National Park Service · North Carolina

Big Creek Group Camp

National Park Service · North Carolina, United States · in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Open on the map Drive there Reserve Directions
Sites
1
Hookups
1 no hookups
Season
May 15 to October 25
Group sites
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Pets
Yes
Elevation
1,755 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 2
Cell coverage
AT&T good · T-Mobile none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Lake
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Nearest town
Mount Sterling
Address
NC
Phone
423-487-2683
Activities
Backpacking, Biking, Birding, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Picnicking, Wildlife Viewing

1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

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.

Recreation

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.

Facilities

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.

Natural Features

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

Charges & Cancellations

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.

Fees

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. Customers that check out early or do not plan to use their reservation MUST contact the campground office the day they leave or are due to check in, in order to receive a refund. Refund requests for early departure or non use of the site made AFTER the reservation has ended will be denied. Office phone numbers are given in the Facility Contact information for each campground.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January45°28°4°67°10 of 11
February56°34°17°75°10 of 11
March63°42°0°78°6 of 11
April70°46°31°83°2 of 11
May76°58°41°89°0 of 11
June82°64°52°93°0 of 11
July85°68°59°91°0 of 11
August84°68°59°91°0 of 11
September80°63°51°92°0 of 11
October69°46°32°82°1 of 10
November60°40°19°73°4 of 10
December52°33°15°69°9 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in North Carolina · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-08-14. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.