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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.
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.
Big Creek Group Camp offers an unforgettable outdoor experience combined with the convenience of flush toilets, drinking water and sinks.
The campsite can accommodate up to 25 guests and tent pads, grills and fire rings are provided. The site is surrounded by a heavy canopy of towering forest, providing plenty of shade for guests.
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.
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.
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.
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**
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.
Great location for several hiking options. The campgrounds are nice and affordable. There's group, horse and family areas apart from each other. Because of the easy access point it is busy. But once you get in a few miles on the trail traffic tapers off. The Big Creek Trail has several access points for solitude and a quiet secluded creekside day. Expect lots of horse manure on BCT but the Benton and AT have amnesty in this regard.
Big Creek group campground was beautiful! You're pretty much alone except the camp host being right there and it was a park ranger who was super nice. The bathroom was always clean, there were trails nearby and we had enjoyed having all that space of the campground.
Nice campground. Clean bathroom. Quiet. Dog loved it. Lots of places around to explore even if he could not go the trails.
Spent the day and hiked up to Mouse creek and stopped at a number of beautiful spots along the way. Very easy walk but sometimes tricky to get to creek due to steep rocks and roots. But a blast for the kids. Bring swim gear for midnight falls swim hole.
The bathrooms were clean and adequate.
One of the best campgrounds. All campsites are by the Big creek and are all well maintained.
Has restrooms and water supply.
Have to park your car in the parking lot and carry your stuff to camp sites which is like a minute walk.
You can swim, fish or just relax listening to the creek .
Lots of hiking trails right from the camp ground.
