Cataloochee Ranch: Giddy Up To Rustic Luxury In The Smokies While Helping Hurricane Relief

Editor’s note: After the devastation from Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, Cataloochee Ranch was largely spared from damage and is now open for business with a tremendous incentive for guests that will aid hurricane recovery efforts. During the month of October, Cataloochee Ranch, along with sister resort The Swag, will donate 100 percent of revenue (not just profits) from overnight stays and dining at both properties to help recovery throughout the region. More details below on this recent announcement; in short, now is a great time to discover the “new” Cataloochee Ranch.

The area’s newest Relais & Chateaux resort

A unique getaway awaits in the high country of North Carolina. Picture a wonderfully inviting Ranch House and beautiful cabins featuring Appalachian timber and stonework, set among the meadows and wooded hills along the border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Add in luxury amenities, gourmet cuisine and mountain adventure – and you have the newly refurbished Cataloochee Ranch.

Situated at 5,000 ft. elevation just outside of Maggie Valley, the longstanding Cataloochee Ranch changed hands in 2020. New owners Annie and David Colquitt, proprietors of neighboring resort The Swag, have revitalized the property with a complete renovation and expanded offerings. Elevating the guest experience while preserving authentic elements of the ranch, the Colquitts reopened Cataloochee in March 2024, as a Relais & Chateaux resort.

You’ll find long-range views, trail rides and western saddles, but not your typical cowboy vibe, as Cataloochee is more of a high-country retreat, a peaceful destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts. With many ways to experience the ranch, one could say that Cataloochee offers the best of both worlds for guests. After all, where else can you ride a horse over the mountain to your spa appointment for a massage or facial?

Looking back

Cataloochee Ranch began accommodating guests in 1933, and was owned by the Alexander family for generations. It’s referred to as the “Original Smoky Mountains Ranch,” because it was the first commercial tourism establishment catering to park visitors.

My family and I stayed at Cataloochee Ranch 25 years ago, which at the time, I found to be charming, yet seemingly undiscovered and with unreached potential. I remember the genuinely rustic but comfortable cabins, casual dining, and open fields at our doorstep. So, earlier this year I was especially excited to return with my daughter and experience the new enhancements.

Exploring the property

Cresting the last hill of Fie Top Road, you’ll pass through the classic log archway signaling your arrival at the ranch and setting the tone for fun adventure or relaxation, as you choose. Check-in is at the Ranch House, a seamless extension of the original barn, flanked by flagstone porches and patios, outdoor fireplaces, and firepits on the lawn. It’s the place to linger for mountain views, as well as headquarters for signature cocktails at the new Tack Room lounge and dining at Switchback Restaurant. Just down the hill lies the fishing pond and goat habitat. The horse barn is perched near the ranch entrance, and a chic new event space was created above the stalls, aptly called The Hayloft.

A dozen cabins with one, two, or three bedrooms dot the landscape, some clinging to the hillside with mountain vistas and others overlooking the pond. The cabins are thoughtfully restored, preserving the original log structures with the addition of modern amenities. Each is individually designed in a contemporary, farmhouse-chic style, featuring ranch-themed artwork by local artists. All have porches or decks, and special features in some cabins include a gas fireplace, soaking tub, heated bathroom floor and exposed log beams. We loved the large deck overlooking the pond at our cabin called Palmer, which also features a walk-in shower with a picture window that gives the feeling of being in the woods.

Cataloochee Ranch is currently building a lodge across from the Ranch House that will consist of six luxury suites, slated to open in 2025. Also under construction are an onsite spa, a pool, and a wine cellar built into the hillside. Other plans in the works are planting a large kitchen garden and raising beef cattle.

High adventure and haute cuisine

Group and private horseback rides are offered across the ranch and in the national park, and there is the option to ride over to The Swag for the delightful cookout lunch at Gooseberry Knob, or for a spa treatment at their spa, The Still. (While the spa at Cataloochee Ranch is under construction, guests may enjoy spa amenities at the sister resort.)

Besides horseback riding, optional activities include guided hiking, fishing, arts and crafts, archery, and axe-throwing. There is also an adventure course to traverse the treetops by way of zip-lines, tightropes and tipsy whiskey barrels. The ranch is situated next to Cataloochee Ski Area, so in winter, guests can incorporate a ski vacation.

At Switchback Restaurant, the culinary team led by Chef Jeb Aldrich serves up a memorable dining experience with fresh and creative dishes and an extensive wine list. Chef calls it “ranch cuisine reimagined” – steaks, chops and fish elevated with a European-alpine influence, yet rooted in southern and Appalachian tradition. Menu selections are made with seasonal ingredients, sourced locally when possible and frequently cooked on open flame.

One night, we had our best steak ever – delightfully crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside. We also enjoyed a special Chef’s Dinner served on the patio that included a wine-paired, multi-course feast. We dined with several local patrons who frequently attend special culinary events at the ranch including Wednesday evening cookouts, wine tastings, Sunday Brunch, and music with the Hitch Food Truck. Themed events are offered regularly and open to the public. Reservations necessary.

Cataloochee Ranch lends itself to exploring and enjoying the beautiful surroundings whether in nature, at dinner Alfresco, or in a cozy corner of your accommodation, aided by friendly staff and excellent service. As word-of-mouth spreads of the new Cataloochee, I believe it won’t be undiscovered for long.

Cataloochee Ranch Pledges Support to Hurricane Recovery

“As grateful as we are for the safety of our staff and the properties, we recognized the immense privilege and subsequent responsibility to help those less fortunate in our immediate communities and beyond.

• Upon reopening, 100 percent of revenue (not just profits) from October stays and dining at both properties will be donated to local recovery efforts. While supporting rebuilding, it also supports our local farmers and suppliers who desperately need to sell their crops and services to keep their businesses afloat.
• Additionally, owners Annie and David Colquitt will donate $1,000 per employee to the 501c3 of their choosing to aid in recovery efforts. Right now that total stands at 198 staff members, including the Experts-in-Residence, which will lead to $200,000 in immediate donations.
• Over the next year, the Colquitts have personally committed $2 million in donations to active recovery efforts in addition to the above efforts.”

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Ann Yungmeyer is a freelance writer. Read more of her work at annyungmeyer.wordpress.com