Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

Hideaway Camping in Big Creek
Loop Parking
Map
Big Creek
Camping in Big Creek

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly

Available sites

12 total sites

About Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

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. 

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Swimming

Swimming

Summer

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 15 to Oct 25

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

12 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 001, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 002, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 003, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 004, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 005, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 006, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 007, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 008, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 009, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 010, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 011, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 012, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire

Reviews (351)

What Guests Are Saying

Big Creek Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is praised for its stunning natural setting along the creek, clean facilities, and limited number of tent sites that enhance privacy and tranquility. Many campers appreciate the accessibility to nearby trails and swimming spots, creating an excellent base for outdoor activities. While some reviews mention occasional noise from fellow campers and the closeness of sites, the overall experience is highly positive, with many expressing a desire to return.

Review Summary

4.7
351 reviews
5
79.8%
280
4
12.5%
44
3
5.1%
18
2
0.9%
3
1
1.7%
6

Robert M

Verified

May 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)

5

Beautiful setting, very clean campsite, quiet neighbors, and good flush toilet. Very nice to have a small campground limited to tent camping only but accessible without needing to hike in.

Floyd S

Verified

May 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)

5

Perfect!

Alex K

Verified

June 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)

5

Excellent campsite, location, and view. Do keep in mind that you'll have to walk your stuff to the site. It is a short trail from parking lot to campsite. No bear box at site, only one communal box near comfort station. Comfort station was in good condition.

5

Campground was very enjoyable. Big Creek was roaring as a result of multiple straight days of rainfall, so my experience may have been a bit better than normal, but it's an impressive "creek." Campsites are a bit close together so your experience will be influenced by your neighbors if they are rowdy.

I use H2O wireless (AT&T) and had solid service at the campground and much of the drive to and from, which surprised me.

Bathrooms on site are in pretty good condition.

Derrin W

Verified

June 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)

5

If you're looking to get out there without backpacking, this is the campsite for you. No RVs. No electricity. No showers. No playground. Only vehicles who are camping in the 12 spots are allowed back there. They do have toilets and potable water, but that is about it. If I can't backpack, this NPS campsite is what I would look for.

joseph a

Verified

July 10, 2026 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)

2

Campsite is fine, clean. Tent sights without any privacy. Creek is nice. Midnight hole is neat, but overly crowded and of course marijuana and energy drinks everywhere.

Timothy W

Verified

July 10, 2026 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)

4

Second year staying at the campground. Love the fact that it's tent only and limited spots, that way it doesn't feel like a summer camp with hundreds of people around. Midnight Hole is a fun swimming hole and Mouse Creek Falls is really cool. Only complaint is that both times I've stayed there, a group of kids (in their 20's) would inevitably show up super late at night and set up camp without much regard for the people already there and trying to sleep. BUT, that's got nothing to do with how great of a camp area this is.

Robert P

Verified

July 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)

5

The best campground in the park, if you can get a spot. Great for folks trying to escape crowds, and a good staging area for north or south sides. Facilities were clean and well-maintained. Highlight is definitely proximity to the creek, which provides lovely natural sounds all night. However, PLEASE use the provided bear box near the restrooms to store your food! Nobody was doing this when I visited, which blows my mind... Wildlife very active in the area!

Edna P

Verified

August 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)

5

I love Big Creek. We have been going almost every year for the past 45 years. I like how there are only 12 campsites so it is not busy. And I like that there is no electricity so no RV's and you have to tonally disconnect.

This year, however, there were no Camp host but luckily there were no problems that needed to be addressed. We actually had someone ask us if we were the host. I wish I could be some day.

One more thing about this year, the maintenance around the campsite was not as good as previous years. For example the fire pits were not cleaned out so some campers had a difficult time starting fires.

Adam R

Verified

August 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)

5

Excellent camping stay

Location & Directions for Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 United States

Elevation: 527 ft

Getting There

<p><strong>Campground is at the end of Big Creek Entrance Rd. Waterville, NC, 28785 (Haywood County)</strong></p>
<p>GPS coordinates are <strong>35°45'00.3"N 83°06'38.6"W</strong></p>
<p>The 4 way intersection is composed of Big Creek Campground ...

Nearest town

Gatlinburg, TN - 31 mi

About over 1 hr (63 min) to downtown

Highway access

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.

Nearby National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Approximate driving time: 2 min

Yosemite 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

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 20, 2026

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Population: 3,663

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Asheville, NC

Approx. 33 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 1,289 ft

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