About Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
Number of accommodations: 12
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Fishing
Hiking
Swimming
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
12 Sites Available
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Site Details
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12 Sites Available
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Reviews (318)
What Guests Are Saying
Big Creek Campground offers a serene and well-maintained camping experience with only 12 tent-only sites near a beautiful creek and waterfall. Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities, friendly staff, and access to great hiking trails. Some concerns include close proximity of sites and occasional issues with unauthorized campers, but overall, guests express a strong desire to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Big Creek Campground offers a serene and well-maintained camping experience with only 12 tent-only sites near a beautiful creek and waterfall. Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities, friendly staff, and access to great hiking trails. Some concerns include close proximity of sites and occasional issues with unauthorized campers, but overall, guests express a strong desire to return.
Review Summary
Roy C
VerifiedMay 19, 2023 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Great campground. Our group has been coming for over 40 years. See you next year.
Roy C
VerifiedMay 19, 2023 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Great campground. Our group has been coming for over 40 years. See you next year.
Ruth F
VerifiedMay 18, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Nice quiet tent camping. Hosts were very friendly and available to campers. Restrooms were kept very clean. Will definitely return!
Ruth F
VerifiedMay 18, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Nice quiet tent camping. Hosts were very friendly and available to campers. Restrooms were kept very clean. Will definitely return!
Joseph S
VerifiedMay 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
I may have missed it but didn't realize all the spots require a short walk from where you park the vehicles. Spots are closer to each other but it really doesn't feel that way. I think some of that is because the sound of the creek is there to mute any sounds between campsites. Tent pads were perfect, nice fire rings and tables and clean bathrooms. We will be going back.
Joseph S
VerifiedMay 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
I may have missed it but didn't realize all the spots require a short walk from where you park the vehicles. Spots are closer to each other but it really doesn't feel that way. I think some of that is because the sound of the creek is there to mute any sounds between campsites. Tent pads were perfect, nice fire rings and tables and clean bathrooms. We will be going back.
Michelle H
VerifiedNovember 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Lovely spot to primitive camp. Creek nearby plus water pump available. Each site has a tent pad and a fire ring with grill plus a lantern pole and a picnic table. Plenty of downed wood for fire and please don’t bring your own unless it’s marked OK to do so. No electricity which suits us just fine and a short walk to site as must park in the lot. Clean bathrooms but no showers. We love this campground and will definitely be back when they open again next season. Met Ranger Spence and he was delightful to chat with. So grateful for our National Park Service (NPS) and all the wonderful memories we get to create. :)
Gregory D
VerifiedNovember 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Great quiet campground. Should be open year-round!
Michelle H
VerifiedNovember 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Lovely spot to primitive camp. Creek nearby plus water pump available. Each site has a tent pad and a fire ring with grill plus a lantern pole and a picnic table. Plenty of downed wood for fire and please don’t bring your own unless it’s marked OK to do so. No electricity which suits us just fine and a short walk to site as must park in the lot. Clean bathrooms but no showers. We love this campground and will definitely be back when they open again next season. Met Ranger Spence and he was delightful to chat with. So grateful for our National Park Service (NPS) and all the wonderful memories we get to create. :)
Gregory D
VerifiedNovember 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Great quiet campground. Should be open year-round!
Location Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
Address:
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN, 37738
United States
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.
Big Creek Campground is accessible from I-40 via Waterville Road. Other nearby roads include Mt. Sterling Road and Hwy 32, providing access from Cataloochee and Cosby.
Latitude & Longitude: 35.7502 / -83.1114
Elevation: 527 feet
Nearby National Park
Arch Rock Entrance
Approximate driving time: 44 min
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
