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
jenna g
VerifiedJune 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
This was my favorite camping trip I have ever taken. The Big Creek trail was INCREDIBLE, with lots of little pit stops, steady incline, swimming hole, waterfall, all the good stuff. It was pretty accessible for those who are able to walk. Definitely not wheelchair friendly because of the rough terrain. But, if you can walk it is an awesome, fairly easy hike! We saw an array of wildlife as well. Chipmunks, butterflies, snails, frogs, snakes, SO many bugs (lol). The campsite itself was awesome. Being able to hear the rushing creek while falling asleep was amazing, lots to explore right by the campsite. Clean bathrooms! Overall this is one of my favorite trips and I have really fond memories of it. Remember to WATERPROOF YOUR TENT if its gonna rain or you will wake up in a puddle like me!!
jenna g
VerifiedJune 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
This was my favorite camping trip I have ever taken. The Big Creek trail was INCREDIBLE, with lots of little pit stops, steady incline, swimming hole, waterfall, all the good stuff. It was pretty accessible for those who are able to walk. Definitely not wheelchair friendly because of the rough terrain. But, if you can walk it is an awesome, fairly easy hike! We saw an array of wildlife as well. Chipmunks, butterflies, snails, frogs, snakes, SO many bugs (lol). The campsite itself was awesome. Being able to hear the rushing creek while falling asleep was amazing, lots to explore right by the campsite. Clean bathrooms! Overall this is one of my favorite trips and I have really fond memories of it. Remember to WATERPROOF YOUR TENT if its gonna rain or you will wake up in a puddle like me!!
Claudia D
VerifiedJune 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
The campsite was great. Being in the forest so close to Big Creek pleased our 3 generations of ladies: 77,39,11,7,4😀. We hiked beside the creek, on rocks, in shallow water and among the trees. There were many butterflies and no mosquitoes! Bathroom was clean.
We did not see a ranger when we checked in. We saw two rangers when they closed a nearby trail on Tuesday. The two ranger kiosks need maintenance. The 911 phone had no dial tone. Thank heavens we did not have any need for emergency help.
Pack medium sized containers. There is a bit up hill to the sites. Bring fire starters or paper or corn chips for kindling. Wood at site is damp.
We had a wonderful time. We hope to return.
Claudia D
VerifiedJune 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
The campsite was great. Being in the forest so close to Big Creek pleased our 3 generations of ladies: 77,39,11,7,4😀. We hiked beside the creek, on rocks, in shallow water and among the trees. There were many butterflies and no mosquitoes! Bathroom was clean.
We did not see a ranger when we checked in. We saw two rangers when they closed a nearby trail on Tuesday. The two ranger kiosks need maintenance. The 911 phone had no dial tone. Thank heavens we did not have any need for emergency help.
Pack medium sized containers. There is a bit up hill to the sites. Bring fire starters or paper or corn chips for kindling. Wood at site is damp.
We had a wonderful time. We hope to return.
David W
VerifiedJune 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Spent four days here. It was quite and all campers were nice and respectful. This is the best of tent camping. No loud generators or RV’s idling. Restrooms were clean and easy to access. Lots of hiking. Took a bath in the river which was fun but super cold! Will stay here again!
David W
VerifiedJune 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Spent four days here. It was quite and all campers were nice and respectful. This is the best of tent camping. No loud generators or RV’s idling. Restrooms were clean and easy to access. Lots of hiking. Took a bath in the river which was fun but super cold! Will stay here again!
Roy C
VerifiedJune 2, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Our group has been frequently visiting this park for over 40 years. When it started, this park was first come first serve. Now that it is reservation only, we can’t get the site or sites we desire due to reservations made by people who don’t show up. This is very frustrating, seeing that we come from Michigan to be there. I would like to know when reservations for next year (2023) begin. Other than that, our trip was beautiful as always. Unfortunately, Mother Nature decided to release rain on us the week we were there. We were prepared of course.
Thank you,
Roy C.
Roy C
VerifiedJune 2, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Our group has been frequently visiting this park for over 40 years. When it started, this park was first come first serve. Now that it is reservation only, we can’t get the site or sites we desire due to reservations made by people who don’t show up. This is very frustrating, seeing that we come from Michigan to be there. I would like to know when reservations for next year (2023) begin. Other than that, our trip was beautiful as always. Unfortunately, Mother Nature decided to release rain on us the week we were there. We were prepared of course.
Thank you,
Roy C.
Nathan S
VerifiedMay 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
We had a good time there, but unfortunately got rained out this time. Looking forward to another try later...
Nathan S
VerifiedMay 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
We had a good time there, but unfortunately got rained out this time. Looking forward to another try later...
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
