**8/22 4:00PM UPDATE: If you need to change your RSVP to Not Going,** please don't remove yourself from the Wait List until I find out who will move into your spot. That person will then pay you for the spot you've given up.

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***Please join us*** for a very special Fall car camping trip to beautiful Cataloochee Valley, our last camping trip of 2024! Best known for the elk herds and rich history, Cataloochee is nestled among some of the most rugged mountains in the southeastern United States. Surrounded by 6,000-foot peaks, this isolated valley was once a large and prosperous settlement in what is now the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Please submit the waiver below to attend this event.
[https://app.cleverwaiver.com/render/templateByRefId/60c6dcad08ae6e3ec768a8e7?event=CataloocheeCamping-10.03.24](https://app.cleverwaiver.com/render/templateByRefId/60c6dcad08ae6e3ec768a8e7?event=CataloocheeCamping-10.03.24)

We will enjoy exploring the many historic buildings that have been preserved in the valley, including two churches, a school, and several homes, outbuildings, and graveyards. This is the best place in the park to see historic frame buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Five historic buildings are located along the road in the valley. An additional 4 buildings can be reached by walking a couple miles down the nearby Little Cataloochee Trail. There a numerous hiking trails near the camp to explore.

Fall is a great time to see the elk in Cataloochee. In 2001, elk were released in Cataloochee Valley as part of an experimental program to reintroduce elk to the park. The herd can be seen regularly in the fields of the valley, especially in the early morning and evening hours.

* Our group campsite has restrooms with vault toilets. All three group campsites have a fire pit, picnic tables, and bear proof trash cans. Since this is the Smokys, all food, coolers, and cooking equipment (**all "smell-ables"**) **must be keep in a vehicle when not in use per park regulations**.
* A valid parking tag is now **required** for any vehicle parking for more than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Details to obtain parking tag found here: [https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm#11/35.5959/-83.4988](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm#11/35.5959/-83.4988)
* We will **NOT** have running water, so please be prepared to bring water for your drinking, cooking, and cleaning needs. Water filtration can be done at the nearby stream, though.
* There are no stores conveniently nearby the campground (although you will pass several on the way), so be sure to pack all needed food, fuel, and supplies prior to arrival. The REI Car Camping Checklist is a very good one to use.
* There is **NO CELL SERVICE** at the campground. This will definitely be an "unplugged" event!!
* Tent space is tight so plan to bring the smallest tent you have for your needs, or plan to share a tent. Our site also has many suitable trees for hammocking.

**Directions:** Refer to these directions even if using a GPS. **PLEASE PRINT THEM OUT OR COPY THEM**. Part of the entrance road to Cataloochee Valley is a winding, gravel road that has some steep drop offs with no guard rails. You will be on this section about 15 minutes. 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, driving slowly when driving on this road...but know you can do it!!

Driving north from the Atlanta area, take **I-85N**. Merge onto **I-985N** via exit 113. I-985 will eventually become State Highways 441/365. Continue on 441 N approximately 96 miles to Franklin, NC, where you will turn RIGHT onto **US-23 N**/US-441 N/US-64 E/Sylva Rd/U.S 441 Bypass N.

Continue 20 miles on **441 N**. Merge onto **US-23 N/US-74 E**/Great Smoky Mountains Expressway via the ramp to Waynesville/Asheville/U.S. 64 E. Travel on 23N/74E for approximately 20 miles to **Exit 102B for U.S. 276** N/Russ Avenue toward Interstate 40.

Travel 1.4 miles then turn left onto **US-19 S/US-276 N/Dellwood Rd** (toward Maggie Valley). In about 2.5 miles turn right onto **US-276 N/Jonathan Creek Rd**. Travel 5.5 miles and turn left onto **Cove Creek Road.** Follow the signs 11 miles into the Cataloochee Valley.

This last section is where you will encounter a gravel road for approx. 15 minutes. After you enter the park and the pavement resumes, you will **turn right on Cataloochee Creek Road**. There should be a sign here for the Group Camp (if you get to the regular campground on your left, you’ve gone too far). Continue straight on Cataloochee Creek Road past a barn and farmhouse on your left till it dead ends into a grassy field. There are three group sites and ours is at far end of the field

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Fall Camping at Cataloochee in the Smokys!! PAID TRAIL DAMES MEMBERS ONLY!

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