Gatlinburg, TN
Big Creek Campground
Big Creek Campground is a 12-site, tent-only facility in a remote corner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, Tennessee—accessible without a permit and bookable in advance for those seeking a quiet backcountry experience in a front-country setting.
All sites accommodate tents only, with a short walk from the parking area to reach your campsite. The campground offers flushing toilets and potable water, making it more comfortable than true backcountry camping while maintaining the solitude and natural surroundings.
Big Creek's flowing waters run alongside the campground, creating a tranquil backdrop for hiking, fishing, swimming, and wildlife observation. If this location fills, consider Cosby Campground or Abram's Creek Campground, other smaller tent-only options within the park.
Open Canyon detects cancellations at Big Creek in real time, so monitoring the platform puts you first in line if a reservation opens—critical for a 12-site location that books solid during peak season.
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Current Availability
The following dates have one or more sites available
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Last checked 25 minutes ago
Common Questions
What campers most often want to know about Big Creek Campground.
Do I need a permit to camp at Big Creek Campground?
No permit is required — Big Creek operates as a reservable front-country campground rather than a backcountry, permit-based site. You reserve a specific site in advance through Recreation.gov before you arrive. Since cell coverage is limited in this part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it's best to have your reservation locked in before you leave home.
What should I expect when I arrive at my site?
Big Creek is a tent-only campground, so you'll park in a shared lot and walk a short distance to your individual site. Despite its remote, backcountry-like feel, the campground has flush toilets and potable water available. Check in with the campground host and have your reservation number ready on arrival.
When is the best time to visit Big Creek Campground?
Spring is a popular window, when wildflowers bloom along the Big Creek Trail next to the campground. Big Creek is a smaller, seasonal campground that closes for the off-season and reopens once warmer weather returns, so reservations are only bookable during its operating months. Summer and fall also draw campers for hiking and swimming in the creek.
What's there to do near the campground?
Big Creek itself is the main draw, offering hiking, swimming, fishing, and wildlife viewing right alongside the campground. The Big Creek Trail leads past a well-known swimming hole to Mouse Creek Falls, a roughly 35-foot waterfall where Mouse Creek meets Big Creek. With hundreds of miles of maintained trails throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there's plenty more hiking accessible nearby.
How can Open Canyon help me get a site if the campground shows full?
Open Canyon watches Recreation.gov for cancellations across Big Creek's 12 sites and alerts you when one opens up. Because it's a small, tent-only campground, released reservations can be your best chance at a spot during busy stretches. Turning on alerts means you don't have to keep manually refreshing the booking calendar yourself.