Established Camping
Big Creek Horse Camp — Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Big Creek Horse Camp is located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, featuring forested terrain and mountain views. The area experiences temperature highs around 85°F in summer and lows near 20°F in winter. Nearby attractions include the Appalachian Trail and the scenic Big Creek Trail, offering opportunities for hiking and exploration.
Description
National Park Service
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Overview
The only horse camp in the Great Smoky Mountains with potable water and flushing toilets! Pack up your horses for a getaway at Big Creek Horse Camp, located on far northeastern side of Smoky Mountains National Park, approximately 16 miles from Newport, Tennessee. This campsite sits along the gently rolling waters of Big Creek and offers miles of horse trails with breathtaking scenic backdrops. You MUST have a HORSE to camp in Big Creek Horse Camp!
Recreation
The rolling terrain surrounding the campsite makes for some of the best horseback riding trails in the park. Numerous trails are accessible from Big Creek and for riders looking for a little hiking, the Appalachian Trail can be easily reached via the 2.1 mile Chestnut Branch Trail, located within walking distance from the camp. Day Use horse area- so invite your horse riding friends and family for a fun day even if they don't want to camp with you. Campers can also enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams that snake through the mountains, with Rainbow and Brook trout available in abundance, particularly during spring months.
Natural Features
At a 1,700 foot elevation, Big Creek provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. The camp is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges and pristine mountain streams. Nearby Mouse Creek Falls, a 35 foot waterfall forming at the confluence of Mouse Creek and Big Creek, is reachable by horseback or on foot via the Big Creek trailhead located on-site. The beautiful falls splits over moss covered rocks and falls about 20 ft. before pooling and falling another 15 ft. into Big Creek. The falls can be reached via the Big Creek Trail, which is covered in wildflowers during spring months.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (865) 487-2683.
Nearby Attractions
The Big Creek Group Campground is located nearby, with plenty of space for larger groups. Full service grocery stores and medical facilities are located 16 miles away in Newport, Tennessee.
Fee Info
Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Customers that check out early or do not plan to use their reservation MUST contact the campground office the day they leave or are due to check in, in order to receive a refund. Refund requests for early departure or non use of the site made AFTER the reservation has ended will be denied. Office phone numbers are given in the Facility Contact information for each campground.
Location
Big Creek Horse Camp — Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in North Carolina
Directions
The campground is located off I-40 Exit 451 (Waterville). It sixteen miles east of Newport, TN. Follow Waterville road, crossing over the Pigeon River, past the Walters Power Generating Station and continue one mile to the 4-way intersection at Mt Sterling Gap. \_\_Follow the signs to Big Creek. Drive up Big Creek Park Road. Shortly after passing the Ranger Station, take the first left turn into the horse camp. Coordinates: 35\_\_45'15.7\"N 83\_\_06'25.8\"W 35.754361, -83.107167 Mailing Address: (Do not use GPS directions by name) 236 Big Creek Park Road Newport, Tennessee, 37821
Coordinates
35.7597222 N
83.1041667 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiGood
- VerizonAvailable
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobilePoor
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Fires
