Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: Gatlinburg, NC, NC
Price: From $30 per night
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (159 reviews)
Season: May through October
Big Creek Campground is located in a remote portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Backcountry camping in a front country setting. There are flushing toilets and potable water.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Electric Hookups, Bear Boxes, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/big-creek-campground-great-smoky-mountains-national-park to be notified when sites open up.
Big Creek offers backcountry camping in a front country setting within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with the beautiful flowing waters of Big Creek providing a peaceful soundscape alongside opportunities for hiking, fishing, swimming, and wildlife viewing.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear present in the area — campground provides bear boxes for food storage. Also watch for American Elk, North American River Otters, and Ruffed Grouse.
Insider tips for Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park): Book early — this is a federal campground with only 12 sites and high demand. This is tent-only camping with a short walk from parking, so pack light and leave RVs home. Bring a self-contained unit or be prepared to tent camp — there are no hookups available.
Skip Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) if: You need electrical hookups — campground has no hookups at most sites.. You're visiting outside May-October — seasonal operations only.. You have an RV or large vehicle — this is a tent-only campground..
Best time to visit Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park): May through October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only, as specified by NPS..
Nearby campgrounds: Big Creek Group Camp (Waynesville, NC), Cosby Group Camp (Cosby, TN), Cosby Picnic Pavilion (Cosby, TN), Cataloochee Group Camp (Waynesville, NC).
Cell Phone Coverage at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
Cell signal at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) (Gatlinburg, NC): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Big Creek Campground is located in a remote portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Backcountry camping in a front country setting. There are flushing toilets and potable water.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 12 sites and high demand.
This is tent-only camping with a short walk from parking, so pack light and leave RVs home.
Bring a self-contained unit or be prepared to tent camp
there are no hookups available.
Campground operates seasonally during these months only, as specified by NPS.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Campground is at the end of Big Creek Entrance Rd. Waterville, NC, 28785 (Haywood County) GPS coordinates are 35°45'00.3"N 83°06'38.6"W 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, horse camp, group camp, and hiker parking.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Great Smoky Mountains National Park fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Great Smoky Mountains National Park before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) cost per night?+
What season is Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) open?+
Does Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)?+
How do I make reservations at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)?+
What is the cell service like at Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)?+
What season is Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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