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
Donald K
VerifiedMay 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Very clean and well kept site. Common sink for cleaning dishes was very convenient. Plenty of close hiking without the crowds in the middle of the park. Make sure you go to midnight hole falls, it's an easy hike and great spot.
Donald K
VerifiedMay 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Very clean and well kept site. Common sink for cleaning dishes was very convenient. Plenty of close hiking without the crowds in the middle of the park. Make sure you go to midnight hole falls, it's an easy hike and great spot.
Paul G
VerifiedMay 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Had a beautiful and clean campsite in the backcountry right by the creek. Trails were well maintained. Staff were helpful beforehand to answer questions. Backpacking in the Smokys seems totally under appreciated.
Paul G
VerifiedMay 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Had a beautiful and clean campsite in the backcountry right by the creek. Trails were well maintained. Staff were helpful beforehand to answer questions. Backpacking in the Smokys seems totally under appreciated.
Flannery H
VerifiedMay 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Absolutely beautiful. Right next to -- it probably shouldn't be a surprise, but -- a big creek! You can hear it as you sleep. I like the small size, only a few campsites. Nice trails nearby. Highly recommend.
Flannery H
VerifiedMay 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Absolutely beautiful. Right next to -- it probably shouldn't be a surprise, but -- a big creek! You can hear it as you sleep. I like the small size, only a few campsites. Nice trails nearby. Highly recommend.
Kate C
VerifiedMay 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
This campsite is beautiful and perfect!
Kate C
VerifiedMay 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
This campsite is beautiful and perfect!
ed b
VerifiedApril 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
All but 1 campsite in the tent camping section was reserved, and the site next to us was not. Someone set up there. The men's restroom was dirty when we arrived. According to our reservation, we had 3 tents on the site, but there was only room for one on the tent pad. The regulations said tents were not to be placed off the pad, but we had to put up a tent off the pad. Otherwise, the site was good, the area was clean and it was wonderful to have firewood provided. The area was marked adequately but it was a very long walk from the hiker parking area to the trailhead. The tent camping area did not allow overnight hiker parking so it made our hike quite a bit longer as we had so far to walk before the trailhead for Mt. Sterling. Rangers were available for issues during our stay of one night in the campground.
Dara M
VerifiedApril 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
The perfect place to unwind and day hike. Clean restrooms and trash bins. Great Camp Host was an older lady who really knew how to do her job interacting with all the campers. The campground is small and quiet. Personal favorite is campsite 12.
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
