Cataloochee Valley

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

(near Maggie Valley, NC)

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September 15 - 18, 2025

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Registration Contact & Trip Host: 

Mike Waddell 

Phone:  (803) 315-2409

Email: mwaddell003@sc.rr.com

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• Trip Capacity:  12

• Deposit:  $50

• Budget Estimate:  $125 per participant

• Primitive camping in group camp site

• Dinners provided

• Sandwich fixings available for self prep for on or off stream

 

One of several annual trips up to this area in North Carolina, this site is a rustic stream-side tent camping location in the Cataloochee Valley of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  The Group campsites are situated in a remote part of the Park and offer a great backcountry fishing experience.  

We will be in the thick of bear and elk habitat so staying wildlife aware is a good idea.  Oh, and the trout are wild.  They have not stocked in the Park for 30-some years.  Depending on conditions, you can expect to encounter native brook trout and wild rainbow and brown trout.  We encourage fly fishing and the practice of catch & release.  

What you will need:

• A current NC or TN Fishing License

• A National Forest Parking Pass - Recommend the 7 day pass at $15 (click here for information)

• A small personal or sharable tent and other personal camping gear (the site has 5 raised gravel tent pads measuring 16'x16' and all tents should be set up on the pads)

• Sunscreen

• Fishing gear

Please note:​

• Campsite limits autos to 5 - carpooling will be necessary

• No cell service anywhere in the valley (to obtain cell signals you can drive 20 minutes to the Park entrance point - on top of the mountain)

• There is a vault toilet nearby along with bear proof trash containers.

• Access road is gravel and rather narrow - no guard rails!  

 

For more information on the campgrounds (Click Here)

For directions (Click Here)

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Mail Deposits to

Michael Waddell

240 Frostwood Drive

Columbia, SC 29212