The road in is not for the timid. There is a unpaved section thats full of potholes, but still navigable by cars. The unnerving part - its 1 1/2 lanes with multiple blind curves and no guardrail. But its very much worth the trip. Keep going past the overlook into the valley. There are several historic buildings. Regretfully we didnt arrive with enough time to explore but they appeared to be well kept. If youre in the valley early morning or late afternoon, youll see elk. They are used to tourists so you see them fairly close. There were volunteers and park rangers there to make sure people didnt intrude on the herds safe zone and to answer questions.

Kind of an out of your way drive that only seemed to lead to here, but it’s a fun drive with beautiful scenery. The views are worth taking some time to just hang out and enjoy. The colors are just beginning to really show...maybe another 10 days or so before it’s loaded with color.

I have bad knees and a bad back but this was worth it to me. I can imagine a more peaceful place Ive ever seen. Seriously, go up and see this. Be careful though! Those dirt roads are narrow and twisty!

Beautiful little spot to overlook the Cataloochee valley. Leaves were pretty when we were there and are probably even more colorful now. It is an adventure to get there but that is part of the fun. Take the drive you will enjoy it.

Beautiful scenery, perfect spot to stop during a trip to take some pictures an spend some time contemplating nature.

Great views. Normally not very crowded. You may catch a glimpse of photographer or someone painting the scenery. Short paved steep walk, bur great panorama.

Spectacular view once we git through the harrowing logging road.

WELL not worth our time...the road getting there is winding and graveled, you will need a vehicle that will be ok on bumps and washed out areas due to all the rain this time of yr...the outlook is over grown in places, there is a small trail up a rocky knoll off parking lot that you can get better views, but not much difference from straight off sidewalk fenced area...hiking all around area...lots of dog lovers walking their dogs on leashes...my personal experience was not worth my time, when I could spend it some place else with better scenic capabilities...May your outlook be a better one than mine...The SmithClan

The roads are not the best but its worth going here to see the elk and all the old places...

Nice overlook just off the cataloochee entrance road. Definitely continue on into the cataloochee valley. Paved road most of the way into the valley. All the gravel is at the beginning of the drive. Many trails at the end of the road.

The view was awesome but its a long trek back there on 4 mile narrow curvy gravel road. 39 minutes on GPS.

The best place in the park. Great hiking, elk, bears and old home sites. Visit, Visit & Visit.

Incredible view. Very short paved sidewalk up an incline. Definitely worth the minute to walk up to see and take a pic.

Great stop to admire the view. What’s not to love it’s the mountains! This side of the park really needs some love and attention. It’s a great park but the money is used in TN more then this side and it shows! It’s a shame this has awesome potential. The roads are crazy and dangerous on this side of the park too. They are one lane on mountain sides all gravel. It is the peaceful side of the smokies not a lot of tourist but the roads I’d say are why. It’s was a great place just really really far out in the middle of nowhere. I suggest going through Cherokee to get here.

Attempted to view sunset from this spot. We were a bit late and we ended up catching the tail end of it. It was fun to explore the overlook. Certainly worth stopping if in the area. There is a winding path that takes you to a higher elevation.

Amazing views of the mountains

Was not impressed. Hard dirt, narrow, blind curves w/ alot of traffic.

Wonderful views. Always stop here on the way down to the valley to look at the elk.

The road to get up there was HORRIBLE! The views are spectacular.

This place offers a great view of the Great Smoky Mountains. But the drive here is very challenging. Make sure that you have a very good driver and do not drive there when its about to get dark soon.

Beautiful place, many elks can be seen.

Beautiful area....lots of sights to see. The best one for us was to turn the corner and see huge elk. We were able to stop and take some photos of them....enjoy!

Beautiful and safe family fun!

The day I went the mountains were Smoky just like they are suppose to be! Just prefect

Beautiful views, West facing so great for sunsets.

Amazing views but traffic can be horrid

Beautiful views!!!

Tough getting there, but the colors and the Elk are worth it.

Awesome experience, highly recommend but give yourself enough time to explore both top and bottom of the mountain.

One of the most unique and interesting places in the park. - BUT not to easy to access. Long drive from the normal Gburg area and a pretty tricky road up and over the mountain to get there. Good thing we were in the trusty Outback! Elk were out as well a few turkeys.

Beautiful little valley to watch the elk but really way out of the way

Besides Clingmans Dome lookout, this was one of the best lookout spots for this side of the park. theres benches atop the lookout spot, plenty of parking, and a cool spot to stop driving and take a long break.

Perfect view to enjoy the end of the day

THIS is a must go! Awesome wildlife and some GORGEOUS mountain views!!

The view with the leaves changing was breath taking!

Nice veiw, but the best part was the drive up the narrow winding road. It is almost like an off road trail, experienced driver recommend.

Beautiful place with breath taking views.

Beautiful place...like going back in time. Elk are worth the trip. Will be going back for more pictures!

Good viewing of elk. Bathrooms not in good condition.

It has amazing views

Love this place!

Beautiful part of the Smoky Mountains.

It was wonderful beautiful elk.

Beautiful sites to be seen

Beautiful scenery with green forest and wildflowers

While this is a beautiful overlook of the Cataloochee Valley, its quite a trek to get here. Be aware that its all dirt roads, drop offs, and switch backs to get into the parks Cataloochee entrance. Set aside several hours for the drive in/out of the park.

Breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains.

Beautiful view Gods creation is awesome

Place is good. But, there is no road, too curve, scary to ride for last few miles. Better, families will not go there.

Out of the way overlook outside the popular elk viewing areas.

Scary rd but once you get there its just beautiful

This is a spectacular place to camp & view wildlife. It is rural & there are no showers at cataloochee campground but everything else is very clean and they have a great campsites. Elk come through every night which was always nice to see. They are pretty determined to get your food. There are a variety of hiking trails for different skill levels and challenges. Drive to the valley at dusk to see loads of elk come down. Did not see any bear. Most of the trails are very family-friendly. Highly recommend staying here. Make sure to load your map to your phone ahead of time. You will not have cell phone reception. That being said everything is very well marked. There is approximately a 10 mile dirt road that was in overall great shape this time of year. There are some pot holes but I had no problem driving it with my Lexus. The road narrows at one point and if you have a camper I can see there may be a challenge on curves, if there was another vehicle coming the other way.

SO much to see and experience out here! This area should definitely be on your top 10 list of fall driving destinations!

One of my favorite places nice views good fishing and hiking

One of my favorite places

Love Cataloochee. This is my third visit here, the first two visits I saw elk. It is beautiful, very hard to get it but worth it.

A breathtaking view of the mountains around the Cataloochee Valley. A great spot to take a photo of a lifetime.

Beautiful view

How beautiful this place is

Love seeing the wildlife

The drive to this overlook is a bit treacherous, but totally worth it. Offers a panoramic view of the valley, with mountains in the background, offering a picturesque vista.If you do keep going further down the road after this overlook, there is a good chance youll get to spot some elk too!

Beautiful view of the valley

The trees were showing off their beautiful colors today

Gods beautiful creation!!

So beautiful! Great park with good trails.

Drive up to the stairs and it is about a ten second walk up to the scenic view. Must go here to take a picture!! If you are in the Valley there are majestic elk and wild turkeys. There are old homes and schools and a graveyard from the 1800s. Extremely beautiful and haunting. Highly recommended.

Gorgeous Autumn views throughout. We saw elk close the road in the valley.

Made a stop here while visiting Maggie Valley, NC great view during on if our rides in our Slingshot

Beautiful view

Beautiful view. And quiet.

It is a drive for sure to get there. It will make you second guess yourself. But so worth it. we were there on 12/28 We saw two herds in the park and one on the drive out. Somewhere between 60 and 0 total.

Clean, great place

Beautiful view

30 minute, 11 mile drive on a winding dirt road but what a payoff when you get there. Read up on it and go.

What a view. Never gets old for me.

Love this place.

Beautiful place, lots of elk! Absolutely loved it!!

Beautiful view...even in the rain!

One of the hidden gems that the Smokies have to offer its visitors! Beautiful mountain views, a great place to escape for an afternoon, see the elk, and take a step back in time!

Ive lived in the foothills of NC my entire life. This was my first visit but will definitely not be my last. Beautiful!!

Never made it. Directions took me us to the trailhead. Def going to find it next time!! The pics look amazing & we loved the drive. We have a 4x4 pick up, so the more treacherous the better for us. After seeing pics & going to the trailhead, I still give this 4 stars cause it looks amazing!

Driving up and over the mtn was a bit scary at times but so worth it getting to the valley and seeing some elk.

Wild turkeys. Herds of elk. Beautiful trails. Whats not to love about this place!

Was a very serene place, nice to see it being preserved. Quite a drive into the park area but worth seeing

When we visited Smoky mountain to see fall color in October 2017, we got the most stunning view of colors at Cataloochee Valley Overlook! The overlook, along with the road to that spot was full of different colors! Its an unforgettable memory for us!

Cool

Great place to stop on your way into the valley. Theres also a placard to read!

Beautiful overlook of the surrounding scenery...

Always so beautiful.

Cataloochee is not for the faint of heart to actually get there.....narrow, very curvy, gravel most of the way. But once you get there and actual see the elk come out it is so worth it.....until you have to go back down, hopefully in daylight...lol

Beautiful views over the Valley below

Awesome views, well worth the stop on the way to the valley!!

Gods Country, absolutely stunning!

Beautiful photos to be taken here.

I found this place by searching the map on my phone. Its a little nerve wracking getting there on the narrow and winding, unpaved road but its worth it. And if you continue further onto the paved road, there are historical buildings and an empty homestead that are very interesting. Also, if you want to see elk, this is the place to view them! I found it a bit odd that the paving trucks and equipment drove over the narrow roads to get to the top to pave a road, but I wasnt complaining!

Just another hidden gem in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Unexpected rainbow stretching across the valley this morning. Oh how I love this place!

Great place to see Elk. Little bit of a rough gravel ride to get there, but well worth it. Go early morning or right at dusk for best chance to see the elk.

Little scary of a drive. But once you get there it is beautiful.

Amazing except road to get there is horrific and no picnic tables.