Cosby-Big Creek-Cataloochee Auto Tour

This Cataloochee 11-mile tour carries you past an historic school, home, and church on the North Carolina-side of the GSMNP. Cataloochee is a cove enclosed by Balsam Mountain to the west and Scottish Mountains on the east. For these reasons, Cataloochee cove is more difficult to get to than other areas of the Park. Before the development of the Park in the early thirties, Cataloochee was farmland maintained by an agricultural community of nearly 1,100 settlers. Though few of the original structures remain, Big Cataloochee is the largest of the coves in the area. The Caldwell and Woody homes, the Will Messer barn, Beech Grove School and Palmer Chapel still exist and are serviced by the National Park Service. The main entrance to Cataloochee is from NC 284 (Cove Creek Road), which is just south of I-40 exit 20. Note, however, there is no sign to indicate Cove Creek Road, and after one-half mile, the pavement will end. In another half-mile, you will come to a fork in the road--the Cove Creek Road continues to the right. In this drive, you will climb almost 5 miles to the Park boundary at Cove Creek Gap. Then continue on about 2 miles and go left on the new Cataloochee Road, traverse Cataloochee Creek and on into Cataloochee Campground. The Boogerman Loop Trailhead is accessed from this area and is an interesting hike for your entire family. Since this trip takes an entire day if you are coming from either the Asheville NC or Pigeon Forge TN areas, pack a substantial picnic lunch with plenty of fluids.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GSMNP •