Cataloochee Campground campground
Cataloochee Campground
The Cataloochee Valley is home to a number of historic buildings, including old homes, barns, and churches. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the area and learn about the history of the community. The valley is also home to a large population of elk, which can often be seen grazing in the meadows.
The campground itself offers a variety of amenities, including flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and a campground store. There are no showers at the campground, but visitors can use the nearby showers at the Smokemont Campground.
One of the most interesting facts about the area is that it was once home to the largest black bear population in the eastern United States. While the bear population has declined in recent years, visitors are still likely to see bears during their stay.
The best time of year to visit Cataloochee Campground is in the fall, when the leaves on the trees turn brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange. The average temperature during this time of year is around 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, visitors should be prepared for cooler temperatures at night.
Overall, Cataloochee Campground is a great place to camp for those who want to experience the beauty and history of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With its stunning views, nearby points of interest, and modern amenities, it is an ideal spot for both novice and experienced campers alike.
What's on-site at Cataloochee Campground
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Cataloochee Campground, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cataloochee - Great Smoky Mountains | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Cataloochee Group Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Cataloochee Horse Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| #39 Pretty Hollow | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| 39 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Cataloochee Campground -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cataloochee Creek Near Cataloochee | 253 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River Near Hepco | 1,540 cfs | → |
| Pigeon R Bl Power Plant Nr Waterville | 2,190 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River Near Canton | 613 cfs | → |
| W Fk Pigeon R At Bethel | 446 cfs | → |
| East Fork Pigeon River Near Canton | 590 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Cataloochee Campground -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Found Gap | 7.1 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Bryson City 4 | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Gatlinburg | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Brevard | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Barnardsville 2 Se | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Dillard 0.7 Nnw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Cold Mountain Game Land
- Sandy Mush Game Land
- Wilderness Middle Prong
- Wilderness Shining Rock
- The French Broad River Park
- Swain County Park
Boat launches
- North Lakeshore Drive 103, Haywood County
- French Broad Boat Launch
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Church Street Jackson County
- Redmon Road Madison County
Fishing spots
Points of interest
- Will Messer Barn
- Jarvis Palmer Barn
- Jarvis Palmer House
- Indian Creek (Beech Grove) School
- Hiram Caldwell House
- Hiram Caldwell Barn
Paddle runs
- East Fork From Us Highway 276 To Confluence Of Dark Prong And Yellowstone Prong
- Yellowstone Prong From Headwaters To Confluence With East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- Dark Prong From Headwaters To Confluence East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
- North Fork From Bottom Of Spillway Of Hendersonville Reservoir To Confluence With South Fork
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Cataloochee Campground as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Cataloochee Campground
Can I make reservations at Cataloochee Campground?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Cataloochee Campground?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Cataloochee Campground.