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Big Creek Horse Camp
NPSNational Park Service — North Carolina · Great Smoky Mountains National Park
| Agency | NPSNational Park Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
| Location | North Carolina · Great Smoky Mountains National Park · 35.75427, -83.10734 · Map |
| Sites | 5 public sites counted from the federal listing — 5 equestrian nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 5 sites Water hookups at 0 of 5 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 5 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 5 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 35 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 5 sites · 30 ft: 5 sites · 35 ft: 5 sites · 40 ft: 0 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| 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. |
| Check-in / out | In 1:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Accessible sites | 1 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 865-436-1261 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-08-14.
From the official listing
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.
Directions, from the listing
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
Nearest federal campgrounds
0 mi straight-line · North CarolinaFSU.S. Forest ServiceHarmon Den Campground
7 mi straight-line · Mars Hill North CarolinaNPSNational Park ServiceCataloochee Group Camp
7 mi straight-line · Waynesville North CarolinaNPSNational Park ServiceCataloochee Campground
9 mi straight-line · Waynesville North CarolinaNPSNational Park ServiceCataloochee Horse Camp
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Trip Card — Big Creek Horse Camp
North Carolina · Great Smoky Mountains National Park
| Agency | NPS · National Park Service |
|---|---|
| Location | North Carolina · Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
| 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 excee… |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 35 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 5 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232484 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.