About Bandy Creek
Number of accommodations: 142
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Showers
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
142 Sites Available
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Site Details
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142 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (981)
What Guests Are Saying
Bandy Creek Campground is praised for its clean and well-maintained facilities, including excellent bathhouses and spacious, private campsites. Visitors appreciate the friendly staff, beautiful surroundings, and ample recreational opportunities, such as hiking and biking. While some mentioned issues with crowding on weekends and minimal management response to specific concerns, the overall experience is highly positive, making it a favorite destination for many campers.
What Guests Are Saying
Bandy Creek Campground is praised for its clean and well-maintained facilities, including excellent bathhouses and spacious, private campsites. Visitors appreciate the friendly staff, beautiful surroundings, and ample recreational opportunities, such as hiking and biking. While some mentioned issues with crowding on weekends and minimal management response to specific concerns, the overall experience is highly positive, making it a favorite destination for many campers.
Review Summary
Jane B
VerifiedJuly 20, 2025 • Stayed at: C024, Loop: Loop C
N/A
Leah S
VerifiedJuly 19, 2025 • Stayed at: B013, Loop: Loop B
Pool, shower, water and electric. One of the best NPS campgrounds we’ve been to.
Leah S
VerifiedJuly 19, 2025 • Stayed at: B013, Loop: Loop B
Pool, shower, water and electric. One of the best NPS campgrounds we’ve been to.
Teddy B
VerifiedJuly 14, 2025 • Stayed at: A035, Loop: Loop A
Me and my wife visited Bandy creek in early July (weekend of the 4th). We had stayed in a cabin at the nearby Pickett CCC state memorial park about a year prior on our honeymoon, so we decided we wanted to try out tent camping at Big South Fork since we had heard that it was a nice park and we loved the atmosphere of Pickett. Also, we camped earlier this year at Rock Creek Campground in Obed Wild, which had primitive tent camping and facilities.
The area around BSF and Bandy creek had many of the same things that we loved about Pickett (aside from proximity to natural water... yes, even though it is in the name, the campground is actually quite far from bandy creek). Obed Wild also had nearby water access, but its facilities were far inferior. My wife has been pregnant for both tent camping trips (at Obed - before we knew we should be expecting - and Bandy Creek), so the fully plumbed bathrooms at Bandy creek were much appreciated. The flushing toilets were far superior to the outhouses at Rock Creek, and there were also showers. Our campsite was EXTREMELY close to the bath house (intentionally), but if we return, I think I would reserve one of the sites A44-A48 because they have a bit more privacy, and the back of the site faces the woods rather than being sandwiched between another campsite, the road, and the bath house like we were in A35.
I would also warn that there are limited free outdoor activities around Bandy creek. There are some trails, but they are either quite bland or rather long (the best trails seem to require a drive to visit). Nonetheless, there is a pool that only costs $3 for a day pass which we felt was reasonable, and the pool was kept very clean. It is a 3-5ft pool with a secondary, shallower "kiddie pool" but I don't know if it has a zero entry area, sorry.
The camp store had everything we needed and more.
Bandy Creek would be a 5 star site, but we encountered a lot of bugs on our visit, and we wanted to enjoy more outdoor activities.
Teddy B
VerifiedJuly 14, 2025 • Stayed at: A035, Loop: Loop A
Me and my wife visited Bandy creek in early July (weekend of the 4th). We had stayed in a cabin at the nearby Pickett CCC state memorial park about a year prior on our honeymoon, so we decided we wanted to try out tent camping at Big South Fork since we had heard that it was a nice park and we loved the atmosphere of Pickett. Also, we camped earlier this year at Rock Creek Campground in Obed Wild, which had primitive tent camping and facilities.
The area around BSF and Bandy creek had many of the same things that we loved about Pickett (aside from proximity to natural water... yes, even though it is in the name, the campground is actually quite far from bandy creek). Obed Wild also had nearby water access, but its facilities were far inferior. My wife has been pregnant for both tent camping trips (at Obed - before we knew we should be expecting - and Bandy Creek), so the fully plumbed bathrooms at Bandy creek were much appreciated. The flushing toilets were far superior to the outhouses at Rock Creek, and there were also showers. Our campsite was EXTREMELY close to the bath house (intentionally), but if we return, I think I would reserve one of the sites A44-A48 because they have a bit more privacy, and the back of the site faces the woods rather than being sandwiched between another campsite, the road, and the bath house like we were in A35.
I would also warn that there are limited free outdoor activities around Bandy creek. There are some trails, but they are either quite bland or rather long (the best trails seem to require a drive to visit). Nonetheless, there is a pool that only costs $3 for a day pass which we felt was reasonable, and the pool was kept very clean. It is a 3-5ft pool with a secondary, shallower "kiddie pool" but I don't know if it has a zero entry area, sorry.
The camp store had everything we needed and more.
Bandy Creek would be a 5 star site, but we encountered a lot of bugs on our visit, and we wanted to enjoy more outdoor activities.
Keith K
VerifiedJuly 13, 2025 • Stayed at: D008, Loop: Loop D
Great place. Host was super nice. Loved the pool.
Christopher R
VerifiedJuly 13, 2025 • Stayed at: C026, Loop: Loop C
Great campground, level sites, great water pressure, clean bathrooms, highly recommend. Great mountain biking and hiking trails
Kelli F
VerifiedJuly 13, 2025 • Stayed at: A003, Loop: Loop A
I took my two daughters, ages 17 and 13, camping for the first time and this is where we chose to go. After driving all day, we finally made it in and got our tent set up but we didn’t have time to see anything before it was dark so we booked our spot for another night. In the middle of the first night (2am) we woke up to people having a domestic dispute right beside our campsite. It was so scary and my girls have never heard a fight like that. We waited in the tent until the woman walked away and the man drove after her and I got my girls in the car and we left. We came back a couple hours later and I got our tent in the car and left again. I called the next day and requested a refund because that was terrible. They did refund the second night but not the first night. I would not stay here again.
Kelli F
VerifiedJuly 13, 2025 • Stayed at: A003, Loop: Loop A
I took my two daughters, ages 17 and 13, camping for the first time and this is where we chose to go. After driving all day, we finally made it in and got our tent set up but we didn’t have time to see anything before it was dark so we booked our spot for another night. In the middle of the first night (2am) we woke up to people having a domestic dispute right beside our campsite. It was so scary and my girls have never heard a fight like that. We waited in the tent until the woman walked away and the man drove after her and I got my girls in the car and we left. We came back a couple hours later and I got our tent in the car and left again. I called the next day and requested a refund because that was terrible. They did refund the second night but not the first night. I would not stay here again.
Christopher R
VerifiedJuly 13, 2025 • Stayed at: C026, Loop: Loop C
Great campground, level sites, great water pressure, clean bathrooms, highly recommend. Great mountain biking and hiking trails
Location Bandy Creek
Address:
4564 Leatherwood Rd
Oneida, TN, 37841
United States
For detailed directions, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Bandy Creek Campground is accessible via US Highway 27, which is approximately 12 miles to the west. The campground is also within reach of Interstate 75, located roughly 25 miles to the east.
Latitude & Longitude: 36.4889 / -84.6976
Elevation: 484 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- Travelers should exercise caution on Highway 297 due to steep grades and curves; an alternate route is recommended for those uncomfortable with these conditions.
Wildlife & food storage
- To prevent wildlife encounters, secure all food and scented items properly and maintain a clean campsite.
Fees & deposits
- Horse stall reservations are required and can be made by phone or online; they are separate from campground reservations.
Safety & rules
- Caution is advised when camping in this area due to potential falling branches.
Local regulations
- Fishing in the main river requires a valid Tennessee or Kentucky fishing license.
- Groups larger than 25 must obtain a permit for activities that move away from established roads or parking areas.
- Business services in the park require an approved permit or authorization; details can be found on the park's website.
Fires & fuel
- To protect forests, do not move firewood; obtain it locally and burn on-site.
Amenities
- The swimming pool is open on weekends and holidays during the summer season.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 5, 2026
