Posted in North Carolina May 14, 2019 by

Spend A Weekend In The Smoky Mountains At This Creekside Campground In North Carolina

If you love roughing it just a little when you camp, then start making plans to head to the Smokies for a weekend trip to remember. The Big Creek Area is considered one of the most sought-after spots to explore in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – and this campground is deep in the heart of Big Creek country.

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It's located right ON scenic Big Creek.
Google/Michael Daughtery
The seasonal campground is small and rustic (think flushing toilets — but no showers) and offers an immersion experience in the Smoky Mountains you won't find at many other campgrounds.
For starters, the campground only offers tent camping.
Google/Jamie Roszel
You'll need to forego the trailer or RV to enjoy this unspoiled spot deep in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Furthermore, there are no electric hookups, so you'll need to charge your cell phone in your vehicle. But that doesn't mean there's any cell service...
In spite of the remote location and the pristine spot only steps from the soothing waters of the creek, Big Creek Campground is very well known and popular.
Google/Nick Lemke
There are only 12 tent sites available and the campground is only open seven months of the year. Getting to stay in this campground that's part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires some advance planning.
And you may want to do a little research if you're not exactly accustomed to camping in the mountains of North Carolina.
Google/Bryan Layman
Fortunately, the campground has a few amenities to make sharing the space with the area's wildlife a little easier. Food lockers, for instance, are available to help keep your tasty food from attracting hungry bears. Additionally, even though there are no showers, there is running water as well as sinks for washing dishes.
Once you've secured your food (a.k.a. the bear bait) in a locker, hit the nearby trails.
alltrails/Staci Janssen
The famed Big Creek Trail begins right here at the campground. The trail is 10.4 miles out and back. But at just 1.4 miles into the trail...
...you'll reach the emerald lagoon known as Midnight Hole.
Google/Cauphy Nex
The whole family will have fun in this hidden swimming hole along the Big Creek Trail. Learn more about it in this previous article!
Want to secure camping dates for a family trip to remember?
Google / maps

Big Creek Campground is open seasonally from March through October 27, 2019. The current rate is $17.50 per night and there’s a limit of six persons per campsite. Learn more and make a reservation at this link on Recreation.gov.

Address: Big Creek Entrance Road, Newport, NC, 37821 (note: some GPS systems may have it listed as Newport, TN)