Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area$20
Bandy Creek
Total sites: 146
Available Tonight: 135
Available this Weekend: 120
Booking Window: 6 months
Available Tonight: 135
Available this Weekend: 120
Booking Window: 6 months
1,562 ft
82°F
67°F
67°F
weak
Bandy Creek Campground, Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, TN - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map
Bandy Creek Campground is part of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area in Tennessee (1 hr 31 min northwest of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 1,562 feet. Bandy Creek Campground is rated 4.7 stars from 547 reviews. There are a total of 146 campsites including 37 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 109 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 73 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 95 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $140.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, accessible, playground, swimming, restroom, trash dumpster, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)
Campsite Reviews (557)
4.7 out of 5
| 5 star | 75% | |
| 4 star | 18% | |
| 3 star | 3% | |
| 2 star | 1% | |
| 1 star | 1% |
@SaraN410750D52 · Camped on Jul 19, 2025 at Campsite #A4
Great place to tent camp! Bathhouse was well cleaned and maintained as were the sites. Want to go back!
@TaylorA9216779 · Camped on Jul 18, 2025 at Campsite #A21
We left early due to weather, but the campground is nice and peaceful. The showers were warm and clean, too. Only issue I would bring up is that the park feels woefully understaffed now.
@TimM9090024 · Camped on Jul 12, 2025 at Campsite #B10
Nice Bike ride
@LeahS2976135 · Camped on Jul 11, 2025 at Campsite #B13
Pool, shower, water and electric. One of the best NPS campgrounds weve been to.
@KelliF940C07C5 · Camped on Jul 5, 2025 at Campsite #A3
I took my two daughters, ages 17 and 13, camping for the first time and this is where we chose to go. After driving all day, we finally made it in and got our tent set up but we didnt have time to see anything before it was dark so we booked our spot for another night. In the middle of the first night (2am) we woke up to people having a domestic dispute right beside our campsite. It was so scary and my girls have never heard a fight like that. We waited in the tent until the woman walked away and the man drove after her and I got my girls in the car and we left. We came back a couple hours later and I got our tent in the car and left again. I called the next day and requested a refund because that was terrible. They did refund the second night but not the first night. I would not stay here again.
@KeithK37F7EF9E · Camped on Jul 4, 2025 at Campsite #D8
Great place. Host was super nice. Loved the pool.
@Christoph90008 · Camped on Jul 4, 2025 at Campsite #C26
Great campground, level sites, great water pressure, clean bathrooms, highly recommend. Great mountain biking and hiking trails
@TeddyBFFE03D65 · Camped on Jul 3, 2025 at Campsite #A35
Me and my wife visited Bandy creek in early July (weekend of the 4th). We had stayed in a cabin at the nearby Pickett CCC state memorial park about a year prior on our honeymoon, so we decided we wanted to try out tent camping at Big South Fork since we had heard that it was a nice park and we loved the atmosphere of Pickett. Also, we camped earlier this year at Rock Creek Campground in Obed Wild, which had primitive tent camping and facilities.The area around BSF and Bandy creek had many of the same things that we loved about Pickett (aside from proximity to natural water... yes, even though it is in the name, the campground is actually quite far from bandy creek). Obed Wild also had nearby water access, but its facilities were far inferior. My wife has been pregnant for both tent camping trips (at Obed - before we knew we should be expecting - and Bandy Creek), so the fully plumbed bathrooms at Bandy creek were much appreciated. The flushing toilets were far superior to the outhouses at Rock Creek, and there were also showers. Our campsite was EXTREMELY close to the bath house (intentionally), but if we return, I think I would reserve one of the sites A44-A48 because they have a bit more privacy, and the back of the site faces the woods rather than being sandwiched between another campsite, the road, and the bath house like we were in A35. I would also warn that there are limited free outdoor activities around Bandy creek. There are some trails, but they are either quite bland or rather long (the best trails seem to require a drive to visit). Nonetheless, there is a pool that only costs $3 for a day pass which we felt was reasonable, and the pool was kept very clean. It is a 3-5ft pool with a secondary, shallower "kiddie pool" but I don't know if it has a zero entry area, sorry. The camp store had everything we needed and more. Bandy Creek would be a 5 star site, but we encountered a lot of bugs on our visit, and we wanted to enjoy more outdoor activities.
@PaulP7190708 · Camped on Jun 22, 2025 at Campsite #C30
Great place. Lots to do and see. WiFi and cell service is horrible
@JamesM9879118 · Camped on Jun 15, 2025 at Campsite #D37
Excellent choice for anyone. Clean, efficient, organized. There is a section/loop for everyone's needs. Spacious spots, good internet, quiet, scenic, and easy. Be sure you understand the road conditions to get there before you book.
@SherriW4666338 · Camped on Jun 15, 2025 at Campsite #A33
Amazing,peaceful campground! Enjoyed every minute.
@MaureenR387559 · Camped on Jun 10, 2025 at Campsite #C27
Wonderful Park employees and clean beautiful park!!
@DavidM1864120 · Camped on Jun 8, 2025 at Campsite #D24
Plenty of choices especially during the week. Cell coverage minimal and spotty especially as a hotspot but you can get it to work. Thick with woodland birds and world class beauty everywhere.
@michaelk687828 · Camped on Jun 8, 2025 at Campsite #C24
Great campground and plenty of good hiking.
@BrianB7534319 · Camped on Jun 7, 2025 at Campsite #D14
Great hiking trails. Campsites or easily accessible and have privacy.
@LorieR8735716 · Camped on Jun 5, 2025 at Campsite #B6
Fantastic experience. Bandy Creek campgrounds are extremely clean and well monitored. Bathhouses are clean. Absolutely will be going back.HIGHLY RECOMMEND
@JoyDCC213FC766 · Camped on Jun 4, 2025 at Campsite #C20
We stayed in the C Loop for four nights in early June along with family members in two other sites. The campground was quiet, and the restrooms were clean. We appreciated having recycling bins available at the Visitor Center. One day we drove to Stearns and rode the train to the Blue Heron Community, which was interesting. We hiked The Twin Arches Loop and the Middle Creek Nature Trail and enjoyed them both.
@KaylaDB4ED1E98 · Camped on Jun 2, 2025 at Campsite #D38
Bandy Creek was one of the best campgrounds Ive stayed at! The bathrooms were a great size and always very clean, as were the campsites. Gorgeous area to visit! My family and I will definitely be back!
@CarolG4880279F · Camped on Jun 1, 2025 at Campsite #D9
Beautiful campground with nice big sites. The bathrooms were clean and well maintained . The garbage was emptied in a regular basis. Miles of great hiking trails with wonderful scenery. Love that there is a swimming pool there. The buildings for the visitor center and camp store are very nice. I highly recommend this park.
@JaniceK6270323 · Camped on May 27, 2025 at Campsite #A40
was awesone, a really nce place
@VirginiaC3FD64 · Camped on May 26, 2025 at Campsite #D2
The Bandy Creek Visitor Center staff was very friendly and informative. The Bandy Creek Visitor Center is a good place to get background, alerts, and guidance to best choose activities for your stay. The Bandy Creek campsites are well-spaced, level, and clean. The bear box worked out well for food storage and the bear-proof trash cans were conveniently located.The Twin Arches are a must-see. Other places that are quite amazing and beautiful such as Split Bow Arch, Bear Creek Overlook, Blue Heron Mining Community, and Leatherwood Ford. Nearby Pickett State Park has an arch and rock shelter/overhang that are accessed easily from the road. Rugby is a great place to see historic structures and learn about the history from helpful people who take care of this special place.This was my third time to camp and explore Big South Fork. Every time there something different even in the same places.
@PaulaS4520495 · Camped on May 26, 2025 at Campsite #C6
always clean and we had a good time. Hostel for dinner, Bandy Creek Loop hiking and many more great hiking trails.
@ThomasT2893818 · Camped on May 22, 2025 at Campsite #B1
The park was clean, we loved having hot water and showers available. Staff was friendly and helpful. We felt like this was an awesome national park.
@LindaLAA4BE8F9 · Camped on May 22, 2025 at Campsite #D27
Wonderful campground! The National Park is amazing, so much to do and so many trails to hike. We will be back. Thank you
@MelissaP752470 · Camped on May 18, 2025 at Campsite #A8
Site A8 was a great spot for us to camp with other friends within the circle. It was just as private for us a group site would have been, but much cheaper than what the group site would have cost. Very awesome to have a bear box for food containment. The picnic table is looking a bit rough but was still quite sturdy, so bring a tablecloth.
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