Weekend Trip From Charlotte: Cataloochee Ranch
Nearly a century after its original owners founded this high-country cattle ranch, the mountain getaway reopens as a luxury resort
Hotel staff are supposed to be friendly and accommodating, but it’s more than that at Cataloochee Ranch. These employees seem genuinely excited to be here. It doesn’t hurt when you have fresh mountain air and spectacular views from every angle of the 700-acre property. (It’s also a sign that the management takes good care of its people.) This staff pays attention to details, like which of your kids loves snickerdoodle cookies and where you’ll be when they deliver the fishing rod you forgot to pack.
But there’s another reason why the ranch’s 190 employees are so happy to be here. This place is an important part of Haywood County’s story, and it came through Hurricane Helene with minimal damage. The property was already undergoing renovations to preserve its nearly century-old legacy when the storm hit, and these folks are eternally grateful none of it was destroyed.
The Alexander family opened Cataloochee Ranch in 1933 as a working sheep and cattle farm and overnight destination for tourists visiting the new Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The property became a favorite spot for an upper-class clientele and remained in the Alexander family for three generations. In 2020, David and Annie Colquitt purchased the rustic ranch and gave it a multimillion-dollar revamp. They reopened to guests in March 2024 with beautifully restored log cabins, fine dining, and an event space above the horse barn. The Colquitts continue to add amenities, including an outdoor pool and a full-service spa, which opens this month.
Cataloochee Ranch’s 700-acre property
At a little less than three hours from Charlotte, Cataloochee Ranch sits on a mountaintop along the southeastern border of the national park. It’s a dreamy spot to spend a few days hiking, painting, horseback riding, and fishing—or just curling up by a crackling fireplace with a book and a cup of coffee. The Wi-Fi is spotty, but that’s another part of the appeal—you can ditch your devices and be unreachable. And don’t worry if you forget to take pictures. A front desk employee will insist on taking your photo against the mountainous backdrop at some point during your stay. Take them up on it. When you check out, they’ll present you with a framed 5-by-7-inch photograph to display when you get home.
STAY
Cataloochee Ranch is the sister property of The Swag, the mountain resort in neighboring Waynesville that the Colquitts acquired and renovated in 2011. While The Swag has an adults-only vibe, Cataloochee Ranch is more family-friendly, with plenty of kids exploring the grounds or playing yard games. The property seamlessly mixes the old and new, with exposed trusses, antler chandeliers, and large windows that showcase the mountain views. Guests can choose from 18 unique cabins with one, two, or three bedrooms. Some have fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and mini fridges; many have sleeper sofas or bunk beds for the kiddos. Rooms are cleaned daily and get turndown service with a sweet treat each evening. You’ll find stacks of coffee-table books like Rock the Shack: The Architecture of Cabins, Cocoons, and Hide-outs and Kinfolk: Wilderness, but you won’t see any TVs. All the entertainment you’ll need is outside.
The Haywood cabin (above) is one of the 18 unique cabins. Many cabins are equipped with bunk beds (below).
EAT
The Ranch House is the hub of Cataloochee Ranch and houses Switchback, the on-site restaurant, and Tack Room, the cocktail bar. But first things first. When you check in, the manager gives you a list of breakfast items to choose for the following morning. Just check the boxes beside your desired beverages, pastries, and other light breakfast fare and select the time you’d like it delivered to your cabin. The next morning, everything arrives in a basket on your doorstep. Cataloochee Cookouts are Wednesdays from 5-8 p.m. and include a barbecue buffet. Brunch is available at Switchback on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; lunch is Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Switchback’s menu features Alpine-meets-Appalachian cuisine with hyper-local ingredients. Executive Chef Jeb Aldrich and his team prepare steak, lamb, and duck, as well as wood-fired pizzas. Kids are invited into the kitchen, where they can make their own pizzas with the help of the culinary team. There’s a good chance they’ll return with some of pastry chef Angie Chan’s ranch cookies, so save room.
Kids can create their own pizzas in Switchback’s kitchen (above), while adults enjoy the Alpine-meets-Appalachian menu (below).
PLAY
Choose your own adventure: On-site activities include horseback riding, hiking, ropes courses, archery, ax throwing, fishing, and arts and crafts. Roll up your sleeves and try your hand at watercolors or printmaking in the craft studio below the barn. Schedule a private or group ride and explore the property’s trails on horseback. Challenge yourself to some target practice on the archery range, or unleash some aggression and hurl a few axes. Take a ropes course and soar through the trees on the Cataloochee Challenge Course. Or just park yourself in a rocking chair with a book—nothing is mandatory here. Be sure to check the schedule for live music performances, culinary and cocktail events, and Tales from the Ranch, where local historians share stories about the area around the fire pit.
High Country Experiences include the Cataloochee Challenge Course.
