Cataloochee-Big Creek-Smokemont

The southwest portion of the park, in North Carolina and east of US-441, contains the Big Creek, Cataloochee and Smokemont areas of the park. Big Creek area is in the northeast of the park and has campgrounds, a picnic area, and access to many trails into the backcountry, including the Appalachian Trail and Benton MacKaye Trail. Cataloochee Valley in the southeast corner of the park has many historical structures from before the park's creation and is a good place to see elk. Smokemont, near Cherokee, is one of the most popular areas of the park.

Map:

Directions:

Big Creek:

Ranger Station GPS: 35.75984,-83.10552

Day Use Area GPS: 35.75159,-83.10977

Big Creek is one of the more remote areas of the park in the northeastern corner the park in North Carolina and is most easily reached from Tennessee. Take I-40 west from North Carolina to the first exit in Tennessee, 451. Turn left at the end of the off-ramp to go under the interstate. Turn right and then left on Tobes Creek Road to cross Pigeon River. Immediately after the bridge, turn left on Waterville Road to head back into North Carolina. In about 2 miles, the road will enter the park and turn to gravel. The Big Creek Ranger Station is on the right shortly past the entrance. The campgrounds and day-use parking are about a mile further down the road.

Trails:

Big Creek Trail:

Big Creek Trail starts from the Big Creek day use area parking and follows its namesake for 5 miles upstream. Midnight Hole and Mouse Creek Falls are just off the trail at 1.5 and 2.0 miles, respectively. After Mouse Creek Falls, the trail crosses the creek on a large bridge and stays on this side for about 3 miles. At 5.1 miles, Swallow Fork Trail splits to the left, heading up towards Mount Sterling. Big Creek Trail crosses the creek once more and Low Gap Trail splits to the right. A backpacking and equestrian campsite are along here. Big Creek Trail ends at 5.7 miles and becomes Camel Gap Trail.

Waterfalls:

A number of scenic waterfalls are located in this area of the park. Several area easy to visit but a few are very difficult.

Gunter Fork Falls:

Gunter Fork Falls is located deep in the park. It's an interesting waterfall with an upper drop followed by a long slide over orange rock. But the hike is more than 16 miles round trip so probably not worth it for most people. From the Big Creek area of the park, follow Big Creek Trail until it changes to Camel Gap Trail after the Walnut Bottom campsites. A half-mile down Camel Gap Trail, Gunter Fork Trail splits to the left. Almost immediately, the trail crosses Big Creek. Do not attempt to cross in high water. After this difficult crossing, there are a total of five crossings of Gunter Fork and one tributary. They're not as hard as Big Creek. The fifth crossing is right at the base of Gunter Fork Falls.

Gunter Fork Lower Waterfall:

There's also a lower waterfall on Gunter Fork and it's rather pretty. If you're making the 16-mile hike to Gunter Fork Falls, might as well stop to see this one too. It's between the third and fourth crossings of Gunter Fork.

Midnight Hole:

Midnight Hole is a 6-foot waterfall on Big Creek that drops into a deep pool. Although the waterfall itself is not that impressive, the pool makes a great swimhole and is very popular in the summer. The water is always cold, however. Midnight Hole can be access from the Big Creek area of the park. Follow Big Creek Trail for about 1.5 miles and the waterfall will be visible from the trail. An obvious path leads down to the base.

Mouse Creek Falls:

Mouse Creek Falls is a scenic 45-foot waterfall where Mouse Creek flows into Big Creek. Follow the directions to Midnight Hole above and continue on Big Creek Trail for about another half-mile to a clearing on the left - Mouse Creek Falls flows into Big Creek opposite the trail. A short scramble leads down to creek level.

Blog Entries:

09-Nov-2019: Gunter Fork Falls

26-Apr-2015: Big Creek Wildflowers

25-Apr-2015: Wildflowers in Harmon Den

External Links:

National Park Service website: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm