Openings · last 7 days
0
Availability is not tracked here yet
Campsite Sniper does not currently hold availability data for Big Creek Campground (great Smoky Mountains National Park). That is a gap in what Campsite Sniper tracks — it does not mean the facility is full, closed, or unavailable. Recreation.gov may well be showing open dates right now.
The site details and map below come from the public Recreation.gov record and are accurate. For current dates and to book, go to Recreation.gov.
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-273821
When Big Creek Campground (great Smoky Mountains National Park) reopens
Big Creek Campground (great Smoky Mountains National Park)'s openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
76
Openings · last 90 days
179
Weekday pattern
Detected openings by day of week · 90dThursday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected. 55 of 179 openings detected in the last 90 days occurred on a Thursday (30.7%), with Saturday (29) and Tuesday (25) next in line.
Hour-of-day pattern
First detected by hour · local time · last 90 daysThe largest concentrations of detected openings were first detected during the 02:00 and 11:00 local-time hours. Those hours contained 60 of 179 detected openings (33.5%). Hours show when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, in Eastern Time, not when the change was made upstream.
Lead-time profile
Days before stay date · percentilesHalf of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 9 days before the stay date; the middle 50% land 3–16.5 days out. Set an alert if you want Campsite Sniper to monitor future openings.
Highest-churn sites
Most openings · 90d| Site | Openings | Share of all openings |
|---|---|---|
| 011 | 32 | 17.9% |
| 008 | 25 | 14.0% |
| 007 | 18 | 10.1% |
| 001 | 16 | 8.9% |
| 012 | 16 | 8.9% |
Site 011 had the most detected openings in the last 90 days: 32. One free watch covers every site here.
About Big Creek Campground (great Smoky Mountains National Park)
Overview
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. Big Creek is an oasis for hiking, swimming, wildlife, fishing, and relaxation.
Recreation
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. 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. 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. 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. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.
Facilities
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.
Natural Features
Located at an elevation of 1,700' Big Creek Campground is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges and a pristine mountain stream. Black Bear sightings are not uncommon and some lucky visitors may spot River Otter playing in Big Creek.
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.
12 monitored sitesRVs up to 18 ftNo hookups12 shadedPets OKFire pitsMax party 6
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.
107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738865-436-1261
BoatingCampingFishingHikingVisitor CenterWater SportsWildlife Viewing
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
02 · Field Photos · roll CS-273821 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-273821 · Big Creek Campground (great Smoky Mountains National Park) · Gatlinburg TN12 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Big Creek Campground (great Smoky Mountains National Park)?
Online reservations for this facility, where offered, are made through Recreation.gov. Campsite Sniper has also detected 179 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper does not currently hold availability data for Big Creek Campground (great Smoky Mountains National Park), so there is nothing to date here. That is a gap in coverage — it does not mean the facility is full or closed. Check Recreation.gov for current dates.
How often do new openings appear at Big Creek Campground (great Smoky Mountains National Park)?
Campsite Sniper detected 179 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Which day of the week had the most detected openings at Big Creek Campground (great Smoky Mountains National Park)?
Thursday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected in the last 90 days: 55 of 179 (30.7%). Days reflect when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, not when the change occurred upstream.
Which sites at Big Creek Campground (great Smoky Mountains National Park) fit a 35-foot RV?
No RV-analyzable site here has a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 18 ft. 8 of those 12 sites have a recorded maximum length and 4 do not; they are not counted as fitting.
How far ahead of a stay do openings appear at Big Creek Campground (great Smoky Mountains National Park)?
Half of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 9 days before the stay date; the middle 50% landed 3-16.5 days out. Campsite Sniper can monitor future changes for dates you select.
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