Available sites
12 total sites
Tent Sites
About Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Fishing
Hiking
Swimming
Year-round
Fishing
Hiking
Summer
Swimming
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Rates, Sites & Availability
12 Sites Available
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Site Details
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12 Sites Available
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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.
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
Jonathan W
VerifiedAugust 24, 2024 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
I love this campground!! Small, tent only and the creek next to it is amazing!
Mitch M
VerifiedAugust 12, 2024 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Beautiful campsite
Been coming for years
Please put cart back at the sign in station
Mitch M
VerifiedAugust 12, 2024 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Beautiful campsite
Been coming for years
Please put cart back at the sign in station
Benjamin K
VerifiedJuly 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Big Creek Campsite is great! Easy access to the river. Nice facilities. Not too crowded. We benefited from people no-showing to their reserved sites as the area was 'fully booked' but we were surrounded by empty sites, which was nice.
Campsite host was nice and helpful.
Benjamin K
VerifiedJuly 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Big Creek Campsite is great! Easy access to the river. Nice facilities. Not too crowded. We benefited from people no-showing to their reserved sites as the area was 'fully booked' but we were surrounded by empty sites, which was nice.
Campsite host was nice and helpful.
Zack S
VerifiedJuly 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Super fun, great spot nice rangers and quiet campers
Zack S
VerifiedJuly 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Super fun, great spot nice rangers and quiet campers
Kirstin M
VerifiedJuly 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
The camp hosts were wonderful, as always. Kind, welcoming, and on top of keeping the campground clean and functioning. And the campground itself was absolutely perfect and I cannot complain about the upkeep at all.
The only reason I did not give my stay 5 stars has to do with the number of people trying to illegally camp or set up for the day at the campground. People took up parking, unloaded stuff into a campsite that was not theirs, and made it impossible to get to the bathroom at times - and this happened daily with folks who were not staying at the campground. The hosts did chase them out when they could, but it was a constant issue. I think having an enforcement range here randomly to ticket folks might deter this behavior.
Kirstin M
VerifiedJuly 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
The camp hosts were wonderful, as always. Kind, welcoming, and on top of keeping the campground clean and functioning. And the campground itself was absolutely perfect and I cannot complain about the upkeep at all.
The only reason I did not give my stay 5 stars has to do with the number of people trying to illegally camp or set up for the day at the campground. People took up parking, unloaded stuff into a campsite that was not theirs, and made it impossible to get to the bathroom at times - and this happened daily with folks who were not staying at the campground. The hosts did chase them out when they could, but it was a constant issue. I think having an enforcement range here randomly to ticket folks might deter this behavior.
Connie L
VerifiedJuly 3, 2024 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Campsite #10 is my favorite. I stay there often. Don’t miss a hike to Mouse Creek Falls and the Midnight Hole.
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 ...
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.
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
In Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Approximate driving time: 2 min
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: October 20, 2026
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Population: 3,663
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