About Boogerman Trail (Cataloochee Valley)
Status: the NPS closures page says hiking the Boogerman Trail is not advised because of a deep water crossing. The first foot log, 55 feet long, was washed away by Hurricane Helene, and the crossing is typically more than two feet deep even at low water. The Caldwell Fork Trail, which forms the other half of the usual loop, is closed to all users. Check the page for updates before you go.
The hike
Boogerman Trail is a roughly 4-mile trail through some of the best old-growth forest in the park, with big tulip poplars and hemlocks, and a historic cabin site tied to Robert 'Boogerman' Palmer, who refused to let loggers cut here. It climbs about 870 feet, and with Caldwell Fork Trail it makes a loop of roughly 7 miles when conditions allow.
When to go
Spring and fall are best, and fall color is excellent. Cataloochee is also famous for elk, which are most active at dawn and dusk.
Getting there
Cataloochee Valley is reached from I-40 exit 20 on the North Carolina side by a long, winding road. Plan on a parking tag ($5 daily, $15 weekly, $40 annual) if you will be parked longer than 15 minutes. Federal passes do not substitute for it, and a screenshot will not do; the tag must be displayed in the vehicle.
Know before you go
Pets are not allowed. Elk require 150 feet of distance. Because the trail is remote, tell someone your plan.
Pair it with
Other hikes in the same part of the park:
- Big Creek Trail: an easy walk to Midnight Hole and Mouse Creek Falls
- Mount Sterling Trail: a steep climb to a fire tower
- Little Cataloochee Trail: a quiet walk through old settlement sites
Planning and safety
Plan on a long day and pack accordingly: more water than seems reasonable, real food, a warm layer, a rain shell and a headlamp. Start at first light if you can, and turn around if the weather or your energy changes.
Weather in the Smokies changes fast, and it is noticeably cooler as you climb. Bring a rain layer even on a sunny morning, wear shoes with good traction, and carry more water than you expect to need. Black bears live throughout the park, so stay at least 50 yards away, never feed wildlife and store food properly. The park's hiking safety guidance is worth a read before any trip.
Good to know
- How long is Boogerman Trail (Cataloochee Valley)?
- Boogerman Trail (Cataloochee Valley) is 4 miles one way, with about 870 feet of climbing. It is rated strenuous.
- Are dogs allowed on this trail?
- No. Inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, dogs are allowed only on the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail.
- Do I need a parking tag to hike here?
- A Park It Forward parking tag ($5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year) is required for any vehicle parked more than 15 minutes inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Entry is free, and federal passes such as America the Beautiful do not replace the tag.
