Cataloochee

Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, former home to 1200 folks before the park was created and they all had to move. 

Townsend may be advertised as the peaceful side of the Smokies but Cataloochee wins the remote award.

The 11 mile narrow gravel road will hopefully weed out all but the serious visitors. Way up and over the ridge and down into the remote secluded valley, hiking trails, a campground, and some old homeplaces and churches. The reward at the end if you are lucky will be watching the majestic elk graze in the grassy fields.