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
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park).
Rates, Sites & Availability
12 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
12 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
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
Alexandria H
VerifiedAugust 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Absolutely beautiful, quiet, and clean. Got to swim in the river, and several hiking trails are quite literally right there. Didn't even have to venture out to get plenty of miles in over multiple days.
Alexandria H
VerifiedAugust 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Absolutely beautiful, quiet, and clean. Got to swim in the river, and several hiking trails are quite literally right there. Didn't even have to venture out to get plenty of miles in over multiple days.
Christopher R
VerifiedAugust 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Fantastic campground! The park hosts were very nice and knowledgeable. We were in site #3, in the back corner along the stream and it was perfect. Highly recommend this area to anyone!
Christopher R
VerifiedAugust 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Fantastic campground! The park hosts were very nice and knowledgeable. We were in site #3, in the back corner along the stream and it was perfect. Highly recommend this area to anyone!
Jason R
VerifiedJuly 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Excellent tent-only campground with easy access to Big Creek trail. Sound of the river audible from the sites.
Jason R
VerifiedJuly 26, 2022 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Excellent tent-only campground with easy access to Big Creek trail. Sound of the river audible from the sites.
Maddie U
VerifiedJuly 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Staying at Big Creek was so much fun! I went with a bunch of my friends and we all want to come back to explore even more than we did during our stay. There are many trails that go out from this area and one of them (Mount Sterling Overnight Trail) has so many pretty waterfalls along it. This whole area is amazing and even if you want a chill day, hanging out by the creek is the perfect way to chill out.
Cathey G
VerifiedJuly 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Beautiful secluded scenery, you here the river from every campsite. Spaces are large enough that you don’t feel too close to your neighbor. Huge, trees.
Maddie U
VerifiedJuly 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Staying at Big Creek was so much fun! I went with a bunch of my friends and we all want to come back to explore even more than we did during our stay. There are many trails that go out from this area and one of them (Mount Sterling Overnight Trail) has so many pretty waterfalls along it. This whole area is amazing and even if you want a chill day, hanging out by the creek is the perfect way to chill out.
Cathey G
VerifiedJuly 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Beautiful secluded scenery, you here the river from every campsite. Spaces are large enough that you don’t feel too close to your neighbor. Huge, trees.
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 4, 2026
