About Big Creek Campground
Big Creek Campground is a tent-only camp with just 12 sites beside Big Creek in the northeast corner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the North Carolina side near Waterville. At 1,700 feet, it is mild and shaded, with flush toilets and drinking water but no hookups or showers. No RVs or trailers are allowed.
2026 season and booking
The Park Service lists the campground as closed from October 25, 2026 to May 15, 2027. Reservations are required and open up to six months ahead on recreation.gov, at $30 per site per night. With only 12 sites, summer and October weekends sell out early. The Big Creek area page has the shared rules: six people and two vehicles per site, quiet hours 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Trails from camp
The Big Creek Trail starts at the nearby Big Creek Picnic Area. It follows an old railroad grade past Midnight Hole (about 1.5 miles) to Mouse Creek Falls (about 2 miles). After Hurricane Helene the Park Service closed the trail beyond the first two miles, so these stops mark the end of the open section; the closures page has the latest. Backcountry campsites #36 and #37 have no access from the Big Creek Trail at present.
Getting there
Take I-40 to exit 451 near Waterville and follow signs to the Big Creek entrance, a few miles up the valley. The area is far from Gatlinburg and quiet. Stock up before you arrive; the nearest groceries are in Waterville or Newport. Parking at the campsite is included, but a parking tag is required anywhere else in the park, and federal passes do not replace it.
Bears and food
Black bears are common here. Keep all food, coolers and scented items in your vehicle or a hard-sided unit whenever you are not using them.
Good to know
- How many sites does Big Creek Campground have?
- 12 sites. Season: Seasonal. Closes Oct 25, 2026; reopens May 15, 2027..
- How do I reserve a site?
- Reservations for national park campgrounds are made on recreation.gov. Summer and October weekends book up early.
- Do I need a parking tag?
- A Park It Forward parking tag ($5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year) is required for any vehicle parked more than 15 minutes inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Entry is free, and federal passes such as America the Beautiful do not replace the tag.
