Can you reserve a site at Big Creek Horse Camp?

Yes, Big Creek Horse Camp is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Big Creek Horse Camp?

35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Big Creek Horse Camp?

Yes, pets are allowed at Big Creek Horse Camp.

Are campfires allowed at Big Creek Horse Camp?

Campfires are allowed at Big Creek Horse Camp. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Big Creek Horse Camp, North Carolina — 5 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

The only horse camp in the Great Smoky Mountains with potable water and flushing toilets!

Pack up your horses for a getaway at Big Creek Horse Camp, located on far northeastern side of Smoky Mountains National Park, approximately 16 miles from Newport, Tennessee. This campsite sits along the gently rolling waters of Big Creek and offers miles of horse trails with breathtaking scenic backdrops.

You MUST have a HORSE to camp in Big Creek Horse Camp!

Recreation

The rolling terrain surrounding the campsite makes for some of the best horseback riding trails in the park. Numerous trails are accessible from Big Creek and for riders looking for a little hiking, the Appalachian Trail can be easily reached via the 2.1 mile Chestnut Branch Trail, located within walking distance from the camp.

Day Use horse area- so invite your horse riding friends and family for a fun day even if they don't want to camp with you.

Campers can also enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams that snake through the mountains, with Rainbow and Brook trout available in abundance, particularly during spring months.

Facilities

Big Creek Horse Camp is fairly primitive, providing only the basic amenities, but an unforgettable outdoors experience. The sites are large and the facility does offer flush toilets, drinking water and plenty of shade.

Since horses are not permitted in the camping area, horse stalls and hitching rails are provided to guests.

There are no hookups or showers at the campground, but water is available from the campground spigot.

You MUST have a HORSE to camp in Big Creek Horse Camp!

Natural Features

At a 1,700 foot elevation, Big Creek provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. The camp is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges and pristine mountain streams.

Nearby Mouse Creek Falls, a 35 foot waterfall forming at the confluence of Mouse Creek and Big Creek, is reachable by horseback or on foot via the Big Creek trailhead located on-site.

The beautiful 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 Group Campground is located nearby, with plenty of space for larger groups.

Full service grocery stores and medical facilities are located 16 miles away in Newport, Tennessee.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (865) 487-2683.

The facts

5 bookable sites
1 accessible site
Vehicles up to 35 ft
Up to 6 people per site
Loops: Horse Camp 1-5

Site types

5 Equestrian Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups.

Book on Recreation.gov

5 campsites at Big Creek Horse Camp

Check-in 1:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Max rig	People
1	Horse Camp 1-5	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	35 ft	6	🐾
2	Horse Camp 1-5	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	35 ft	6	♿ 🐾
3	Horse Camp 1-5	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	35 ft	6	🐾
4	Horse Camp 1-5	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	35 ft	6	🐾
5	Horse Camp 1-5	Equestrian Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	35 ft	6	🐾

Getting there

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.

Drive up Big Creek Park Road. Shortly after passing the Ranger Station, take the first left turn into the horse camp.

Coordinates: 35°45'15.7"N 83°06'25.8"W

35.754361, -83.107167

Mailing Address: (Do not use GPS directions by name)

236 Big Creek Park Road
Newport, Tennessee, 37821

35.75427, -83.10734 · 35°45'15.4"N 83°6'26.4"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

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, 1.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

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.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Big Creek Horse Camp

Can you reserve a site at Big Creek Horse Camp?: Yes, Big Creek Horse Camp is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Big Creek Horse Camp have?: 5 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Big Creek Horse Camp?: 35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Big Creek Horse Camp?: Yes, pets are allowed at Big Creek Horse Camp.
Are campfires allowed at Big Creek Horse Camp?: Campfires are allowed at Big Creek Horse Camp. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Big Creek Horse Camp

Big Creek Group Camp 0.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) 0.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cosby Group Camp 5.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cosby Campground 5.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cosby Picnic Pavilion 5.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Harmon Den Campground 7.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cataloochee Group Camp 7.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cataloochee Campground 8.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cataloochee Horse Camp 8.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Round Mountain Campground 10.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Pigeon River 2.6 mi · Facility
Pigeon River Area 6.6 mi · Facility

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-11.

Big Creek Horse Camp