Can you reserve a site at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)?

Yes, Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)?

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

Are pets allowed at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)?

Yes, pets are allowed at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park).

Are campfires allowed at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)?

Campfires are allowed at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park), Tennessee — 12 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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.

The facts

12 bookable sites
Vehicles up to 18 ft
Up to 6 people per site
Loops: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)

Site types

12 Tent Only 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

12 campsites at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

Check-in 1:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Max rig	People
001	BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	—	—	6	🐾
002	BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	6	🐾
003	BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	6	🐾
004	BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	6	🐾
005	BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	18 ft	6	🐾
006	BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	18 ft	6	🐾
007	BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	18 ft	6	🐾
008	BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	18 ft	6	🐾
009	BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	18 ft	6	🐾
010	BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	18 ft	6	🐾
011	BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	18 ft	6	🐾
012	BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	18 ft	6	🐾

Getting there

Campground is at the end of Big Creek Entrance Rd. Waterville, NC, 28785 (Haywood County)

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.

35.75020, -83.11140 · 35°45'0.7"N 83°6'41.0"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, 1.8 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 Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

Can you reserve a site at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)?: Yes, Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) have?: 12 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)?: 18 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)?: Yes, pets are allowed at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park).
Are campfires allowed at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)?: Campfires are allowed at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

Big Creek Group Camp 0.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Big Creek Horse Camp 0.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cosby Group Camp 5.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cosby Campground 5.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cosby Picnic Pavilion 5.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cataloochee Group Camp 7.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Harmon Den Campground 7.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cataloochee Campground 8.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cataloochee Horse Camp 8.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Round Mountain Campground 10.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Pigeon River 2.8 mi · Facility
Pigeon River Area 6.9 mi · Facility

Contact

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

Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)