Smoky Mountain News

Cataloochee Valley, a popular section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Haywood County, finally has restrooms.

Cataloochee Valley offers a historical representation of an early mountain community with farmhouses, cemeteries, a church and school house. It also has numerous trails, fishing and — as home to the park’s elk herd — excellent wildlife viewing.

Despite heavy visitation, the site only had port potties. It now has three permanent restrooms at different points in valley with a rustic design that looks like an old-fashioned outhouse. Each structure has two vault-style toilets, one for men and one for women.

The park service also removed built up bat droppings from the historic chapel and gave it a fresh coat of paint.