogerman, Little Cataloochee, and others - and there's much to see, learn, and enjoy. Many folks come just for the elk, including lots who drive up and spend the day. Evenings in the fall include plenty of pickup trucks backed up to the fields to watch the elk emerge, graze, and engage in a hoped-for battle over breeding. Remnant and well-preserved settlements as well as 'old-growth' trees are here. Some easy to see as you ease down the road through Big Cataloochee, others you'll have to get out and walk. A beautiful and stunning memorial to the perseverance of the people who pioneered this place and to the indefatigable forces of nature which continue now. My hope is that some of the hemlocks (threatened here and everywhere by the invasive wooly-adelgid) will survive so that future generations will be able to see these magnificent trees in the natural environment.
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