Big Creek Horse Camp

Show on map 865-436-1261 dawn_pekarchick@nps.gov

Overview

The only horse camp in the Great Smoky Mountains with potable water and flushing toilets!

Pack up your horses for a getaway at Big Creek Horse Camp, located on far northeastern side of Smoky Mountains National Park, approximately 16 miles from Newport, Tennessee. This campsite sits along the gently rolling waters of Big Creek and offers miles of horse trails with breathtaking scenic backdrops.

You MUST have a HORSE to camp in Big Creek Horse Camp!

Recreation

The rolling terrain surrounding the campsite makes for some of the best horseback riding trails in the park. Numerous trails are accessible from Big Creek and for riders looking for a little hiking, the Appalachian Trail can be easily reached via the 2.1 mile Chestnut Branch Trail, located within walking distance from the camp.

Day Use horse area- so invite your horse riding friends and family for a fun day even if they don't want to camp with you.

Campers can also enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams that snake through the mountains, with Rainbow and Brook trout available in abundance, particularly during spring months.

Facilities

Big Creek Horse Camp is fairly primitive, providing only the basic amenities, but an unforgettable outdoors experience. The sites are large and the facility does offer flush toilets, drinking water and plenty of shade.

Since horses are not permitted in the camping area, horse stalls and hitching rails are provided to guests.

There are no hookups or showers at the campground, but water is available from the campground spigot.

You MUST have a HORSE to camp in Big Creek Horse Camp!

Natural Features

At a 1,700 foot elevation, Big Creek provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. The camp is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges and pristine mountain streams.

Nearby Mouse Creek Falls, a 35 foot waterfall forming at the confluence of Mouse Creek and Big Creek, is reachable by horseback or on foot via the Big Creek trailhead located on-site.

The beautiful 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 Group Campground is located nearby, with plenty of space for larger groups.

Full service grocery stores and medical facilities are located 16 miles away in Newport, Tennessee.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (865) 487-2683.

Camp site features

Across 5 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 5 sites
Picnic table: all 5 sites
ADA accessible: 1 of 5 sites
Longest RV: 35 ft
Largest party: 6 people

Fees

Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service 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

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. Drive up Big Creek Park Road. Shortly after passing the Ranger Station, take the first left turn into the horse camp. Coordinates: 35°45'15.7"N 83°06'25.8"W 35.754361, -83.107167 Mailing Address: (Do not use GPS directions by name) 236 Big Creek Park Road Newport, Tennessee, 37821

Stay Limit

Check in from 1 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

10 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

Mica B

Loop:Horse Camp 1-5

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

The camp host and the park ranger were so helpful. We camp there a lot and just love it. It’s great having a bathroom there as well.

Kemp A

Loop:Horse Camp 1-5

Site:

Reviewed 3 years ago

Excellent facility. Been there before will be back. It does need a ramp to unload the wheelbarrow into the trailers.

Kim A

Loop:Horse Camp 1-5

Site:

Reviewed 5 years ago

Love camping there with our horses! Campground and bathrooms were super clean. THANK YOU!!

Doyle N

Loop:Horse Camp 1-5

Site:

Reviewed 5 years ago

Great facilities, beautiful park. Occasionally someone will try to steal your catalytic converter.

Cheyenne B

Loop:Horse Camp 1-5

Site:

Reviewed 5 years ago

The horse camp was extremely grown up and had not been mowed in what appeared to be a long time. Walnut bottoms was the most overgrown I have seen it in years. The horse stall area and bathrooms were in good shape, but everything just appeared to be overgrown.

Kathy C

Loop:Horse Camp 1-5

Site:

Reviewed 5 years ago

Nice campground. Clean bathroom. But the reservation system is whack. The site numbers are stupid as hell: 1,1,2,2,3,4,5,6. How about 1-8 ? We reserved 2 (having never been there) and found it close to the day use parking area or close to the bathroom depending which site #2. Some sites have “reserved” signs but these are not temporary, they are screwed to the posts. Site 6 had no reserved sign so we moved there and no on ever came by to check out our legitimacy. It’s a pretty campground with nice hiking but the reservation system could use an overhaul. Also Internet said “tents only” but horse campers that came in all had RVs

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve