Big Creek Backcountry Blitz.
Big Creek is the quiet corner of the park — a gentle old road grade in, two swimming holes, and a streamside backcountry site with almost none of the crowds you'd find at Cades Cove or Newfound Gap. Park the teardrop at the trailhead as your basecamp, pack light for two nights, and come back to a real bed and a stocked kitchen when you hike out. It's a great first backpacking trip: short enough to be forgiving, remote enough to feel real.
The Plan
Day 1 — Hike In to Walnut Bottom
Park at the Big Creek Trailhead and set out on Big Creek Trail, an old railroad grade that climbs gently along the creek. Stop for a swim at Midnight Hole (mile 1.4) and a look at Mouse Creek Falls (mile 2.0), then continue to backcountry Campsite #37 (Walnut Bottom) around mile 5.3. Hang food on the site's bear cable and settle in for the night.
Day 2 — Fire Tower or Rest Day
For a big second day, drop your pack and day-hike up Swallow Fork and Mount Sterling Ridge Trails to the Mount Sterling fire tower — a steep climb rewarded with a 360-degree view over the whole park. Prefer to take it easy? Fish the creek, read, and nap by the water instead — either way, you're back at Walnut Bottom for a second night.
Day 3 — Hike Out
Break camp and retrace your steps back down Big Creek Trail. Save time for one more swim at Midnight Hole before you reach the trailhead — it's the perfect reward before the drive home.
Trail Options
Midnight Hole & Mouse Creek Falls
A short out-and-back from the trailhead if you just want the two best swimming and photo stops without the full backpack.
Big Creek Trail to Walnut Bottom
The main event — a steady, gentle-grade approach along the creek to Campsite #37, the base for this whole trip.
Mount Sterling Fire Tower
A steep climb via Swallow Fork Trail to a working fire tower at 5,842 feet — one of the best panoramic views in the park.
Walnut Bottom Wander
No hike at all — just follow the creek near camp for pools to fish and flat rocks to sit on.
Meal Plan
Pack weight matters back here — plan meals around what's light and what actually cooks fast after a long day.
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Trail Snacks
- Freeze-dried fruit and high-calorie trail mix
- Jerky and hard summer sausage — shelf-stable and calorie-dense
- Nut butter packets for a fast sugar-and-fat boost on the Mount Sterling climb
- Electrolyte tablets or powder — sweat loss is real on the fire-tower push
- Energy bars or a homemade GORP mix pre-portioned into daily bags
Camp Downtime
Creekside Fishing
Big Creek holds wild rainbow and brook trout — pack a compact travel fly rod if you've got the room.
Lightweight Card Games
A travel deck of cards or a pocket cribbage board weighs almost nothing and fills the hours after dinner.
Swimming Holes
Midnight Hole and the pools around Walnut Bottom are the best cooldown after a sweaty climb.
Stargazing
No light pollution back here — this is dark-sky territory once the fire burns down.
Backcountry Basics
- A backcountry permit is required for all overnight stays — reserve online at recreation.gov ↗ before you go.
- Camp only at designated, numbered backcountry campsites like Campsite #37. See the Big Creek area page on nps.gov ↗ for trailhead details.
- Use the provided bear cable system at every site to hang all food, trash, and scented items.
- Treat or filter all water from the creek before drinking.
Haul Your Gear In Style.
Loading up for a backcountry trip? A KnoxDrops teardrop keeps packs, boots, and gear organized and dry at the trailhead before and after the trail.
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Lightweight, pack-friendly ingredients for the campfire, stove, and cold/no-cook meal plan above.
Meat, Fish & Dairy
- Cheese stick(s)
- Hard cheese (block)
- Hard salami
- Tuna packets
- Chicken packets
Pantry & Freeze-Dried
- Instant oatmeal packets
- Flour tortillas
- Peanut butter
- Honey packets
- Instant coffee
- Freeze-dried breakfast skillet
- Instant ramen
- Boil-in-bag freeze-dried dinners (2)
- Crackers
- Nut butter packets
- Freeze-dried fruit
- Trail mix
- Raisins, nuts & chocolate chips (for GORP)
- Energy bars
- Electrolyte tablets
Other
- Beef jerky
- Hard summer sausage
- Marshmallows
- Potatoes (optional, adds pack weight)
- Aluminum foil (if doing foil-pack)