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
No available sites
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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
nicholas p
VerifiedOctober 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Very nice campground with easy access to some awesome trails. I would definitely go back and recommend to anyone who likes to do some hiking.
nicholas p
VerifiedOctober 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Very nice campground with easy access to some awesome trails. I would definitely go back and recommend to anyone who likes to do some hiking.
Geneva R
VerifiedOctober 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
I liked the darkness at night. Campground was large but not too many sites, relatively private. The trails leading out were good to explore, plus the water hole for swimming would be fun for older and younger kids in summer. I would go again.
Geneva R
VerifiedOctober 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
I liked the darkness at night. Campground was large but not too many sites, relatively private. The trails leading out were good to explore, plus the water hole for swimming would be fun for older and younger kids in summer. I would go again.
Kathy C
VerifiedSeptember 28, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
My husband and I had a great time camping and hiking at Big Creek. Parking at the campground was easy. Walking in the lush green woods was refreshing and beautiful. All the Park Rangers I talked to when getting passes to hike the backcountry were friendly and very helpful. We plan on coming back.
Kathy C
VerifiedSeptember 28, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
My husband and I had a great time camping and hiking at Big Creek. Parking at the campground was easy. Walking in the lush green woods was refreshing and beautiful. All the Park Rangers I talked to when getting passes to hike the backcountry were friendly and very helpful. We plan on coming back.
Sarah D
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
It's a very beautiful site. Not much privacy between campsites, but otherwise you are deep in the woods. The creek was lovely and offered a soothing backdrop of white noise.
Sarah D
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
It's a very beautiful site. Not much privacy between campsites, but otherwise you are deep in the woods. The creek was lovely and offered a soothing backdrop of white noise.
Earl S
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Ok camping experience. Have to have a parking pass if you want to go and see any anything. Have to reserve shelters in advance if you hike out of Big Creek to a shelter overnight. Eight bucks per person for a backpack shelter. Big creek tent sites went from 17.50 last year to 30 dollars this year, 2023. The men's restroom uses the cheapest grade commercial toilet paper. Eventually blue-collar will be priced out of Big creek. It is what it is.
Earl S
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND (GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK)
Ok camping experience. Have to have a parking pass if you want to go and see any anything. Have to reserve shelters in advance if you hike out of Big Creek to a shelter overnight. Eight bucks per person for a backpack shelter. Big creek tent sites went from 17.50 last year to 30 dollars this year, 2023. The men's restroom uses the cheapest grade commercial toilet paper. Eventually blue-collar will be priced out of Big creek. It is what it is.
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
