The Deep Creek area is celebrated for its streams and waterfalls. Hikers can choose from several loop hikes leading to the waterfalls. Mountain bikers can take advantage of one of the few park trails where bicycles are permitted.

• Bicycling: Bicycles are allowed on Deep Creek and Indian Creek trails to the points where the old roadbeds end and the trail treads begin.

• Camping: Deep Creek camping is open from early April until late October. Group camping is also available. Reservations are available by calling (877) 444-6777 or visiting https://www.recreation.gov

Deep Creek Campground

We have been camping for years, and hands down Deep Creek is the best. I recommend calling at least 6 months ahead during the summer months to get a creekside spot. The location is just outside Bryson City NC. And offers fine dining and craft brewed beers from the Nantahala Brewing Co. Just 15 minutes from the NOC offering rafting zip lining, and mountain biking. I can't say enough good things about this Campground.

Best Campground in NC

The tent sites are located next to the creek and equipped with tent pad, fire pit, and picnic table. Drive through and select your site before paying to get a nice spot. The restrooms are clean but no showers. The creek is beautiful but can get busy on a sunny day with tubers floating down.

Next to a beautiful creek and some great hiking with several waterfalls!

The campground is full of tent sites and RVs accommodations w power. My fiancé and I set up a pop up tent and a two man tent to spend the first night. It was downhill from a bathroom, which was convenient, but the bathrooms didn’t have any light switches(?). So bring a headlamp. 
The campground is situated next to a ton of trails into the backcountry. You have to file a permit with the park rangers, just like any other backcountry trip. We went about 14 miles on our second day, spent the night alongside Deep Creek, and came back that morning. 
I gave the place 4 stars because there are no showers to bath in and no light switches in the bathroom. I understand there are no showers throughout the Smokies, but the light switches thing really ground my gears at midnight when I had to use the restroom. 

Amazing location alongside Deep Creek. 




I have been to several campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and this is one of my favorites except for one thing. I don’t like the bathroom facility. I can get over it not having showers or hot water, but I have to remember each time to take my own soap and towel if I want to wash my hands. Other than that, I love this campground. When I checked in, I had to use a pay station, the first time I’ve had to do that, and interaction with any rangers or hosts was nonexistent. I really don’t mind that since I want to get away from people(other than my own family and friends) when I camp. I was lucky enough to stay at this campground before the summer season kicks in fully. If you go during peak season, plan to be in the middle of dozens of campers, IF you can get a site. Some of the campsites are within spitting distance of each other, so be prepared to meet your neighbors. This campground is in the middle of a popular area, which is close to creek tubing and waterfall hiking. In the past, I have seen HUNDREDS of people tubing along the creek and the trails to the waterfalls are crowded. However, if you go before peak season hits, avoid the most popular times, and go on weekdays, crowds are no problem, and it is very peaceful. The tent sites beside the creek, have picnic tables, lantern posts, and tent pads. Fortunately, the gravel on the tent pads is shallow enough that you can drive tent stakes down if you need to. The RV sites are in a different section, and they have pull-through and back-in sites. There are no water, electricity, or sewer hookups, so if you are in an RV, be prepared to be self-contained. Across the creek is the picnic area, and down the road farther into the park there is a picnic shelter. Another few hundred yards down the national park road and you will come to a parking area. From there, you can hike to three waterfalls. The most popular of the waterfalls is Tom Branch Falls. You will find visitors there almost any time you go, but it will be even more crowded during the summer. I have never been to this waterfall when there were not people there, and I have been there at least a dozen times. Within a short driving distance, there are other attractions as well. The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad is downtown, the Road to Nowhere is a short drive out of town, and down the road there are several businesses where you can rent tubes for tubing on the creek. I will want to go back to this campground, but I do not want to go during peak season.

National Park Campground with Lots of Tubing, Waterfalls, Hikes, etc.

This tent campground has a parking lot and it is a short walk to sites. The closer you stay to the creek the less foot traffic you will have around you but instead you will be other campers foot traffic as you pass them to and from your car and to and from the bathroom. 

My husband and I stayed at site 29 with our daughter and her husband. There is little to no privacy between sites but it was still pleasant. Site 29 is close to creek on one side and on the edge on another side so less neighbors. 

Site 28 also looked good because it has a view of the creek.

There is a bathroom with flushing toilets and running water and sinks, no showers.

We think it would be a wonderful place to camp with family and friends because the sites are close and would be one big camp.

One short hike we did close by was the ‘Road to Nowhere’ trail very fun.

Creek side camping no showers but have cell service

I have been camping at Deep Creek for nearly four decades. We absolutely love tenting creekside! Advise a WAGON for hauling stuff from vehicle to site because these are NOT drive up spots. Bugs are generally not a big issue. Most sites are shaded. Bathrooms always clean, though they do show age. Don’t expect a lot of privacy, but do expect you and your family/friends/pets to make friends! Shower just outside park for $3. Coin laundry in Bryson City, along with plenty of shopping and food. I have camped here in June, July, August, and September, in multiple sites. Happy tubing! 

Our summer fave!

Deep Creek :
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer)
Overall Rating:  Loop D - for trailers. 3.75 Nice sites that are spaced pretty nicely.  Privacy between sites is only partial as there is not a lot of undergrowth .   Some of the sites on the outside of the loop - in upper portion of campground are terraced.   That said, best sites are on the outside of the loops.   We camped here a couple years ago and liked it.  We just drove through for these pics and review.  
Usage during visit: High as weekend is approaching .  
Site Privacy:  Fair to good. 
Site Spacing:    A few sites are very well spaced 
Site surface:    Blacktop 
Reservations:    Yes 
Campground Noise:   Fine.   Lots of children.
Road Noise: No e 
Through Traffic in campground:  no
Electric Hookup:   No 
Sewer Hookup:   No 
Dump Station:  Yes
Potable Water Available: Yes 
Bathroom: Yes 
Showers:     No
Pull Throughs:
Cell Service (AT&amp;T). 1 bar 
Setting:  Most sites are very shaded by deciduous forest.  
Weather:  Hot - 88
Solar:   No 
Host:  Present 
Sites:   Sites in the outside will be your best bet.
Nearby: Bryson City.   Ride the train through the Smokies.  Tubing galore very close.   General Store, firewood, ice AND ice cream nearby.   