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Established Camping

Big Creek Group Camp — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Big Creek Group Camp is located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, surrounded by forested terrain and rolling hills. Temperatures range from 30°F in winter to 85°F in summer, offering varied conditions for camping throughout the year. Nearby attractions include the Appalachian Trail and the scenic Big Creek Trail, providing opportunities for hiking and exploration.

Description

National Park Service

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Overview

Big Creek Group Camp is located in the far northeastern corner of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near the Tennessee-North Carolina border. With the gentle waters of Big Creek running alongside the site, and a handful of trailheads within walking distance, this campsite offers an ideal setting for group camping excursions.

Recreation

Numerous hiking and horseback riding trails are accessible from the campground and in the surrounding areas. Most notably, the Appalachian Trail is easily reached via the Chestnut Branch Trail, a 2.1 mile trail for hikers only, beginning down the road from the campground. Nearby Baxter Creek Trail meanders along the water, while equestrian campers might enjoy taking the Big Creek Trail to Mouse Creek Falls or Midnight Hole, an area where Big Creek squeezes between large boulders, forming a deep, beautifully-colored pool. Compared to some other areas of the park, Big Creek is not crowded with anglers. Spring provides ideal conditions for fly fishing on Big Creek, with Rainbow and Brook trout looking for the aquatic insects which hatch during this time.

Natural Features

Big Creek Group Camp is nestled among the scenic mountains and pristine streams surrounding the big creek section of the North Carolina Smokies. Nearby Mouse Creek Falls, a 35 foot waterfall forming at the confluence of Mouse Creek and Big Creek, is a stunning geological feature of the area. The 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.

Nearby Attractions

The Big Creek Horse Camp is located nearby, with horse stables and riding trails available. Full service grocery stores and medical facilities are located 16 miles away in Newport, Tennessee.

Charges & Cancellations

Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.

Fee Info

Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use 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.

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Location

Big Creek Group Camp — Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in North Carolina

Detail location of campground

Directions

Campground is at the end of Big Creek Entrance Rd. Waterville, NC, 28785 (Haywood County) Very close to the NC-TN State line. 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. The 4 way intersection is composed of Big Creek Campground Road and Waterville Rd (from I-40) + Mt. Sterling Road (from Cataloochee) + Hwy 32 (from Cosby) Drive up to the end of Big Creek Entrance Road. You will pass the Ranger Station and horse camp. Group camp will be the last left turn immediately before hiker parking. Use Mailing Address or coordinates if you're using GPS :236 Big Creek Park Road Newport, Tennessee, 37821 GPS coordinates are 35\_\_45'08.4\"N 83\_\_06'33.4\"W 35.752328, -83.109287

Coordinates

35.7522222 N
83.1088889 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
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  • WiFi
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Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

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General Info

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are fires allowed at Big Creek Group Camp — Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Big Creek Group Camp — Great Smoky Mountains National Park, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Big Creek Group Camp — Great Smoky Mountains National Park have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Big Creek Group Camp — Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not have wifi.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Big Creek Group Camp — Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Big Creek Group Camp — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Big Creek Group Camp — Great Smoky Mountains National Park, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Big Creek Group Camp — Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

    There are 1 campsites at Big Creek Group Camp — Great Smoky Mountains National Park and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts