About Big Creek Trail
Big Creek is the quiet corner of the park's northeast side, reached from Waterville, NC, off I-40. The trail follows an old logging railroad grade up Big Creek, and it is wide and gentle at first. Right now only the first two miles are open: the NPS closures page says the trail is open to hikers and horses only as far as Mouse Creek Falls and closed beyond that because of Hurricane Helene damage.
The hike
About 1.5 miles in you reach Midnight Hole, a deep green pool below a small cascade; swimming here is popular on hot days, but cold, deep water and slick rock are dangerous. The trail continues to Mouse Creek Falls, a roughly 45-foot fan of water at about 2 miles (see the Mouse Creek Falls page). The open section gains roughly 530 feet, and the full out-and-back is about 4 miles.
When to go
Late spring to early fall is the best window, with summer swimming at Midnight Hole. Fall color is excellent and Big Creek is calmer than the main park entrances. Spring runoff can raise the creek; check conditions before you go.
Getting there
Big Creek is off I-40 exit 451 at Waterville, NC, following Waterville Road to the picnic area and trailhead. Plan on a parking tag ($5 daily, $15 weekly, $40 annual) if you will be parked longer than 15 minutes. Federal passes do not substitute for it, and a screenshot will not do; the tag must be displayed in the vehicle.
Know before you go
Bring water and dry clothes if you plan to swim. Pets are not allowed. Beyond Mouse Creek Falls the trail is closed to all users, and campsites #36 and #37 cannot be reached from this route. See the Big Creek area page for current conditions.
Pair it with
Other hikes in the same part of the park:
- Mount Sterling Trail: a steep climb to a fire tower
- Little Cataloochee Trail: a quiet walk through old settlement sites
- Flat Creek Trail: a short high-country route on Balsam Mountain
Planning and safety
Give yourself more time than the mileage suggests. Rocks, roots, stream crossings and short climbs all slow the pace, and most people stop often. An early start gives you the quietest trail and the best chance at a parking space.
Cell service is spotty across much of the park, so download a map ahead of time and tell someone where you are headed. Stay on the trail, keep dogs and other pets on the few trails where they are allowed, and give wildlife plenty of room. Trail conditions are posted on the park's closures page.
Good to know
- How long is Big Creek Trail?
- Big Creek Trail is 2 miles one way (4.0 miles round trip), with about 530 feet of climbing. It is rated moderate.
- Are dogs allowed on this trail?
- No. Inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, dogs are allowed only on the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail.
- Do I need a parking tag to hike here?
- 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.
