$30 / night

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Nature

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Roads

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Facilities

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Activities

Established Camping

Big Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

13 Reviews

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

Bear activity is especially high during May-August. Visitors may experience a higher likelihood of bear encounters this time of year.

About

State Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Overview

Big Creek Campground is located in a remote portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Backcountry camping in a front country setting. There are flushing toilets and potable water. This is a tent only campground with a short walk from the parking area. The beautiful flowing waters of Big Creek parallel the campground offering the visitor a pleasant soundscape and peaceful beauty. Big Creek is an oasis for hiking, swimming, wildlife, fishing, and relaxation.__

Recreation

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks. The Big Creek area offers some of the most challenging hikes within the Park. Baxter Creek trail begins near the campground and with an elevation gain of 4200' from trail head to the summit of Mt Sterling provides a strenuous work out for the strongest of hikers. The nearby Big Creek trail offers a pleasant hike along the waters of Big Creek with a beautiful waterfall along the way. Local anglers agree that Big Creek offers some of the best trout fishing in the area. Fly fishing is particularly good during spring months when aquatic insects hatch in large numbers. Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 black bear living in the park, it is not uncommon for visitors to spot one. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.

Facilities

Big Creek Campground offers 12 TENT ONLY campsites for a traditional outdoor camping experience with the added convenience of flush toilets and drinking water. There are no hookups or showers at the campground. There is an emergency phone available at the Big Creek Ranger Station located 1 mile from the campground. No generator use or recreational vehicles are allowed in Big Creek Campground. There is a food storage locker available for public use.

Natural Features

Located at an elevation of 1,700' Big Creek Campground is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges and a pristine mountain stream. Black Bear sightings are not uncommon and some lucky visitors may spot River Otter playing in Big Creek.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby attractions include the Cataloochee Valley, Newport, TN, Cosby Campground, Hartford Whitewater Rafting, the Appalachian Trail and the Max Patch/Pisgah National Forest.

contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (423) 487-2683.

Fee Info

<p>Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Customers that check out early or do not plan to use their reservation MUST contact the campground office the day they leave or are due to check in, in order to receive a refund. Refund requests for early departure or non use of the site made AFTER the reservation has ended will be denied. Office phone numbers are given in the Facility Contact information for each campground.</p>

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Location

Big Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in Tennessee

Directions

Campground is at the end of Big Creek Entrance Rd. Waterville, NC, 28785 (Haywood County) The campground is located off I-40 Exit 451 (Waterville). It sixteen miles east of Newport, TN. Follow Waterville road, crossing over the Pigeon River, past the Walters Power Generating Station and continue one mile to the 4-way intersection at Mt Sterling Gap.__ __Follow the signs to Big Creek. GPS coordinates are 35__45'00.3"N 83__06'38.6"W The 4 way intersection is composed of Big Creek Campground Road and Waterville Rd (from I-40) + Mt. Sterling Road (from Cataloochee) + Hwy 32 (from Cosby) Drive up to the end of Big Creek Entrance Road. You will pass the Ranger Station, horse camp, group camp, and hiker parking.__

Address

107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Coordinates

35.7597222 N
83.1041667 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

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$30

/ night

First Come - First Served

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General Info

Asher K.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 1, 2023

Relaxing car camping in the smokies

Big Creek Campground, situated at the northernmost tip of the Smoky Mountains, offers a tranquil camping experience by a beautiful creek. Located at the base of the Baxter Creek Trail, which leads to Mount Sterling, this drive-in campground provides a picturesque backdrop for nature enthusiasts. The campground boasts clearly marked sites for each reservation, ensuring you'll find your designated spot easily. There's a bathroom structure with running water, and two of the restrooms are wheelchair accessible, enhancing accessibility for all visitors.

One thing to note is that reservations are essential, and this caught us off guard as we hadn't realized it needed to be done in advance. Unfortunately, finding a campground host or staff member can be a challenge, and the lack of internet connectivity near the campground makes it difficult to seek assistance for reservations. During our springtime visit, the flora along the creek was in full bloom, creating a stunning natural landscape. The temperature was perfect for outdoor activities, and the creek provided a soothing background soundtrack to our stay. Picnic tables were scattered throughout the campground and near the trailhead parking, offering a perfect spot to enjoy meals amidst nature's beauty.

Big Creek Campground offers a plethora of hiking options, catering to various skill levels. For those seeking a challenge, the climb up to the firetower at Mount Sterling is a must-try adventure. However, be prepared to start early, as it's a full-day endeavor to ascend and descend before dark. Alternatively, you can opt for lower-elevation hikes along the creek, providing a more leisurely experience. Our visit was part of a loop, taking us from Mount Sterling to Tricorner Knob, then back via Cosby Knob and Mount Cammerer.

In summary, Big Creek Campground offers a serene camping experience by a beautiful creek, located at the northernmost tip of the Smoky Mountains. The amenities, including cold running water and well-maintained restrooms, enhance the overall stay. Just remember to make reservations in advance, and if you're up for a challenge, don't miss the climb to the Mount Sterling firetower. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a nature lover seeking a peaceful escape, this campground has something to offer everyone.

(15) View All

Nick

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 24, 2022

Secluded camp with stream

Camp was great. Pads were large and flat and well kept. Bathrooms were mostly clean and everything worked. Mature trees throughout campgrounds. Minimal privacy but sites were not on top of each other. Nice path to walk and explore along stream which is very beautiful. Will be going back!

Site5

Month of VisitOctober

Katrin M.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 30, 2022

Small campground in the woods

I camped here for one night with a friend and our dogs.

The campground is very small with only 12 campsites. Each one has a firepit, picnic table, lantern pole, and a very large tent pad. There are no RV's allowed. Nearby is group camping and horse camping.

You cannot park your car right on the campsite. There is a parking lot and you need to carry your gear in. It's about 100 feet to the sites.

The campground has several trailheads for hiking in the Smokies. A very nice feature is how close the campsites are to the creek. It was great for the dogs to cool off. There are also swimming holes nearby.

The bathrooms are fairly well kept. There are no showers. For running water you can use water spigots that are around the campground.

Due to the dogs we just walked the gravel road but it was definitely a very nice quiet getaway. I would camp here again.

Site6

Month of VisitSeptember

(9) View All

Sarah V.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 25, 2022

Secluded small campground

Great campground! Very secluded and very small only 12 tent sites. Many sites have direct access to the creek where you can cool off on a hot day. Plenty of trails near campground. Parking was not far from site. Site was large enough to fit the family and the sites were not very close together. Kids had plenty of room to play

Site9

Month of VisitJuly

(6) View All

Alison W.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 8, 2021

Wonderful!

We stayed in Big Creek for 3 nights and wish we could have stayed longer. The camp is beautiful and you are surrounded by the magical sounds of rushing water. There are two creeks nearby, one big and one small. We spent one day simply enjoying the campground. There are some trails nearby but most of the popular hikes you’ll need to drive to. Plan to be without WiFi and for your car to navigate difficult ground on your way in and out.

Site007

Month of VisitJune

Chris M.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 2, 2020

The greenscape was awesome

Even though it rained we gad a great hike. The falls were beautiful, and jumping into Midnight Hole was fun. Even at midnight :)

Glynne E.

Scout

Reviewed Oct. 29, 2019

Gorgeous, Tent Only Campground

The only tent-only campground in the GSMNP considered frontcountry. Well maintained sites and restroom area. Note that some sites are closer to the parking area than others, and if you have trouble walking long distances I’d recommend site 1! Highly recommend.

Todd R.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 5, 2019

Very nice and secluded. Very clean with good trail and creek access.

Sites are limited and must be reserved through the phone or website.

Cynthia R.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 16, 2019

Easy car camping & hiking

There are about 10 spots and a parking area to have your car near. There are bathrooms as well but no showers. The sites must be reserved in advance. It’s a good spot for families. Dogs are allowed to camp but not permitted in the Midnight Hole hiking area next to the campground.

Myron C.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 8, 2019

Campground near Rafting Excursions on the Pigeon River

Even though the sites are walk-in sites, when I was there it was pretty crowded since the sites are close together. At night, you can hear the distant sounds of the creek … if the other campers can stop talking. This is not a campground for RVs. There are no hookups and there are no places for RVs to park. The thing I like best about this campground is its proximity to the Appalachian Trail and several other trails, including the Benton MacKaye Trail. Midnight Hole, which is a 1.5 mile hike, is a great place to cool off. Once you get there, you can swim to a big rock and jump off into a natural pool. I believe this is the same place I took Boy Scouts many, many years ago and they loved it. You just have to be careful because it is deep and COLD. The trail to Mount Cammerer is quite strenuous, but the view is worth it. Other than the great trails, the other attraction is the whitewater rafting. There are a few outfitters just over the state line, and they shuttle rafters to the starting point beside the power station. The one I used was NOC. When I first came here years ago, I thought the river looked low, but by the time we put our raft in, the river was raging. I think the most fun, besides the rafting, at this campground is playing on the rocks in the creek. There is also a group camping area, which is separate from the family campground. That is because they release the water just for rafting. This campground is conveniently located off of Interstate 40 near the Tennessee and North Carolina state line. Once you get to the national park road leading to it, it is a 1.2 mile drive on a gravel road.

Month of VisitJuly

(12) View All

Cindy A.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 25, 2018

best group camp

this group camp grounds were the best! privacy tent camping, near the stream and great hiking trails. close to the AT . going back!! with the tallest standing chimney

Sophie K.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 30, 2018

Mediocre campground but access to incredible hikes

The great smokies are definitely worth a visit! To be fair we didn’t spend much time at the campground as we were off exploring the park, but it was your basic frontcountry campground

Grace M.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 8, 2018

Beautiful & Quiet

Another family favorite. Whether you’re hiking to Midnight Hole (and amazing swimming hole where you can jump off the huge boulders next to a waterfall), or up to Mouse Creek Falls, or camping, or simply having a picnic and sticking your toes in the cool mountain water, it’s an incredible place. Usually pretty quiet and not too many people - except on the hottest days of summer!