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 Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer without encountering the crowds that are sometimes common in other areas of the park. The 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, and 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. 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 provides anglers with choice opportunities to catch wild trout. The park 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, and a handful can be found near the campground, including the Palmer House, which offers a self-guided museum. The area is 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, and the Cataloochee area in particular is known for the elk herd that populates the valley in the spring and fall. 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.