Amazon has updated the ALB and CLB so that customers can continue to use the CORS request with stickness. Cataloochee Valley is nestled among some of the most rugged mountains in the southeastern United States. The road to Great Smoky Mountains Cataloochee entrance is long, winding, and covered in gravel, with steep drop offs and no guard rails. Turn left into the Ghost Town in the Sky parking lot onto Fie Top Road. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile. Tube World is located at the far end of Maggie Valley. You can also go on a fully guided eco-tour withCataloochee Valley Toursto make the most of your elk-viewing experience. The secluded setting offers visitors the ability to enjoy a multitude of recreational activities like hiking and fishing, without the crowds, which are sometimes common in other parts of the park. Barring terrible weather, the animals usually come out into the open fields of the Cataloochee Valley at these times to graze, then return to the wooded areas to rest during the middle of the day. In 2002, the park imported another 27 animals. Most of the parks elk live in the Cataloochee Valley area, on the east side of the park. Yellow ear tags mean it is one of the original elk introduced from the mid west and white tags mean it is one of the original elk introduced from Canada! Males shed theirs every year in autumn, and their horns start growing back around March. It does not store any personal data. Or does anyone suggest a better route from Maggie Valley to Cataloochee Valley? Some of the Elk we saw were also radio-collared, monitored by biologists so they can learn more about the animals movement and life span. Your vehicle is a great option. You must be wondering how we managed to get this shot as we are not allowed to get close to the elk. Cataloochee Valley is nestled among some of the most rugged mountains in the southeastern United States. For more information on Cataloochee, including directions, photos, tips, things to see, hiking trails, and more. To get there from Oconaluftee or Cherokee, take the Blue Ridge Parkway to Highway 19. If you visit the park in spring, look for the wildflowers of the Smoky Mountains. There are often multiple cows, around one Bull. Counting the Elk has become more difficult as they've grown in numbers, and are quickly spreading out. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Rut is mating season for the Elk, and officially beings in mid-September and runs through mid to late October. The BRMTG was created by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett, the award-winning team behind the world-renowned responsible travel website Green Global Travel. There is currently an effort underway to obtain a more accurate count of the Elk in and around the park. Surrounded by 6000-foot peaks, this isolated valley was one of the largest and most prosperous settlements in what is now the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. However, there are no hookups or showers here. In winter only females and calves may be seen in the valleys in the late afternoon. Turn right at red light onto U.S. 19 Southand continue into and through the town of Maggie Valley. The Mountain Farm is basically an outdoor museum. Snow Report . Directions: The entrance road to Cataloochee Valley is a winding, gravel road that has some steep drop offs with no guard rails. Today (2019), some of those Elk, and their offspring are thriving. I've seen elk in BC, Alberta, and the Grand Canyon, but I had no idea I should even look for them in the Smokies! Get more stories delivered right to your email. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces elk, is illegal in the park. Calves remain with their mothers for almost a year, leaving about the time that the next season's offspring are produced. car camping), horse camps, and group campgrounds. Tube World is located at the far end of Maggie Valley. Thanks so much for joining us. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Turn left onto US 276 North (Jonathan Creek Road) Go about six miles and turn left onto Cove Creek Road, the last left turn before coming to I-40 intersection. Calves will be growing quick, and learning how to be adults. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Orange tags mean the elk was born in the Smokies. Getting too close may cause a bull to see you and even your vehicle as a threat. Directions to Cataloochee, NC - MapQuest If you've never heard a Bull Elk bugle in the mountains, it's something you won't soon forget. While Elk seem very friendly, and docile, they are large animals that can be very dangerous. Use the directions below for the quickest routes. It prevents any disease to get into the parks trees. Great Smoky Mountains National Park. By continuing to use our site, you consent to our policies and to our use of cookies. The bugle or mating call of bulls can be heard during the breeding season. This is incorrect and a mapping error that takes you up a dead end private road. Travel time is about 45 minutes to get to the valley from the I-40 exit. Cataloochee Ski Area Driving Directions. By 1900, the population of elk in North America dropped to the point that hunting groups and other conservation organizations became concerned the species was headed for extinction. Zoologist and wildlife photographer. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". As the Elk multiple and spread out from Cataloochee Valley, they inevitably encounter people's homes, and even local mountain towns. Today, thanks to the National Park Service, visitors to the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, can once again hear and see the majestic Elk, thriving in their natural habitat. This cookie is set by Youtube. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, campaign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The Cataloochee Valley areas trails also offer designated backcountry campsitesavailable by permit only. Drive for 11 miles to the Cataloochee Park Entrance Road. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. There are different things to take into consideration before visiting Cataloochee to see the elk, such as weather conditions, elk behavior and ecology. Do not approach elk during rutting season in the fall under any circumstances. Where to See Elk in the Smoky Mountains | Travel For Wildlife The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, campaign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. These roads are incorrect and a mapping error that takes you up a dead end private road and single lane fire roads. Fall: The elk's fall breeding season is known as the rut (begins mid-September). The results of that study should be available soon. Travel 5.8 miles on this narrow, steep, winding, mostly gravel road to the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Elk are ready to mate around 16 months of age. You'll often hear and see the hard clash of antler to antler as Bulls hit their antlers together and try to push each other around, to determine who's dominant. Fortunately this was the case in 2001, when 25 Elk were brought to Cataloochee Valley, and re-introduced in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A large portion of the herd still resides there. This is the perfect time to hear elk bugling: the strange screechy call that males make to proclaim their territory. Maggie Valley, NC 28751. Though she lived in NYC for 14 years, photographer/Business Manager Mary Gabbett's family has Georgia roots dating back 200+ years. Thank you! In 2010 he co-founded the award-winning website, Green Global Travel, which is ranked among the world's top travel blogs. Bull elk actively defend their territory by charging and sparring with competitors using their antlers to intimidate and spar with other males. You can also go on a Cataloochee Valley Elk Tour. When you again reach pavement, turn left and enjoy your easy descent into the valley. Offering COVID-safe activities. Keep reading here to learn more! Bull elk actively defend their territory by charging and sparring with other bull elk. This New Restaurant In North Carolina Is The First Of Its Kind And Youll Want To Visit, Stop_Button Bar + Arcade In North Carolina Is An Adult Playground Come To Life, The One Pristine Inland Beach In North Carolina That Will Make You Swear Youre On The Coast, The Appalachian Trail Runs Through This North Carolina Town And Its The Ultimate Outdoor Playground, If Pasta Is Your Love Language, Youll Be In Heaven At La Casetta Italian Restaurant In North Carolina, The Downhill Tubing Adventure In North Carolina Thats Unlike Any Other, Climb 336 Wooden Steps To The Top Of Crowders Mountain In North Carolina And You Can See All The Way To Charlotte, Try The Ultimate Nighttime Adventure With A Night Paddle At Frog Hollow Outdoors In North Carolina. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Elk herds will commonly be found during this time of the year, out in the fields grazing in the morning and evening. Do not enter fields to view elkremain by the roadside and use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. Join us in June as we journey to our "secret" location to witness the . The Fall Rut Winter in CataloocheeWinter is a quiet time in the valley. An orange tag means the elk was born in the park. Be aware that both the road into Cataloochee Valley, and the Blue Ridge Parkway are often closed during the winter due to hazardous road conditions. The purpose of the cookie is to determine if the user's browser supports cookies. It's really wonderful to watch. Many don't realize it, but Bull Elk shed their antlers each year, and re-grow a new and larger set the following year. Exit on to U.S. 19/23/74 South (exit right at Exit 103). How long have the elk roamed the Smokies? When is the best time of day to spot elk in the Smokies? The initial 52 elk were released and have grown to a herd of over 150 (and counting!). By 1900, the population of elk in North America dropped to the point that hunting groups and other conservation organizations became concerned the species was headed for extinction. There are now at least 150 in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The cookies store information anonymously and assign a randomly generated number to identify unique visitors. These days, youre just as likely to see elk grazing in the fields next to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or in the lowland fields about 1 mile up US 441 from the Visitor Center. Just chillin alone. You'll want to stay out of the fields, maintain the minimum viewing distance, and stay close to something that you can put between you and a Bull, if they decide to walk toward you or charge. Maggie Valley to Cataloochee Valley - best route Guess that means we'll just have to come back in the Fall, huh? This is the best place in the park to see historic frame buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. AWSALB is a cookie generated by the Application load balancer in the Amazon Web Services. Elk Watching - Cataloochee Valley Great Smoky Mountains National Park While few of the original structures remain, this is considered to be North Carolinas "Cades Cove.". You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Elk Antlers are at their largest size, just prior to Rut Season, in August, September and October of each year. Over the past decade, the herd has grown and spread into other parts of the park. Her photos have appeared in numerous travel publications (including National Geographic and Southbound) and various textbooks. Cove Creek is a steep, ten-mile, narrow, curving mountain road. They were eliminated from the region by over-hunting and loss of habitat. 1800 feet of elevation in almost 5 miles, from Cataloochee Valley floor to Balsam Mountain Road. Elk calves remain so still sometimes, that you can walk right up on them and not even see them. For more information on the Blue Ridge Parkway, see our Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Guide. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. SafetyWhen elk are present, federal regulations require that you remain at least 150 feet away and at a distance that does not disturb them. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. Failure to do so can result in fines and/or arrests. The animals are not frightened by humans and can be observed grazing in Cataloochees fields almost any afternoon throughout the year. Created in 1934 and encompassing 522,419 acres,Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in America, attracting more than 10 million travelers each year. But as the Elk continue to reproduce and grow in numbers, while many still are collared, many are not. It is also extremely important not to feed the elk or interact with them in any way. Continue over Soco Gap into the town of Maggie Valley. The cookie also tracks the behavior of the user across the web on sites that have Facebook pixel or Facebook social plugin. It's located near the end of the road past Palmer Chapel and Beech Cove School. For more hikes, see our Smokies Hiking Guide. The most popular Great Smoky Mountains attractions include dynamic mountain landscapes(16 of which are over 6,000 feet tall), rushing North Carolina waterfalls, pastoral mountain streams, and the largest intact forest ecosystem in the southeastern United States. While wonderful to watch and see, it's also the most dangerous time to view the Elk, and the Bulls can often be very aggressive, and mistake visitors as competition of a threat. Parking Program Info. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement". This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 2023 Haywood County Tourism Development Authority, How to plan the perfect girls trip to Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Elk, also called Wapiti, are in the deer family, Cervidae, and are the largest species and native to North America. Cataloochee in the Great Smoky Mountains Turn left at the top of Fie Top Road onto Ski Lodge Road and continue 1 mile to ski area. People come from all around the world to view the re-introduced Elk, and take photos of them. The easiest way to reach Cataloochee Valley is to take 276 North (Jonathan Creek Road) off Highway 19 in Maggie Valley, NC. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. We use cookies on our website to help us make the website function properly, analyze what works and learn where it needs improvement. Reserve online at www.recreation.gov or toll-free at 1-877-444-6777. Directions to Cataloochee, NC Get step-by-step walking or driving directions to Cataloochee, NC. . Continue another 1.7 miles to a paved road and turn left. History of Elk in the Appalachian Mountains, Elk Reintroduced in Cataloochee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 21+ Best Things to Do in Ellijay GA: Experience the Charm. We're the proud home of the Cataloochee Valley, a remote section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This cookie is set by Google. Surrounded by 6000-foot peaks, this isolated valley was one of the largest and most prosperous settlements in what is now the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. TripAdvisor ranks Asheville Hiking Tours as one of Asheville's top tourcompanies! If an Elk changes its behavior due to you, you are too close, and you should back away slowly. Cataloochee - Smoky Mountain National Park Main access is through Cove Creek Road, which is by most dirt/gravel , to get to the valley from I40 , exit at NC exit #20 and go 0.2 miles on route 276, turn right onto Cove Creek Rd and follow signs some 11 miles into the Cataloochee Valley, to get there from Cherokee, take the Blue Ridge Parkway to Hwy 19, follow 19 throu Maggie Valley, turn . During [] The program started with the reintroduction of 25 individuals followed by another 27 in 2002. Calving Season:Late Spring Most of the elk calves in Cataloochee and Western North Carolina are born late May thru June. Take 276 North to U.S. 19 South (turn left at red light at Lake Junaluska). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The road can become treacherous in the snow and is typically closed when the snow is on the peaks around Jonathan Valley. This has been the case for Maggie Valley NC, where you can often both bull and cows wondering around town, near homes and businesses. Cataloochee Valley - Explore Bryson City Unfortunately, the Eastern Elk are extinct. Turn left at the top of Fie Top Road onto Ski Lodge Road and continue 1 mile to ski area. After 0.2 miles, turn right onto Cove Creek Road and follow the signs for about 11 miles into Cataloochee valley. As a visitor to the Cataloochee Valley during rut season, you need to be very cautious. Larry has more than 20 years of experience as a writer and journalist, and has established himself as a leading voice and expert for Blue Ridge Mountains. Bull elk actively defend their territory by charging and sparring with competitors using their antlers to intimidate and spar with other males. 1. Due to overhunting and loss of habitat, as people began moving and living in the mountains, Elk were all but eliminated in the 1700 and 1800s. You are welcome! The antlers, which are rich in calcium, are quickly eaten by rodents and other animals. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. Tube World is located at the far end of Maggie Valley. Elk Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces elk, is illegal in the park. Pro Tip -Be sure to pull over, completely out of the road to allow through traffic to continue. Learn more / driving directions 1 2 3 Elk Watching at Cataloochee Elk once roamed the southern Appalachian mountains and elsewhere in the eastern United States. Join Cataloochee Valley Tours on a guided Eco-tour to one of the best kept secrets in the Great Smoky Mountains -- Cataloochee Valley! Links. Cataloochee Ski Area is located four miles off U.S. 19 above beautiful Maggie Valley, North Carolina and is easily accessed from Interstate-40. Further up from Maggie, between the Maggie Valley exit and the Cherokee exit on The Blue Ridge Parkway, has become another popular area for the Elk, and for people to view them. Even with their smaller size, the Manitoban Elk are the largest animals that live in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Exit on to U.S. 276 South (exit right). He has spent more than 20 years exploring the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and has a deep passion for nature, history, storytelling, and adventure. For additional directions or assistance call: 1-800-768-0285 or (828) 926-0285. Elk in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cataloochee Valley Tours. The prime time to spot these majestic creatures is around sunset and sunrise. Autumn is arguably the best time to visit the Great Smoky Mountains. In Winter,elk are less visible and it is likely that the road to Cataloochee is closed due to snow anyway. Hike 8/10-mile on the Pretty Hollow Gap to Little Cataloochee Trail (to the right). Take 276 North to U.S. 19 South (turn left at red light at Lake Junaluska). We are zoologist Cristina Garcia and conservation biologist Hal Brindley, a husband and wife team who travel the world in search of great wildlife watching destinations. Blue Ridge Mountains Discover the Beauty, Wheelchair/Disabled Accessible Waterfalls, Elk in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Cataloochee Elk Viewing near Maggie Valley Some 1,200 people lived in this lovely mountain valley in 1910. Visitors will often find Park Rangers, and Park Volunteers in the area, both protecting the Elk, keeping people safe, and willing to answer questions. In 2002, another 27 Elk were brought in, bringing the total to 52. For directions and more information about the elk of Cataloochee Valley, stop by the Haywood County Visitor Center at 1110 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley for your free guide. Many centuries ago, a number of species of Elk existed, both in North America, and other continents. Viewing the ElkMost elk are located in the Cataloochee Valley area in the southeastern section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I had been to Cades Cove, Clingmans Dome, Cosby, driven the 39-mile Foothills Parkway that few seem to know about, Fontana Dam, Roaring Fork, and Greenbrier. Click on the icon below for Google map directions. AWSALB is a cookie generated by the Application load balancer in the Amazon Web Services. In 2001, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the National Park Service and other partners joined together to restore wild elk to the Smoky Mountains in the Cataloochee Valley near Maggie Valley. In addition to certain standard Google cookies, reCAPTCHA sets a necessary cookie (_GRECAPTCHA) when executed for the purpose of providing its risk analysis. Take the Interstate highway I-40. Dominant bulls use the fields to gather and breed with harems of up to 20 cows. Take U.S. 441 South to U.S. 19 North (Maggie Valley). Summer Fall Rut Winter Calm History of Elk in the Appalachian Mountains This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is set by addthis.com to determine the usage of Addthis.com service. Take U.S. 441 South to U.S. 19 North (Maggie Valley). Cataloochee Valley Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tube World is not located at the ski area. Should we just follow the directions on the NPS website (follow 19 through Maggie Valley, take Highway 276N, and then turn by a gas station just before the entrance ramp to I-40). Turn onto US-19 and proceed through Maggie Valley to Cherokee. Hiking There are several hiking trails in Cataloochee Valley. Giving them a second chance. Cataloochee Valley Guide - Explore the History and Beauty Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park today, its easy to see why they chose the location. Rut Season is the most exciting time to come see the Elk. Box 509Bryson City, NC 28713, Order a free Visitor Guide featuring Bryson City and the North Carolina Smokies. He has spent more than 20 years exploring the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and has a deep passion for nature, history, storytelling, and adventure. What is the best route for us to take? RomanticAsheville.com Travel Guide | Contact Us About Listing Your Business, Cataloochee Valley & Elk, Great Smoky Mountains, See our Great Smoky Mountains Hiking Guide, See our Great Smoky Mountains Camping Guide, Great Smoky Mountains Park Vacations in NC, Oconaluftee Center & Mountain Farm Museum, Great Smokies, Deep Creek Tubing & Waterfalls, Great Smoky Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains Waterfalls, North Carolina. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The road to Great Smoky Mountains' Cataloochee entrance is long, winding, and covered in gravel, with steep drop offs and no guard rails. You'll want to follow these simple safety tips (do NOT be the guy in the photo, he's WAY too close): Small numbers, like the initial 25, and then 27 Elk introduced into the park, are susceptible to disease. Both are amazing to observe and hear. READ MORE: 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in NC & VA, Bret Love; photos by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett unless otherwisenoted. During the rut season, male elk present the biggest antlers and it is during this time of year when bulls challenge one another while fighting for dominance of a territory and females. Growing Season: Summer The herd can often be seen grazing in fields. Welcome to Travel For Wildlife! The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages visted in an anonymous form. From I-40, take exit 20 in North Carolina and travel 0.2 miles on route 276 before turning right on Cove Creek Road. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Visiting is an experience you won't soon forget. A professional writer/editor since 1995, he's covered travel and culture for 100+ publications, including American Way, Destination Marriott, Georgia Travel Guide, National Geographic, and Southbound. Failure to do so can result in fines, arrest, or even harm from the animal itself. Little Cataloochee Trail: For a six-mile hike (one-way) past more historic buildings, including the Little Cataloochee Baptist Church, start at the group campsite near the Beech Grove School. All Rights Reserved. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages visted in an anonymous form. The Elk though, are big, and while during the day they are often in the cool and shady woods, in the mornings and evenings, they'll come out into the open fields to graze, where they are easily seen and enjoyed. A trip to Cataloochee in the fall during rut season is an interesting and exciting experience. They offer the guided Evening Elk Eco-Tour or a Sunrise Elk Eco-Tour, offered year-round weather permitting. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. These cookies are set via embedded youtube-videos. It is also illegal to remove elk antlers or other elk parts from the park. During the hot parts of the day they hide in the forest and are not easy to view. Cove Creek Road is accessible from Jonathan Creek Road, exit 20 off I-40 near Maggie Valley NC. The initial 52 elk that were released have grown to a herd of almost 200. During Rut, males (bulls) can often perceive people as a threat or competition to their territory or females. Take the Interstate highway I-40. It does not store any personal data.