Transportation Information: We operate out of Waynesville and Maggie Valley, North Carolina. We may be able to provide pick up at local area lodges and inns, certain restrictions apply. Otherwise, we arrange for a convenient meeting location in Waynesville. We do not have a store front. Pick up locations are determined upon tour reservation.
Evening Elk Eco-Tour & Sunrise Elk Eco-Tour:Description:
This tour lasts approximately 4 hours. This tour explores the rich natural and cultural history of Cataloochee Valley and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with an emphasis on the elk reintroduction to Cataloochee Valley. You will learn about the Native American Cherokee and the early white settlers to Cataloochee Valley and view some of their historic structures. You will be wildlife viewing the whole time and then enjoy refreshments. On the Sunrise Elk Eco-Tour you will watch the sunrise over the valley floor, or end the evening with sunset overlooking the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains on our Evening Elk Eco-Tour. Tours Available: Year round, weather permitting. Tour Prices: $200 per person $100 per child under 8 years old Two person minimum. Gratuity not included. All major credit cards accepted. Prices subject to change. |
Firefly Night Walk:Description: This tour lasts approximately 4 hours. Journey to our secret location to witness one of the true wonders of nature, the incredible light display of the rare Synchronous Fireflies and Blue Ghosts fireflies. Your guide will lead you on a short walk through the dark of night by flashlight to our secret viewing locations. Timing is everything, so don't miss this dazzling site. The fireflies are only around for approximately 21 days, usually late May and early June. Homemade cookies and milk provided. These tours are extremely popular and usually sell out, so book early. Tours Available: Late May, Early June Tour Prices: $200 per person Three person minimum. Gratuity not included. All major credit cards accepted. Prices subject to change. |
Evening & Sunrise Cataloochee Valley Elk Eco-Tours:
Elk herd feeding in meadow
This tour is available year round, weather permitting. The tour lasts approximately 4 hours and explores the rich natural and cultural history of Cataloochee Valley and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with an emphasis on the Cataloochee Valley elk reintroduction.
*Certain restrictions apply to pick up locations.
Wildlife Viewing
This tour provides for wildlife viewing and stops for photography. The valley floor is approximately 4 miles long situated on a dead end road. Your guide will stop wherever wildlife are present, both entering and exiting Cataloochee Valley. Elk are always present and other possible wildlife sightings include black bears, wild turkeys, coyotes, foxes, bobcats and white-tailed deer. Every tour is truly an adventure.
Historic Structures
There are a handful of historic structures in Cataloochee Valley to see while on tour. Time does not allow to enter the buildings, however your guide will stop by each one for photo opportunities and brief story-telling. You can expect to see beautiful old barns, farm houses, a schoolhouse, and a lovely chapel.
A Walk in the Forest: (optional)
Your guide may lead you on a 1/2 mile round-trip walk that requires crossing a narrow log footbridge over a creek to the former site of the Cataloochee Valley elk acclimation pen. On this walk you will discover the who, what, when, why and how the Cataloochee Valley elk were reintroduced to the Smokies. This is a slow paced walk, stopping along the way to learn about the Cataloochee Valley elk reintroduction. The trail is wide and somewhat rocky, with a slight incline and sometimes wet. We recommend wearing comfortable closed toe shoes. After your stroll through the forest, refreshments are served: bottled water with a variety of sweet and salty snacks like granola bars, trail mix, pretzels and mixed nuts.
A Walk in the Forest: (optional)
Your guide may lead you on a 1/2 mile round-trip walk that requires crossing a narrow log footbridge over a creek to the former site of the Cataloochee Valley elk acclimation pen. On this walk you will discover the who, what, when, why and how the Cataloochee Valley elk were reintroduced to the Smokies. This is a slow paced walk, stopping along the way to learn about the Cataloochee Valley elk reintroduction. The trail is wide and somewhat rocky, with a slight incline and sometimes wet. We recommend wearing comfortable closed toe shoes. After your stroll through the forest, refreshments are served: bottled water with a variety of sweet and salty snacks like granola bars, trail mix, pretzels and mixed nuts.
Cataloochee Overlook
Beautiful Overlook
Your last stop on either the Evening or Sunrise Cataloochee Valley Elk Eco-tour, wraps up at the beautiful Mark Hannah Overlook. Your guide will point out geographic features and conclude the tour with a final bit of poignant story-telling that is hoped to be an inspirational and memorable end to your adventure to see the elk in Cataloochee Valley.
Firefly Night Walks:
These tour lasts approximately 4 hours. We arrange for a convenient pick up meeting location near Waynesville, NC.
Journey to our "secret, remote location" to witness one of the true wonders of nature, the incredible light display of the rare Synchronous Fireflies and the Blue Ghosts. Why do we call it our "secret" location? In a word...preservation. We practice responsible wildlife viewing and part of our mission is to preserve the special habitat for these rare species and leave as small a footprint as possible. We do this by only taking small groups and respectfully ask our guests not to divulge our "secret" viewing locations.
Your guide will outfit you with our specially monogrammed safety vests and a flashlight, then lead you through the dark of night to our "secret" viewing locations. Timing is everything, so don't miss this dazzling phenomenon of nature. The fireflies are only around for approximately 21 days, usually late May and early June. Homemade cookies and milk provided. There is minimal walking involved as we travel to each unique "secret" viewing location by vehicle.
Journey to our "secret, remote location" to witness one of the true wonders of nature, the incredible light display of the rare Synchronous Fireflies and the Blue Ghosts. Why do we call it our "secret" location? In a word...preservation. We practice responsible wildlife viewing and part of our mission is to preserve the special habitat for these rare species and leave as small a footprint as possible. We do this by only taking small groups and respectfully ask our guests not to divulge our "secret" viewing locations.
Your guide will outfit you with our specially monogrammed safety vests and a flashlight, then lead you through the dark of night to our "secret" viewing locations. Timing is everything, so don't miss this dazzling phenomenon of nature. The fireflies are only around for approximately 21 days, usually late May and early June. Homemade cookies and milk provided. There is minimal walking involved as we travel to each unique "secret" viewing location by vehicle.
*Tour dates are subject to change depending on the actual date the fireflies begin & end their flashing. In the past, they have started as early as May 18, and as late as June 6. Please note these are estimated dates, the fireflies determine the actual tour dates. Also note that the weather plays an important role in the life of these sensitive little creatures. Typically, the warmer it is, the earlier in the season they will emerge and start flashing. Once they start flashing, temperatures are an important factor and can cause them to stop flashing. Therefore, under these or other weather related conditions, tours may be canceled. It's all up to Mother Nature.
FAQ:
What is included with the elk eco-tour?
Do you offer private tours?
What do I need to bring?
- Round-trip transportation to/from Cataloochee Valley
- Use of binoculars
- Snack and drink; Sunrise tours include coffee & pastries
Do you offer private tours?
- All of our tours are private.
What do I need to bring?
- camera
- video camera
- comfortable closed-toe shoes
- long sleeve shirt
- long pants
- appropriate jacket/sweater for current weather conditions
- dress in layers
- Yes, advance reservations are required. Our tours are small and private and we book up quickly.
- We operate out of Waynesville and Maggie Valley North Carolina and try to make the pick up location convenient for all guests.
- We do not have a store front. Pick up locations are determined upon tour reservations.
- We Do Not pick up at private residences or Air B&B's, etc.
- Elk tours are suitable for ages 8 and up.
- Firefly tours are suitable for ages 13 and up.
- Child safety seats are required for children under age 8.
- A one person reservation deposit is charged at the time of booking. Balance paid on the day of your tour.
- Reservations canceled more than 72 hours (3 days) in advance of the tour time will be issued a full 100% refund.
- Reservations canceled less than 72 hours (3 days) in advance of the tour time are not eligible for a refund.
- Tours that we cancel due to weather conditions will be given a full refund.
- Our tours typically operate rain or shine. However, it is a challenge to get to Cataloochee on a good day, and in the event of severe weather that we would deem hazardous, tours may be canceled. We monitor the weather carefully and would much rather disappoint you by cancelling your tour than taking you on a disappointing tour. Transporting our guests safely to and from Cataloochee Valley is our number one priority.
- Major Credit Cards/Debit Cards are accepted.
- Electronic payments are made using Square.
- Gratuities are optional, and always appreciated.
- sweet & salty snacks are provided and coffee & pastries on morning tours
- bottled water provided
- you may bring additional food & beverages of your own that are portable, space is limited
- Yes, we usually stop twice, once as we enter the Valley and once on the way out of the Valley.
- We operate 2 Eco-friendly Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Sport Utility Vehicles, Black or similar SUV: Seating configuration: 1 person up front, 3 persons in middle row and 2 persons in third row for larger parties. Please be advised that the third row space is somewhat limited and does require a little extra ability to climb in/out of the vehicle. We generally ask for volunteers to sit in the back.
- We normally do not take more than 4 persons on tour with the exception of our Firefly Tours. We will take larger parties if they are all together in one group or family.
- All tours are non-smoking, non-vaping.
- No pets allowed.