The Gentle Revival of Maggie Valley’s Cataloochee Ranch
Words by Marianne Leek
Photos By Ben Finch
Cataloochee Ranch is perched on Fie Top Mountain along the southeastern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 4,800 feet above Maggie Valley, North Carolina. There, clouds hang like curls of blue smoke among the surrounding mountains and seem to seep into the valley’s crevices below. A large spring-fed fishing pond takes center stage on the property, flanked by Hemphill Bald, where the ranch’s horses and cattle can be seen lazily grazing along the hillside meadows. Hundred-year-old spruce pines stand like sentries, dwarfing eleven original cabins that have been carefully restored to preserve the timber-and-stone characteristics of the early 1930s. The raw beauty of Cataloochee Ranch is an organic amalgamation of storied history and modern comfort.
The making of a mountain retreat
For almost a century, it’s been an outdoor sanctuary for families and adventure seekers alike, with horseback riding, hiking, and fishing always on the itinerary. Initially established within the boundaries of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cataloochee Ranch was the inception of Tom and Judy Alexander and the park’s first superintendent, who offered to lease “Mr. Tom” an old homestead where he could lead hiking, fishing, and pack trips for park visitors. While wildly successful, Alexander soon became disillusioned with the constraints of the park system and temporarily relocated to Florida to return to a career in forestry. However, suffering from what his grandchildren later described as “mountain fever,” Alexander returned to western North Carolina in 1938 and purchased 600 acres on Fie Top Mountain for $1 per acre. Working alongside locals, Tom and Judy Alexander built Cataloochee Ranch and established it as a beloved retreat for generations of families.
Today, Cataloochee Ranch consists of 825 acres, with much of it held in conservation easements. Purchased from the Alexander family in 2020 by David and Annie Colquitt, the property has been thoughtfully renovated to reflect the ranch’s rich history while adding additional lodging, modern amenities, and enriching experiences. In 2024, the property reopened as a Relais & Châteaux member and soon after earned a DarkSky designation, the first of its kind on the East Coast. To the Colquitts, the decision to pursue a DarkSky designation was intuitive. “There’s something truly amazing about going outside and looking up at the stars,” Colquitt says. “It’s about creating a sense of awe and wonder and appreciating the beauty of the natural world. It just fits into the mission of this place.”
More than a place to stay
From the moment you arrive, the attention to detail of the Colquitts, the confluence of the past and present, and the genuine kindness of the people who work at the ranch are immediately apparent. “When David and I travel, we love those authentic and intimate experiences that are a true reflection of the people and culture and give you a deep sense of place,” Annie explains. “We want guests to experience the culture of western North Carolina, the Smoky Mountains, and Appalachia. The ranch has been here for generations, and there are layers and layers of stories. The cuisine, the activities, and even the art on the walls—everything should pull you back into that sense of place.”
The Colquitts have seamlessly integrated the core values of “Ms. Judy” Alexander’s Virginia-rooted hospitality with their own meaningful brand of excellence. Annie Colquitt believes it’s all interconnected: “This is a place where people have really rich memories. We have some families who came here as kids and continue to visit year after year, people who have brought pictures of themselves enjoying the ranch with Ms. Judy and Mr. Tom. Cataloochee Ranch has always been a multigenerational place, where grandparents, parents, and children can come, and that’s something we are absolutely trying to preserve.” Colquitt believes hospitality goes even deeper: “Taking care of our guests is so important, but I would say equally important is for our staff to have a fulfilling and positive work environment where people treat each other with respect and kindness. I know it influences how they treat each guest.”
A return to simpler pleasurers
Because of its proximity to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Nantahala River, Cherokee, Bryson City, Waynesville, and Asheville, Cataloochee Ranch is the perfect base camp for all your outdoor activities. But perhaps the most valued amenity of the ranch is that you can have an immersive, analog adventure, where you are encouraged to slow down, relax, and enjoy the wonder of it all without ever having to leave the property.
There are miles of hiking trails to explore, along with horseback riding, UTV excursions, and even a waterfall-crossing ropes adventure course. You can feed the herd, test your archery skills, learn the basics of roping, participate in an expert-led stargazing session, and get a virtual hole-in-one at the golf saloon. There’s a state-of-the-art fitness center with enough yoga mats for your entire girl gang. Try your hand at the pottery wheel, forage for foliage to create a colorful monoprint, or hand-tool your own monogrammed leather coasters. Book a time at the hat bar and customize a Stetson. And there’s a regular rotation of special activities available, including a watercolor class at the top of Hemphill Bald. But if you just need an afternoon of self-care, a range of treatments is available at the Massage Room at Hayloft or The Still at Cataloochee’s sister property, The Swag.
Colquitt, a self-described “grandmillennial,” enjoys the act of creating—crafting, knitting, and painting. Her love of creativity is reflected in many of the activities offered at the ranch. “It’s a place for people and families to gather, for grandparents to show their grandchildren. We don’t have TVs or clocks in the room, and that’s intentional,” Colquitt says. “Obviously, everyone has a phone, and we have internet. However, we hope that when you come here, you feel a different pace of life—an older pace of life—something that takes you back to a time where we were a little less online, a little less on screens—and simply slow down more and spend time together. There’s a real need in our world right now for human connection, not digital connection. And I think it’s a gift for families to realize not only are their kids welcome here, but they can run around, get outside, play, and get dirty.”
There are communal spaces around the property that beckon guests to gather. With fireplaces, outdoor firepits, and spots to prep drinks and snacks, each area has been carefully curated and includes table games, vintage board games, and books. And if it’s that time of year, televisions to watch the big game are available upon request.
Colquitt has handpicked each book available on the property. You’ll find a collection of yellow- and blue-bound Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books, dog-eared Newbery Medal winners from your childhood, some saucy Western romances, and Louis L’Amour cowboy classics. Like everything at the ranch, there’s intentionality behind Colquitt’s selections: “I have three categories,” she explains. “It’s a total secret; they’re not labeled. They are ‘Should Have Been a Cowboy,’ which includes old Western books; ‘Mama, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,’ an eclectic mix of childhood classics; and ‘Cowboy, Take Me Away,’ Western romance novels. I wanted it to be nostalgic”, she says.
The flavor of the mountains
Located in what used to be the property’s old sheep barn, Switchback is a stunning on-site farm-to-table restaurant where chef Jeb Aldrich serves up reimagined Appalachian favorites with a French flair. Both ends of the restaurant are a visual feast. At the west end, a massive fireplace area opens to a patio overlooking the pond, cottages, barn, and surrounding mountains. It’s ideal for enjoying your morning coffee or sipping a cocktail at golden hour. The east end has floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that frame a stone patio overlooking the Plott Balsams and the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor. Breakfast at Switchback is included with your stay, and the Ranch Breakfast or biscuits and gravy are an easy choice. For lunch, be sure to try the award-winning smashburger. Dinners at Switchback are truly something to savor. Start with sourdough focaccia and a winter greens salad. Choose from a selection of mains, including Sunburst Farms trout, Dry-Aged Rohan duck, or prime beef filet, all served with locally sourced seasonal vegetables. Enjoy a wine tasting at The Tack Room or a pint of Frog Level Brewing’s Cataloochee Palomino Blonde Ale, available exclusively at the ranch. If you visit between March and October, Aldrich’s Wednesday evening Cataloochee Cookout is a win for the entire family and features a sampling of barbecue favorites—from Cataloochee smoked pork butts to beef skewers on Cowboy Cauldron.
Colquitt says she’s committed to partnering with local farmers, vendors, and businesses. Annie can’t imagine running the ranch any other way: “Obviously, we are focused on high standards of service and culinary excellence, but it’s more than that. We value preserving local cuisine and local forms of hospitality.”
East Fork pottery dinnerware is in constant rotation at Switchback, and guests can purchase a Cataloochee edition of the East Fork mug at the Mercantile. Seasonal produce is grown locally by the Culinary Gardener. In-room soap and shampoo are made by Hazelwood Soap Company; Waynesville’s Axe and Awl provides leather for the leather-working classes and makes several Cataloochee accessories, including the key chain and “Hold Your Horses” door hanger. Other western North Carolina brand partnerships include Frog Level Brewing, Orchard Coffee, and Sunburst Trout. Honey is harvested from hives on the property, and most of the beef is ranch raised.
Guests can look forward to various seasonal activities, from wine tastings and live music against a fiery fall backdrop to Christmas cookie classes and bedtime stories with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Inspired by ranch cofounder Judy Alexander, Cataloochee Ranch continues to offer Cowgirl Camp, organized by women to celebrate both mountain culture and th feminine spirit. Lauded as a safe space for women of all skill levels, it is led entirely by women and includes horseback excursions, culinary workshops, square dancing, arts and crafts, and opportunities to bond through guided hikes and fireside chats. Recently, the ranch launched a Cowgirl Camp exclusively for mothers and daughters, featuring tea parties and kids-only art sessions. The property expanded significantly in 2026, adding two new lodges, Horseback and Quilt Top, as well as The Spring, an impressive pool deck with panoramic mountain views.
The Colquitts lead with gratitude; the opportunity to carry on the legacy of the ranch is not lost on either of them. “It just feels like such a privilege to get to do this, to have the opportunity to steward this property at this moment in time. To give kids an appreciation of nature, a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the world we live in, is such a gift,” Colquitt says.
“I love this mountain. I love the history of this place, and it’s an honor to carry that on, to add to the story and legacy of the Alexander family. Those stories need to be told. Those names need to be remembered. That’s why we’re doing this,” Colquitt explains. “Creating those special moments for families and kids—that brings us such joy.”
