Cataloochee Valley In
The Great Smoky Mountains
National Park

Cataloochee Valley is nestled among some of the most rugged mountain peaks in the southeastern United States. Surrounded by 6000-foot peaks, this isolated valley was once the largest and most prosperous settlement in what is now the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The areas known as Big Cataloochee and Little Cataloochee are located in the remote southeastern section of the North Carolina portion of the GSMNP. Settled in the 1830s, Big Cataloochee is an oval-shaped valley watered by Cataloochee, Rough Fork, and Pretty Hollow creeks and surrounded by towering peaks. Noland Mountain separates it from Little Cataloochee to the north. Once known for its farms and orchards, today's Cataloochee is one of the most picturesque areas of the park. Few people visit this beautiful valley, but spectacular rewards await those who do. For more information on Cataloochee, Click Here.

Large tracts of land, including the land in Cataloochee, were granted to John Gray Blount, the brother of the Governor of the Southwest Territory, for services in lieu of cash. He, in turn, sold thousands of acres to Col. Robert Love, a Revolutionary War veteran and land speculator. The first land entry in Cataloochee was 100 acres to Henry Caldwell in 1814. By the 1850s, Cataloochee was populated enough that adult children of the families living in the valley moved to Little Cataloochee to establish their own farmsteads. In 1900, the population was around 700 and most of the original log houses had been enlarged and weatherboarded. There were about 200 buildings scattered around the valley. Of these, less than a dozen remain.

In the early 1930s, Tom and Judy Alexander settled in Big Cataloochee to establish a tourist ranch with horseback riding, fishing, and hiking opportunities. At this time nearly 100 families lived in Cataloochee. By 1937 most of the families had moved out. The Alexanders stayed one more year before they, too, left, relocating their ranch to outside Maggie Valley, North Carolina.

Unlike Cades Cove, relatively few visitors to GSMNP discover Cataloochee, although it rewards visitors who meet the challenge of getting here with its peaceful beauty. When you arrive you'll find historic buildings, a shady campground, and a self-guided auto tour. Along with preserved houses, churches, and farm buildings, Cataloochee offers extraordinary views of the surrounding mountains. It is also known for its dense wildlife populations. A paved road runs though Cataloochee Valley. RVs up to 32 feet can stay at the campground. Cataloochee is open year round.

Cataloochee Creek and its tributaries support a mixture of the largest rainbow and brown trout found in the valley. You can easily access the creek near the campground. Trails access other trout streams including Caldwell Fork - Palmer Creek, which has rainbows and brookies above 3,000 feet. Little Cataloochee Creek and Rough Fork, which is near the Big Hemlock backcountry campsite, a favorite camp of anglers seeking rainbow trout.

Primary Hiking Trails In Cataloochee Valley:

• Cataloochee Divide - 11.5 Miles, Moderate:Ê This trail, which forms the southeast boundary of the GSMNP, runs along the ridge from Cove Creek Gap to Paul's Gap.Ê There is an access road from either end of the trail.
• Caldwell Fork - 5.8 Miles, Moderate:Ê At the junction of the gravel and paved Cataloochee road, turn left to the ranger station and campgrounds.Ê Several creeks cross this trail.
• Pretty Hollow Gap - 4.0 Miles, Strenuous, 2,190 Foot Elevation Change:Ê Starts at the gate by the bridge before the historic schoolhouse.Ê Climbs Mt. Sterling Trail and junctions with Swallow Fork Trail.

Directions: The best route would be to exit I-40 at US 276 (Exit 20), near Dellwod, NC, and turn right onto Cove Creek Road after 0.2 mile. Follow Cove Creek Road as it becomes a gravel road for a portion of the 11-mile drive to Cataloochee. A more scenic route (not recommended for RVs) is to take a long winding road, Route 32, from Cosby, TN to the TN/NC border. Here the road becomes gravel. It twists and winds into Cataloochee. Click Here for maps that you can download and print. For more information: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Phone (423) 436-1200. Backcountry Reservations, 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, 37738. Phone (423) 436-1231.

Highlights of Cataloochee Valley:

• Historic Buildings: Cook Cabin recently reconstructed in Little Cataloochee. Also, several preserved houses, churches, and farm buildings
• Trout Fishing: Pick up fishing regulations at a park visitor center. A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required to fish within Park boundaries. A fishing license may be purchased in the nearby communities. The nearest town is maggie Valley, NC which is only 13 miles away.
• Camping: A primitive campground with 27 first-come, first- serve sites and Ranger Station. Open mid-March through October. Tents and RVs up to 32 feet are allowed. The backcountry campsites are open all year.
• Hiking: There are many enjoyable trails to hike in Cataloochee. Several of these designated backcountry campsites (by permit only) are along many of these trails.
• Horse Camp: Call 865-436-1231 between the hours of 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM to reserve a site.
• Wildlife Viewing Area.
• Bicycling
• Auto Tour
• Wildlife Viewing