Big Creek Group Camp
Campground · North Carolina · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (National Park) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 25
- People per site
- 1,694 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Big Creek Group Camp is located in the far northeastern corner of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near the Tennessee-North Carolina border.With the gentle waters of Big Creek running alongside the site, and a handful of trailheads within walking distance, this campsite offers an ideal setting for group camping excursions.
Recreation
Numerous hiking and horseback riding trails are accessible from the campground and in the surrounding areas. Most notably, the Appalachian Trail is easily reached via the Chestnut Branch Trail, a 2.1 mile trail for hikers only, beginning down the road from the campground.Nearby Baxter Creek Trail meanders along the water, while equestrian campers might enjoy taking the Big Creek Trail to Mouse Creek Falls or Midnight Hole, an area where Big Creek squeezes between large boulders, forming a deep, beautifully-colored pool.
Compared to some other areas of the park, Big Creek is not crowded with anglers. Spring provides ideal conditions for fly fishing on Big Creek, with Rainbow and Brook trout looking for the aquatic insects which hatch during this time.
Facilities
Big Creek Group Camp offers an unforgettable outdoor experience combined with the convenience of flush toilets, drinking water and sinks.The campsite can accommodate up to 25 guests and tent pads, grills and fire rings are provided. The site is surrounded by a heavy canopy of towering forest, providing plenty of shade for guests.
Natural Features
Big Creek Group Camp is nestled among the scenic mountains and pristine streams surrounding the big creek section of the North Carolina Smokies.Nearby Mouse Creek Falls, a 35 foot waterfall forming at the confluence of Mouse Creek and Big Creek, is a stunning geological feature of the area.
The falls splits over moss covered rocks and falls about 20 ft. before pooling and falling another 15 ft. into Big Creek. The falls can be reached via the Big Creek Trail, which is covered in wildflowers during spring months.
Nearby Attractions
The Big Creek Horse Camp is located nearby, with horse stables and riding trails available.Full service grocery stores and medical facilities are located 16 miles away in Newport, Tennessee.
Charges & Cancellations
Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.
The facts
- 1 bookable site
- Up to 25 people per site
- Loops: Group Site
Site types
- 1 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.
1 campsite at Big Creek Group Camp
Check-in 1:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP01 | Group Site | Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 25 | 🐾 |
Getting there
Campground is at the end of Big Creek Entrance Rd. Waterville, NC, 28785 (Haywood County) Very close to the NC-TN State line.
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.
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 and horse camp. Group camp will be the last left turn immediately before hiker parking.
Use Mailing Address or coordinates if you're using GPS :
236 Big Creek Park Road
Newport, Tennessee, 37821
GPS coordinates are 35°45'08.4"N 83°06'33.4"W
35.752328, -83.109287
35.75222, -83.10889 · 35°45'8.0"N 83°6'32.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 86°F in Jul, down to 49°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 49 | 53 | 61 | 71 | 77 | 83 | 86 | 85 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 51 |
| Low °F | 29 | 32 | 38 | 46 | 54 | 62 | 65 | 64 | 59 | 48 | 37 | 32 |
| Precip in | 4.2 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 6.4 | 6.5 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 4.4 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use 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.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Big Creek Group Camp
- Can you reserve a site at Big Creek Group Camp?
- Yes, Big Creek Group Camp is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Big Creek Group Camp have?
- 1 site.
- Are pets allowed at Big Creek Group Camp?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Big Creek Group Camp.
- Are campfires allowed at Big Creek Group Camp?
- Campfires are allowed at Big Creek Group Camp. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Big Creek Group Camp
- Big Creek Horse Camp 0.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) 0.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cosby Group Camp 5.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cosby Campground 5.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cosby Picnic Pavilion 5.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cataloochee Group Camp 7.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Harmon Den Campground 7.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cataloochee Campground 8.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cataloochee Horse Camp 8.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Round Mountain Campground 10.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Pigeon River 2.7 mi · Facility
- Pigeon River Area 6.7 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 423-487-2683
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-11.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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