Campground

Deep Creek Picnic Pavilion

Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Bryson City · North Carolina — managed by National Park Service

Books out fast — 1 of 4 weekends we sampled are sold out
Deep Creek Picnic Pavilion campground
Photo: Recreation.gov · Nick Hopper/NPS

Weekend availability at Deep Creek Picnic Pavilion

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 19, 2:05 AM PT

Sold out 3 of the next 5 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.

  • Fri, Sep 25
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Limited
    1/2 sites
  • Fri, Oct 16
    Limited
    1/2 sites
  • Fri, Oct 23
    Sold out

Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.

How booked is Deep Creek Picnic Pavilion?

as of September 19

Weekends book out well ahead here — 1 of the 4 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Oct, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch Deep Creek Picnic Pavilion and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Weekdays still have room — for now.

Weekends (Saturday night)

Sep 26Sold out
Oct 10Open
Oct 17Open
Oct 31Open

Weekdays (Wednesday night)

Sep 30Open
Oct 14Open
Oct 28Open

Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.

Campsites & amenities

Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.

Campsites
2
Group Shelter No HookupShelter No Hookup

About this campground

Overview Deep Creek Picnic Pavilion, surrounded by pristine mountain streams and clear blue skies, is the perfect mountain backdrop for your party or family get-together. Whether blanketed in bright wildflowers in the spring or vivid colors in the fall, the scenery at Deep Creek never disappoints.Recreation Picnicking is the most popular activity at Deep Creek Pavilion, but visitors also enjoy an excursion to one of three scenic waterfalls in the nearby area. From Deep Creek Campground, walk Deep Creek Trail 0.7 miles to the junction with Indian Creek Trail. On your way you can view elegant Tom Branch Falls located on the far side of Deep Creek. Turn right at the junction with Indian Creek Trail and proceed approximately 200' to Indian Creek Falls. The falls are 25 feet in height. Juney Whank Falls is divided into an upper and lower section. Both can be viewed from the footbridge which crosses Juney Whank Branch at the falls. Together they drop 90 feet from top to bottom. The trail to the waterfall is 0.8 miles roundtrip and can be accessed from the trailhead at the end of Deep Creek Road. Deep Creek runs on the edge of the nearby group campground and provides easily accessible fishing, wading and tubing. Visitors can also enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.Facilities This well-kept picnic pavilion offers room for up to 70 people and 15 covered picnic tables. There is no electricity at the site, but four elevated charcoal grills just outside the pavilion, make cooking for a crowd convenient. Natural Features Deep Creek provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. With such close proximity to one of the park's most popular creeks, this facility is ideal for guests looking for scenic water recreation and hiking opportunities. Nearby Attractions Bryson City, located about three miles away, offers grocery stores and medical facilities.Charges & Cancellations Customers who cancel a day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will forfeit the total day-use fee.

Getting there

Seasonal phone is 828-488-3184 From downtown Bryson City, NC: Follow signs to Deep Creek, 3 miles away.

Elevation
1,816 ft
Contact
865-436-1261

Activities

  • WILDLIFE VIEWING
  • VISITOR CENTER
  • HORSEBACK RIDING
  • HIKING
  • FISHING
  • CAMPING
  • HISTORIC & CULTURAL SITE

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Deep Creek Picnic Pavilion

Popular North Carolina campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Deep Creek Picnic Pavilion around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.

Not ready to subscribe? Get a free weekend heads-up.

We'll email you if Deep Creek Picnic Pavilion opens up for a weekend you pick. No account needed.

Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.