Big Creek Campground (great Smoky Mountains National Park)

Big Creek Campground is located in a remote portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park - backcountry camping in a front country setting. This is a tent-only campground, 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, and Big Creek is an oasis for hiking, swimming, wildlife, fishing and relaxation. There are 12 tent-only campsites, with the added convenience of flush toilets and drinking water. There are no hookups or showers. No generator use or recreational vehicles are allowed in the campground. A food storage locker is available for public use, and there is an emergency phone at the Big Creek Ranger Station, one mile from the campground. 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, and 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 4,200 feet 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. Some lucky visitors may spot river otter playing in Big Creek. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy. Located at an elevation of 1,700 feet, Big Creek Campground is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges and a pristine mountain stream. Nearby attractions include the Cataloochee Valley, Newport, TN, Cosby Campground, Hartford Whitewater Rafting, the Appalachian Trail and Max Patch/Pisgah National Forest.