How much does camping cost at Big Creek Horse Camp?

Camping fees at Big Creek Horse Camp range from $36/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Big Creek Horse Camp first-come first-served or reservation?

Big Creek Horse Camp accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Big Creek Horse Camp before I book?

Yes! Big Creek Horse Camp has 12 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Big Creek Horse Camp?

Big Creek Horse Camp is open May 15 to September 07. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Big Creek Horse Camp?

Big Creek Horse Camp does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Big Creek Horse Camp have?

Big Creek Horse Camp has 5 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Big Creek Horse Camp?

Yes, pets are allowed at Big Creek Horse Camp. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Big Creek Horse Camp?

Big Creek Horse Camp offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Big Creek Horse Camp?

Popular activities at Big Creek Horse Camp include Hiking, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Big Creek Horse Camp

Q: Can I have a campfire at Big Creek Horse Camp?

Fire policies at Big Creek Horse Camp: Firewood Restriction: Only heat-treated firewood bundled in its original packing and bearing a certification seal from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state department of agriculture may be brought into the park. This rule is strictly enforced. Campers may also collect dead and down wood in the park for campfires.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.14

35 reviews

236 Big Creek Park Road, Newport, Tennessee, 37821

Featured in:Best Campgrounds North Carolina

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,700 ft

Price

$36/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

5 campsites

Season

The campground opera...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,700 ft

Price

$36/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

5 campsites

Season

The campground opera...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Big Creek Horse Camp

$36.00 - $36.00 / night

Campsite Fees

EQUESTRIAN NONELECTRIC: $36.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

865-436-1261Dawn_Pekarchick@nps.gov

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Big Creek Horse Camp

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Campground Map

236 Big Creek Park Road, Newport, Tennessee, 37821

Big Creek Horse Camp

236 Big Creek Park Road, Newport, Tennessee, 37821

Nearby places

Newport, Tennessee (16 miles, approximately 20-25 minutes drive)

Driving directionsThe campground is located off I-40 Exit 451 (Waterville), approximately 16 miles east of Newport, TN. Follow Waterville Road, cross the Pigeon River, pass 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.

Weather at Big Creek Horse Camp

Current alerts(12)

A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required to fish in the park. Special regulations apply in the park.
A reservation is required for all horse camps and you MUST have a horse to camp here. A maximum of 6 people and 4 horses may occupy a campsite. All horses must be accompanied by a negative Coggins test. The park stay limit is 14 consecutive days.
A valid parking tag is required for any vehicle parking for more than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Front country campers parked at their designated campsite will not be required to have a parking tag.
Caution: Bear Habitat! Bears and other wildlife frequent the area. All food and equipment used to prepare and store food (even when empty, and even if certified as bear resistant) must be kept in a sealed vehicle or camping unit of solid, non-pliable material AT ALL TIMES when…

Best Time to Camp at Big Creek Horse Camp

Best season: spring. Spring offers the best combination of cool riding weather, dramatic waterfalls, and wildflower displays—ideal for equestrian trail riding and photography. Expect daytime highs roughly 55–75°F and nights in the 40s–50s (late May–June), with higher creek flows that make falls and streams especially scenic. Trails are less crowded than peak summer, the horse camp’s potable water and toilets are open beginning May 23, and wildlife (including songbirds and deer) is very active. Peak months: June, May, July, August Avoid: September, October, November, December

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring praised for wildflowers, strong creek flows and excellent trout fishing (late spring/early summer).

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 15 to September 07. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: The campground operates on a seasonal basis, opening May 23 and closing September 3 during peak season. Reservations are required.

About Big Creek Horse Camp

Big Creek Horse Camp sits in the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a National Park Service equestrian facility near Newport, Tennessee. This very small primitive campground serves riders exploring the park's backcountry trail system, with designated stalls, flush toilets, and potable water. Visitors come for spring wildflower rides, waterfall access, and wildlife viewing along less-traveled park routes.

Big Creek Horse Camp is a specialized campground designed exclusively for horse campers. Other types of camping accommodations, such as standard tent-only sites or cabins, are not available.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: spring. Spring offers the best combination of cool riding weather, dramatic waterfalls, and wildflower displays—ideal for equestrian trail riding and photography. Expect daytime highs roughly 55–75°F and nights in the 40s–50s (late May–June), with higher creek flows that make falls and streams especially scenic. Trails are less crowded than peak summer, the horse camp’s potable water and toilets are open beginning May 23, and wildlife (including songbirds and deer) is very active. Peak months: June, May, July, August Avoid: September, October, November, December

Elevation1700 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryBig Creek rushes past campsites carved into the ancient Appalachian ridges. The surrounding hardwood forest shelters moss-covered boulders and feeder streams that build into waterfalls downstream. Morning mists reveal layers of blue-hazed ridges to the horizon. Spring brings trilliums, bloodroot, and violets to the forest floor. The elevation keeps temperatures moderate even in summer, and the rolling terrain offers both creekside paths and steeper climbs into the surrounding peaks.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no hotel-style accommodations within the campground. It is designed specifically for primitive camping with horses.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 6 people and 4 horses per campsite.

Groups

There is no indication of group camping sites within Big Creek Horse Camp.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov online or via the app. Phone reservations can be made by calling the facility-specific contact number.

AccessibilityAccessible flush toilets and accessible campsites are mentioned in the listed amenities, indicating some level of accessibility for visitors.

Site SizeThe campsites are noted as large and provide plenty of space for campers and their vehicles or trailers.

PrivacyPrivacy levels are not specifically mentioned, though the large size of the sites may contribute to a feeling of spaciousness.

Total Campsites5 campsites

Recommended SitesNo explicit advice is provided for selecting specific sites.

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Recreation.gov Guide

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Amenities available

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!

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers a range of activities centered around equestrian use, as well as hiking and fishing. The proximity to the Big Creek trailhead and the Appalachian Trail makes it an excellent location for outdoor enthusiasts.

Hiking

Fishing

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Food Storage RequiredFood storage lockers are provided to prevent wildlife encounters, particularly with bears.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyFirewood Restriction: Only heat-treated firewood bundled in its original packing and bearing a certification seal from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state department of agriculture may be brought into the park. This rule is strictly enforced. Campers may also collect dead and down wood in the park for campfires.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10 p.m to 6 a.m

Trash & RecyclingCampers are required to promptly dispose of garbage in the dumpsters provided. All food and scented items must be stored securely to prevent wildlife encounters.

Cell CoverageThe availability of cell phone service is not explicitly mentioned in authoritative materials.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.1

35 reviews

Satisfactory

Big Creek Horse Camp is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground as a favorable destination for horse camping, citing its cleanliness and horse accommodations as positives. However, some users express frustration with hikers overtaking the area and parking challenges.

Review Summaries

Based on 35 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive mentions include clean bathrooms, well-maintained horse stalls, and beautiful surroundings. Several reviewers specifically praised the 'beautiful trails' and 'clean campground.'

Based on 35 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include overgrown vegetation, lack of enforcement of parking rules, and inappropriate use of the horse camp area by hikers. One reviewer mentioned that the site numbering system could be...

Based on 35 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific comments include praise for Campsite 3 (‘great facilities, beautiful park’) and frustration with the confusing numbering system for Campsite 2 (‘close to the day-use parking or bathroom...

Based on 35 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend arriving early to secure good parking and being prepared for potential conflicts with non-campers using nearby trails. It’s suggested to contact the forest service if issues arise.

Based on 35 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring is particularly praised for its wildflower blooms and trout fishing. Complaints about overgrown areas and vegetation tend to occur during summer. Late fall and winter see fewer visitors,...

Based on 35 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'We LOVE BIG CREEK! It is our favorite horse camp. HIGHLY recommend it.' – Allyson A. 2. 'The horse camp was extremely grown up and had not been mowed in what appeared to be a long time.' –...

Based on 35 reviews