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Getting there
Take I-85 South to Kings Mountain area; take U.S. 74 Bypass West to
I-26 (near Columbus). Take I 26 W. to I-40 W. to Canton/Knoxville,
exit I-40 and turn right onto U.S. 276; drive south for 0.4 miles.
Make a hard right on Old N.C. 284 (Cove Creek Rd.) and go northwest
for 9 miles. Turn left on National Park Rd., which is paved, and go
southwest 1.8 miles to Cataloochee.
To see and do
A lot of history was left behind when the Park was created, and
along its many trails visitors don’t know what remnants of pioneers
past they might uncover—crumbling chimneys, washtubs, rusty farm
implements, old graveyards or an old mill site.
Visitors may tour the school, churches, barn, and several homes.
Five historic buildings are located along the road, and an
additional four buildings can be reached by walking a couple of
miles down the nearby Little Cataloochee Trail. A self-guided auto
tour passes the historic Beech Grove School, the Caldwell and Woody
homes, Palmer Chapel and the Will Messer barn. Cataloochee’s hiking
trails may not compare with other areas of the Great Smoky National
Park but Caldwell Fork and Rough Fork are the two main hiking
trails. Running parallel to each other through the central part of
the valley, with several connecting trails they form an excellent
hiking system.
Elk roamed these mountains in the early 1700’s, but over-hunting and
loss of habitat eliminated all of them. In 2001, as part of an
experimental program 25 elk were introduced back into Cataloochee.
In February 2002 a second group of 27 elk were brought in. While the
herd can be seen in any given field or woods, the most likely place
to spot some are in the fields near the end of the paved road in
early morning or late afternoon. The elk shed their antlers in the
spring, so while walking in the fields or hiking, keep on the
lookout, and you may be able to spot discarded antlers. But, be
aware that it is unlawful to remove anything from the Park.
While not as populated with wildlife as Cades Cove, Cataloochee is
also inhabited with black bear, deer, red foxes and wild turkeys.
There are many streams—all noted for their rainbow, brook and brown
trout. In spring, blooms of rhododendron, dogwood, laurel and flame
azaleas provide a spectacular show.
Details
Cataloochee does not have its own Visitor Center. Bulletin boards at
the ranger station and campground list information on hiking and
fishing regulations. Information: Call Oconaluftee Visitor Center
(828) 497-1904, office hours vary according to season. Primitive
camping is available at $12 per night. RV’s up to 31 feet are
allowed, but because of the narrow, steep, winding gravel road
leading to Cataloochee, large RV’s are not recommended. There is a
comfort station, but no food. Fishing is allowed with a valid N.C.
or Tennessee fishing license. Cataloochee is open all year, but the
campground closes in November and reopens in mid-march. There is no
entry fee. A Self-guiding Auto Tour booklet may be purchased at the
Ranger bulletin boards, which provide a brief history of each
structure.
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