Explore peaceful valleys, historic structures, and observe the elk.
Explore peaceful valleys, historic structures, and observe the elk.
Cataloochee Valley Re-Opening
Cataloochee Valley Re-Opening
Great Smoky Mountains News Release
DATE: April 3, 2024
Great Smoky Mountains National Park to reopen portions of Cataloochee on April 4
Gatlinburg, TN – On April 4 by 12 PM EST, the National Park Service (NPS) will reopen portions of Cataloochee Valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cataloochee Valley has been closed since September 2024 following significant damage from Hurricane Helene. Within the park, Cataloochee Valley saw the worst impacts from Hurricane Helene.
Since September, the NPS has addressed the following damage throughout Cataloochee:
Re-graveled sections of Cataloochee Entrance Road, Cataloochee Creek Road, parking areas near Palmer House, and Cataloochee Group Camp Road.
Completed emergency stabilization of Hiram Caldwell Barn.
Addressed many downed and hazard trees around roads, campgrounds and buildings throughout the valley.
Assessed trail conditions across 60 miles of trails and completed some trail restoration.
Addressed significant erosion around Caldwell Barn and restrooms and Beech Grove School.
The park continues to work to restore roads, trails and facilities throughout Cataloochee Valley.
Cataloochee roads
The following roads will open to vehicles in Cataloochee on April 4:
Cataloochee Entrance Road up to Beech Grove School.
Cataloochee Creek Road to the Old Cataloochee Entrance Road Bridge
Old Highway 284. Visitors will be able to drive Cataloochee Valley Entrance Road up to Beech Grove School.
Visitors will be able to park near Beech Grove School and walk the rest of Upper Cataloochee Valley Entrance Road but should use extreme caution as the road is very uneven and has large ditches. This section of road saw the most significant damage from the hurricane and is not accessible to motor vehicles at this time. The park is currently evaluating options for rehabilitating the rest of Cataloochee Entrance Road.
Visitors are reminded that the entrance to Cataloochee Valley from Cove Creek Road is a winding, gravel road that has steep drop offs with no guard rails. The road is narrow, so drivers may be required to stop or back up their vehicles to allow oncoming motorists to pass. Horse trailer traffic may be encountered on the road. Please use caution when driving on this road.
The park plans to open Old Highway 284 open on April 4. Old Highway 284 is also a winding, gravel road. The park closes Old Highway 284 in cases of severe weather and/or heavy rain.
Trail conditions following Hurricane Helene
Most trails in Cataloochee Valley are open, but hikers should exercise extra caution as there are still downed trees, rutted or damaged sections of trail, exposed tree root balls, and landslides. Hikers should also plan for stream crossings on trails—most foot logs in Cataloochee Valley were lost during Hurricane Helene and have not been replaced. Several Cataloochee trails are closed to horses due to unstable trail surfaces and tree debris.
Please check the latest trail conditions and hiking safety tips on the park website as you plan your trip. Hikers are reminded that Cataloochee is in a remote area of the park where rescue will not be immediate. Hikers are responsible for their own safety.
Campgrounds and picnic areas
The campground, group campground, and horse camp in Cataloochee is currently closed. The park will open additional campgrounds if operational capacity allows.
Cataloochee Valley
Elk Viewing, Historic Structures and a Peaceful Valley
The Cataloochee Valley section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is approximately a 1 hour and 20 minutes drive from Bryson City. If you have already explored Oconaluftee and seek more of the same features, this is a great spot to visit. A variety of historic buildings have been preserved in the valley, including a school, church, barn, outbuildings, and several homes. Five buildings are along the road in the valley. An additional four buildings can be reached via a hike down the Little Cataloochee Trail. This is the best place in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to see historic frame buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The self-guiding Auto Tour Booklet (usually available roadside near entrance) provides brief histories of each structure.
Of historic significance, the valley was one of the largest and most prosperous settlements with 1,200 people living here in 1910. Most made their living by farming, including commercial apple growing. Early tourism developed here and some of the families boarded fishermen and tourists who vacationed in the mountains. The plan to create a national park left few people living in Cataloochee by 1938. Cataloochee Valley contains a number of old homes that you can still see and walk through, such as the Beech Grove School, Palmer Chapel and numerous frame houses that help us take a step back in time and imagine what life might have been like in Cataloochee.
To get there from Bryson City, follow US-74E/Great Smoky Mountains Expy and US 276 North continue to Cove Creek Rd in Haywood County. Continue on Cove Creek Road. Drive to Cataloochee Entrance Road. An alternate route along US 19 East is more scenic, and takes you past Soco Falls, but will add about 10 minutes to your travel time one way. The entrance road to Cataloochee Valley is a winding, gravel road that has some steep drop offs with no guard rails. The road is narrow, so drivers may be required to stop or back up their vehicles to allow oncoming motorists to pass. Horse trailer traffic may be encountered on the road. Please use caution when driving on this road.
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