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Palmer Place log cabin built
1860—siding about 1902 |
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Caldwell Place—built 1903 |
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Caldwell barn, across stream from
house |
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Beech Grove School 1903 |
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Fall colors in
field where often find elk and deer in morning
and late afternoon
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Cataloochee National Park
This historic, remote and unspoiled National Park takes visitors
back to olden days
Historic Cataloochee is North Carolina’s answer
to Cades Cove. Both are part of the Great Smoky Mountains National
Park, and while there are similarities between the people that lived
in the two areas before the National Park Service uprooted them,
there are numerous differences. Cataloochee is much more remote and
is called “The Quiet Side of the Smokies.”
Not to be confused with Cataloochee Ranch or Cataloochee Ski Area in
Maggie Valley, the attraction of this section of the National Park
is its remoteness, wildlife, fishing, hiking and it’s historic
buildings. Its extensive trail system and its streams have become
favorites of families, hikers, fishermen and campers.
Before it became part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,
Cataloochee Valley was one of the largest and more prosperous
settlements in the Smokies—a thriving farm community with more than
1,200 people and 200 buildings. Today only churches, a school, a few
houses and a barn remain in this eastern section.
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.
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Palmer Place log
cabin built 1860—siding about 1902 |
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Caldwell Place—built 1903 |
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Inside Palmer Chapel |
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Palmer Chapel built 1903 |
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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.
If you’re going:
From Mooresville it’s about 150 miles to Catalooche National Park, about a 3
½- hour drive one way. Take I-40 W. to exit 20 and follow the signs to Route
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 Road,
which is paved, and go southwest 1.8 miles to Cataloochee.
A more scenic, route if you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, is to take the
winding dirt road south from exit 451 off I-40—but be careful in inclement
weather and only drive it in the daytime.
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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