Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

A Rural campground in North Carolina

🔔 Get Alerts 🎫 Reserve on Recreation.gov 🔊 Audio Overview PLUS+

Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) sits among the stunning landscapes of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina . With 25 campsites (RV-friendly up to 40 feet feet) , restrooms, potable water, great hiking, it's a favorite for rural adventurers.

Reservations are required year-round , and the best times to visit are Apr, Aug-Oct when the weather is most comfortable .

🌈 PurpleTents helps LGBTQ+ campers discover welcoming outdoor experiences here and across America.

🏕️ At a Glance

⛺ Sites: 25
🚙 Max RV: 40 feet ft
🏛️ Agency: National Park Service
🚻 Restrooms: Yes
💧 Water: Yes
🐕 Pets: Allowed
🚿 Showers: Yes
🥾 Hiking: Available
🦅 Birding: 100/100 (Mississippi Flyway)
⏱️ Stay Limit: 14 days
💲 Nightly Fee: $30-40
📅 Reservations: Required (Recreation.gov)
🌆 Best Seasons: Apr, Aug-Oct
📍 GPS: 35.7502, -83.1114
🆔 Facility ID: 273821

💳 Booking & Fees

📅 Reservations: Required - Book on Recreation.gov →
💵 Nightly Fee: $30-40
📋 Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations made 3+ days before arrival typically receive a refund minus service fees. Check Recreation.gov for specific policies and deadlines.

⏰ Stay Limit: 14 days
💡 Tip: Book early for peak season (Apr, Aug-Oct). Sites can fill up months in advance.

💧 Water Access & Features

🔒 PLUS+ Content
Unlock distance to water, flow data, water availability details, and safety information for this campground.
📏 Distance✅ Availability🗺️ All Sources💡 Safety Tips
Unlock with PLUS+ ✦$7/mo or $60/year (save 30%)

📸 Discover the Beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Wisps of fog hang over the forests in the mountains.
Kristina Plaas / NPS
Bright gold and red leaves shine through the fog in a forest.
NPS Photo / NPS
Gold and red fall colors fill the valleys while snow coats the mountain tops.
Sam Hobbs / NPS
Rhododendron bushes line the banks of a stream filled with large boulders.
Danielle Austen, Artist-in-Residence 2015 / NPS
Tombstones stand in front of a white, wooden church on a foggy morning.
Kristina Plaas / NPS
A thick layer of frost covers the fields, trees, and mountains in Cades Cove.
Kristina Plaas / NPS
A clear sky with a vast snowy mountain scene.
NPS / Bob Carr / NPS
A hillside in the forest covered with white trillium flowers
Kristina Plaas / NPS

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

Plan your trip during the optimal season for this campground.

🌞 Apr, Aug-Oct

🦅 Peak birding: Apr, May, Sep

🦌 Recent Wildlife Sightings

Recent wildlife observations near this campground from the iNaturalist community.

🔒 PLUS+ Content
Unlock real-time wildlife sightings from iNaturalist community scientists near this campground, including photos, species names, and observation dates.
🦅 Birds🦌 Mammals🦎 Reptiles📸 Photos
Unlock with PLUS+ ✦$7/mo or $60/year (save 30%)

Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) located in Mount Sterling, North Carolina, offering 25 camping sites.

🌌 Dark Sky Conditions

1Bortle
Light Pollution Scale
Pristine Dark Sky - The darkest skies available! Milky Way casts shadows, airglow visible.

Best Viewing Conditions:

🌑 Moon Phase: New moon ± 3 days
⏰ Best Time: 2+ hours after sunset
🌡️ Weather: Clear, low humidity
📅 Season: Fall/Winter typically clearer

Learn more: International Dark Sky Parks Guide | 2026 Astrotourism Calendar

Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

A Rural campground in North Carolina

🔔 Get Alerts
🎟 Reserve on Recreation.gov
📍 Directions

📍
Location
Mount Sterling, North Carolina
💰
Fees
$30-40
⏱
Stay Limit
14 days
🚌
Max RV Length
40 feet
🐾
Pets
Available
📡
Cell Coverage
Verizon: Fair
AT&T: Fair
T-Mobile: Poor

Overview

Baxter Creek Trail Begins Near the Campground and with an Elevation Gain of 4200′ From Trail Head to the Summit of Mt Sterling Provides a Strenuous Work Out for the Strongest of Hikers. Located at an Elevation of 1,700′ Big Creek Campground Is Surrounded by Picturesque Mountain Ranges and a Pristine Mountain Stream. Big Creek Is an Oasis for Hiking, Swimming, Wildlife, Fishing, and Relaxation. Wildlife Viewing Is a Popular Pastime, and with Around 1,500 Black Bear Living in the Park, It Is Not Uncommon for Visitors to Spot One.

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. This Is a Tent Only Campground with a Short Walk From the Parking Area. the Beautiful Flowing Waters of Big Creek Parallel the Campground Offering the Visitor a Pleasant Soundscape and Peaceful Beauty.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Is a Hiker’S Paradise, with Over 800 Miles of Maintained Trails Ranging From Short, Leg-Stretchers to Strenuous Treks. the Big Creek Area Offers Some of the Most Challenging Hikes Within the Park. the Nearby Big Creek Trail Offers a Pleasant Hike Along the Waters of Big Creek with a Beautiful Waterfall Along the Way.
Local Anglers Agree That Big Creek Offers Some of the Best Trout Fishing in the Area. Fly Fishing Is Particularly Good During Spring Months When Aquatic Insects Hatch in Large Numbers. the Park Is a Sanctuary for a Magnificent Array of Animal and Plant Life, All of Which Is Protected for Future Generations to Enjoy. Big Creek Campground Offers 12 Tent Only Campsites for a Traditional Outdoor Camping Experience with the Added Convenience of Flush Toilets and Drinking Water. There Are No Hookups or Showers at the Campground. There Is an Emergency Phone Available at the Big Creek Ranger Station Located 1 Mile From the Campground. No Generator Use or Recreational Vehicles Are Allowed in Big Creek Campground. There Is a Food Storage Locker Available for Public Use. Black Bear Sightings Are Not Uncommon and Some Lucky Visitors May Spot River Otter Playing in Big Creek.

Contact Info

for Facility Specific Information, Please Call (423) 487-2683.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby Attractions Include the Cataloochee Valley, Newport, Tn, Cosby Campground, Hartford Whitewater Rafting, the Appalachian Trail and the Max Patch/Pisgah National Forest.Managed by: National Park Service

Site Details

Campsite Information

  • Total Sites: 25
  • Hookup Types: Electric, No Hookups
  • Max RV Length: 40 feet

Amenities

  • 🚻 Restrooms: Available
  • 🚿 Showers: Available
  • 🗑️ Dump Station: No
  • 💧 Potable Water: Available
  • 🛝 Playground: No
  • 🧺 Laundry: False
  • 📶 WiFi: False
  • 🏊 Swimming: Available
  • 🎣 Fishing: Available
  • 🛥️ Boating: No
  • 🥾 Hiking: Available

Map & Location

Address & Coordinates

Address: Big Creek Campground

City: Mount Sterling, North Carolina 28785.0

Coordinates: 35.750198, -83.111397

Area Type: Rural

Phone: (423) 487-2683

Activities & Attractions

Popular Activities: Swimming|fishing|hiking|shower|hookups|water|river|trail|rv|tent

Available Activities:

  • 🎣 Fishing: Available
  • 🛥️ Boating: No
  • 🥾 Hiking: Available
  • 🏊 Swimming: Available

Regulations & Permits

🔥 Stay Limits & Fees

Maximum Stay: 14 days

Nightly Fee: $30-40

Federal Pass: Yes (50% discount)

📋 Reservations

Reservations: Yes

Book on Recreation.gov

🌤️ Weather & Climate

84.9°F
Summer High
30.1°F
Winter Low
50.49″
Annual Precip
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
Apr, Aug-Oct
Best Visit Time

📱 Connectivity

Verizon

Fair Signal

LTE

AT&T

Fair Signal

LTE

T-Mobile

Poor Signal

4G

📺 Television Reception

Major Networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, CW

Signal Quality: Fair

Total Stations: 12 stations

Nearest Market: Charlotte/Raleigh

Notes: Signals FROM Charlotte/Raleigh MARKET

📻 Radio Reception

Total Stations: 26 stations (8 AM, 18 FM)

AM Quality: Good | FM Quality: Good

Major Formats: Country, GOSPEL, Classic ROCK, NEWS/TALK

Local News: WBT 1110 Am

Market: Charlotte/Raleigh

Notes: 8 AM, 18 FM Stations from Charlotte/Raleigh

🔌 EV Charging

⚡ The Swag – Tesla Destination

Distance: 12.2 miles away

Address: 2300 Swag Rd, Waynesville, NC

Network: tesla-destination

Charging Type: Standard-charging-available • Tesla

Related & Cross-Links

Plan Your Visit

🔔 Sign up for Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) Alerts
🎟 Book Now
🏳️‍🌈 Join the North Carolina Crew
🛒 Shop North Carolina Gear

Essential Information

Park System Information

Park Classification & Structure

  • Park Type: National Parks
  • Parks Post Name: great-smoky-mountains-national-park
  • Parent Park Name: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Correct Park Type Mapping: great-smoky-mountains-national-park

System Statistics

  • Total Campgrounds in System: 31.0
  • States Covered: North Carolina, Tennessee
  • Managing Agencies: National Park Service

System IDs & References

  • Parent Organization ID: 128.0
  • Parent Recreation Area ID: 2739
  • Parks Parent Org IDs: 128.0
  • Parks Parent Rec Area IDs: 2739, 2739.0

URL Slugs & Navigation

  • State Slug: north-carolina
  • Agency Slug: national-park-service
  • Park Type Slug: national-parks
  • Parent Park Slug: great-smoky-mountains-national-park

Additional Park Information

Welcome to Great Smoky Mountains National Park! This Beautiful Destination Features 31 Campgrounds Across North Carolina, Tennessee. Managed by National Park Service, This Location Offers Incredible Camping Opportunities for Every Type of Outdoor Enthusiast.

Data Reference Notes

Managing Agency Slug: national-park-service

Explore More Camping Options

View all campgrounds in North Carolina | Browse our North Carolina camping guide

Other Campgrounds in This Park

Explore more camping options in the same park system:

273821 Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)