Photo Courtesy of Richard Weisser -

The Cataloochee Valley is one of the most remote, and therefore least visited, parts of the Smoky Mountains National Park. The area is of a rural rather than wilderness nature, having once supported a close-knit family community of 1,200 residents, some of whom lived in the valley as recently as the 1960s. 

Cataloochee River - Photo courtesy of Richard Weisser

The Smokey Mountain park  is a premier wildlife viewing area. Early in the morning and late in the evening make the viewing. The Cataloochee valley  basin has  large open spaces, providing excellent opportunities for viewing. 

Peak wildflower season is April, but the open meadows hold blooms from spring to fall.

Mountain laurel, rhododendron, and flame azalea attract visitors throughout spring and summer. Mountain laurel blooms in May, followed by rhododendron in late June and early July


Photo courtesy of Richard Weisser - smokeyphotos.com 


The valley's pastoral roots are evident in several old buildings, including a school, a church, and a number of former homes and barns. The name Cataloochee is derived from the Cherokee phrase god-a-lu-chee, which generally translates into English as "wave upon wave of mountains" and refers to the distant views of the region as seen from the higher mountain peaks. 

Cataloochee Overlook - Photo courtesy of Richard Weisser

Once known for its farms and orchards, today's Cataloochee is one of the Smoky Mountain's most picturesque areas. Few people visit this beautiful valley, but spectacular rewards await those who do.