Big Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Big Creek Campground, situated at the northernmost tip of the Smoky Mountains, offers a tranquil camping experience by a beautiful creek. Located at the base of the Baxter Creek Trail, which leads to Mount Sterling, this drive-in campground provides a picturesque backdrop for nature enthusiasts. The campground boasts clearly marked sites for each reservation, ensuring you'll find your designated spot easily. There's a bathroom structure with running water, and two of the restrooms are wheelchair accessible, enhancing accessibility for all visitors. 

One thing to note is that reservations are essential, and this caught us off guard as we hadn't realized it needed to be done in advance. Unfortunately, finding a campground host or staff member can be a challenge, and the lack of internet connectivity near the campground makes it difficult to seek assistance for reservations. During our springtime visit, the flora along the creek was in full bloom, creating a stunning natural landscape. The temperature was perfect for outdoor activities, and the creek provided a soothing background soundtrack to our stay. Picnic tables were scattered throughout the campground and near the trailhead parking, offering a perfect spot to enjoy meals amidst nature's beauty. 

Big Creek Campground offers a plethora of hiking options, catering to various skill levels. For those seeking a challenge, the climb up to the firetower at Mount Sterling is a must-try adventure. However, be prepared to start early, as it's a full-day endeavor to ascend and descend before dark. Alternatively, you can opt for lower-elevation hikes along the creek, providing a more leisurely experience. Our visit was part of a loop, taking us from Mount Sterling to Tricorner Knob, then back via Cosby Knob and Mount Cammerer.

In summary, Big Creek Campground offers a serene camping experience by a beautiful creek, located at the northernmost tip of the Smoky Mountains. The amenities, including cold running water and well-maintained restrooms, enhance the overall stay. Just remember to make reservations in advance, and if you're up for a challenge, don't miss the climb to the Mount Sterling firetower. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a nature lover seeking a peaceful escape, this campground has something to offer everyone.

Even though the sites are walk-in sites, when I was there it was pretty crowded since the sites are close together.  At night, you can hear the distant sounds of the creek … if the other campers can stop talking.  This is not a campground for RVs.  There are no hookups and there are no places for RVs to park.  The thing I like best about this campground is its proximity to the Appalachian Trail and several other trails, including the Benton MacKaye Trail.  Midnight Hole, which is a 1.5 mile hike, is a great place to cool off.  Once you get there, you can swim to a big rock and jump off into a natural pool.  I believe this is the same place I took Boy Scouts many, many years ago and they loved it.  You just have to be careful because it is deep and COLD.  The trail to Mount Cammerer is quite strenuous, but the view is worth it.  Other than the great trails, the other attraction is the whitewater rafting.  There are a few outfitters just over the state line, and they shuttle rafters to the starting point beside the power station.  The one I used was NOC.  When I first came here years ago, I thought the river looked low, but by the time we put our raft in, the river was raging.  I think the most fun, besides the rafting, at this campground is playing on the rocks in the creek.  There is also a group camping area, which is separate from the family campground.  That is because they release the water just for rafting.  This campground is conveniently located off of Interstate 40 near the Tennessee and North Carolina state line. Once you get to the national park road leading to it, it is a 1.2 mile drive on a gravel road.