Big Creek Group Camp
Camp site features
Across 1 camp site:
- Fire pit: all 1 sites
- Picnic table: all 1 sites
- Pets allowed: all 1 sites
- Group sites: all 1 sites
- Largest party: 25 people
- Equipment: Tent
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.
Directions
Campground is at the end of Big Creek Entrance Rd. Waterville, NC, 28785 (Haywood County) Very close to the NC-TN State line.
The campground is located off I-40 Exit 451 (Waterville). It sixteen miles east of Newport, TN. Follow Waterville road, crossing over the Pigeon River, past the Walters Power Generating Station and continue one mile to the 4-way intersection at Mt Sterling Gap.
Follow the signs to Big Creek.
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 and horse camp. Group camp will be the last left turn immediately before hiker parking.
Use Mailing Address or coordinates if you're using GPS :
236 Big Creek Park Road
Newport, Tennessee, 37821
GPS coordinates are 35°45'08.4"N 83°06'33.4"W
35.752328, -83.109287
Stay Limit
Check in from 1 PM, check out by 12 PM.
Reviews
Katie E
Loop:Group Site
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
We absolutely loved the site. Very large, beautiful, and relaxing. Only down side was getting rained out both days. Would definitely stay again, in better weather.
Zach S
Loop:Group Site
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
Great little campground... far off the beaten path.
Kimberly J
Loop:Group Site
Site:
Reviewed 6 years ago
We stayed here April 2-4. I would have rated this 5 stars but when we arrived around 2:30pm on Friday (our reservation started at 1pm) the entrance gate to the Big Creek Group Camp was closed with a sign that read, "CLOSED FOR SEASON" and there were 2 cars parked in front of the gate. It was a bit stressful because we had 21 people in our group, just standing around trying to figure out what to do. We spoke to the rangers, who knew nothing, and then found the camp host (I think her name was Layla or Leela) and she was extremely helpful!! We ended up waiting around for about 2 hours before figuring out a way to drive around the trees, sidewalks, etc to get to our camp. In addition, the potable water at our camp site was not on, nor was the electricity in the bathroom. These were not turned on until Saturday afternoon. We made this reservation 2 months prior and I feel like the campsite should have been a bit more prepared. Other than those few things, we had a great time.
Weston D
Loop:Group Site
Site:
Reviewed 7 years ago
If you are looking for a great group camp site in a beautiful location on the edge of the Smokys set away from other campers, look no further. The site has lots of tent pads and is situated on a cul de sac with lots of large trees. It is adjacent to the site host and short walk to bathroom and wash basin. Some great short hikes nearby including Midnight Hole which has a big rock you can jump off into a deep river pool (water is chilly!) .
Popularity: Very busy
Busiest in November, when about 100% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 1 years of reservations.
Season dates
Peak season
May 28, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027
Reservable online
Peak season
May 26, 2028 – Sep 4, 2028
Reservable online




















