Tucked into the rugged Cumberland Plateau of north-central Tennessee, Bandy Creek Campground is the crown jewel of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The Big South Fork encompasses approximately 125,000 acres of rocky gorges and forested plateaus, where numerous pristine streams unite with the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. Over millennia, that moving water has sculpted the sandstone landscape into dramatic cliffs, natural arches, and chimneys — a backdrop that makes Bandy Creek one of the most memorable campgrounds in the Southeast.
A Campground for Everyone
Bandy Creek is the largest and most developed campground in Big South Fork, with 181 total campsites — including 49 tent-only sites, 96 sites with water and electrical hookups, and 35 group sites. Whether you’re a tent purist, a family pulling a trailer, or a weekend warrior in a full-size RV, there’s a spot for you here.
The campground combines the experience of traditional woods camping with the modern conveniences of flush toilets, hot showers, and electric hookups. Each site comes equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, lantern post, and grill — and food storage lockers are provided throughout, a reminder that this is black bear country. The campground is open year-round, and the heated bathhouses are a welcome luxury during the cool shoulder seasons that make Big South Fork so special.
Situated at an elevation of 1,562 feet, the campground sits just beside the Bandy Creek Visitor Center, where rangers offer trail maps, local knowledge, and a well-stocked camp store. Reservations can be booked up to six months in advance, and fees range from $20 to $140 per night depending on site type.
Adventure at Your Doorstep
What truly sets Bandy Creek apart is its access to world-class outdoor recreation. Outdoor activities include non-motorized boating, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, fishing, swimming, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, birding, backpacking, and wildlife viewing.
Several trailheads sit within walking distance of the campsites. The Oscar Blevins Farm Loop and John Litton Farm Trail offer a blend of pastoral history and forest scenery, while the iconic Angel Falls Overlook rewards hikers with a sweeping view of the river gorge below. For mountain bikers, the Grand Gap Loop and Collier Ridge Bike Loop are popular options accessible right from the campground.
A swimming pool, volleyball court, playgrounds, and ball fields make Bandy Creek an ideal destination for families. The pool is open on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Equestrians will also find a home here — horses can be boarded overnight at the Bandy Creek Stables.
Just under 20 miles away sits the Blue Heron Mine, a historic abandoned coal town that has been rebuilt as an outdoor museum where visitors can hear audio presentations from people who lived there in the 1950s.
Plan Your Visit
Bandy Creek Campground is located about an hour and a half northwest of Knoxville, making it an easy escape from the city and a gateway into one of the most underappreciated wild places in the Eastern United States. Whether you’re chasing a waterfall, pedaling through hardwood forest, or simply watching the stars from your campfire — and the area is on track to earn dark sky certification — Bandy Creek delivers an experience that keeps campers coming back season after season.
