Campground

Bandy Creek

Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area · ONEIDA · Tennessee — managed by National Park Service

Sites open now — checked live on Recreation.gov
Bandy Creek campground
Photo: Recreation.gov · NPS Photo

Weekend availability at Bandy Creek

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 18, 8:54 AM PT
  • Fri, Sep 18
    Limited
    6/136 sites
  • Fri, Sep 25
    Limited
    23/144 sites
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Limited
    31/144 sites
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Limited
    22/144 sites
  • Fri, Oct 16
    Open
    39/144 sites
  • Fri, Oct 23
    Limited
    27/144 sites

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 Bandy Creek?

as of September 18

Sites are open right now — we found space out to Nov. That changes fast at a campground. We check Bandy Creek around the clock, so the moment your dates fill up and a cancellation reopens them, you'll be first to know. Weekdays still have room — for now.

Weekends (Saturday night)

Sep 26Open
Oct 17Open
Nov 7Open
Nov 28Open

Weekdays (Wednesday night)

Sep 23Open
Oct 28Open
Nov 25Open

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

Campsites & amenities

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

Campsites
145
Electric sites
96
Water hookups
96
Pull-through
4
Max rig length
73 ft
Group Standard No HookupStandard ElectricStandard No HookupTent Only No Hookup

About this campground

Overview Bandy Creek is a spacious and modern campground, situated in The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area--a vast and scenic expanse of land that offers visitors countless recreational activities.Recreation Numerous trails snake through the Recreation Area, offering mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding for visitors. A swimming pool, along with on-site volleyball court, playgrounds and ball fields, make Bandy Creek an ideal spot for families. The main river of the Big South Fork is also a short drive away, offering fishing opportunities.Facilities Bandy Creek combines the experience of traditional woods camping with the modern conveniences of flush toilets, hot showers and electric hookups. Sites can accommodate groups and both RV and tent camping. The campsites are spacious and provide picnic areas and plenty of shade.Natural Features The Big South Fork is located in north central Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky in some of the most rugged terrain of the Cumberland Plateau. The park encompasses approximately 125,000 acres including rocky gorges and forested plateaus. Numerous pristine streams unite with the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. Over thousands of years, ceaselessly moving water has carved the sandstone of the plateau into impressive cliffs, arches and chimneys, which are found throughout the park. Nearby Attractions Located just under 20 miles from Bandy Creek is the Blue Heron Mine, also known as Mine 18, a historic abandoned mining town that has been rebuilt as an outdoor museum. Visitors can hear audio presentations from actual people who lived in the community in the 1950s.

Getting there

For detailed directions, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/directions.htm

Elevation
1,579 ft
Contact
(423) 286-7275

Activities

  • AMPHITHEATER
  • WILDLIFE VIEWING
  • HORSEBACK RIDING
  • HIKING
  • CAMPING
  • BIRDING
  • ACCESSIBLE SWIMMING
  • BIKING
  • EVENING PROGRAMS
  • HUNTING
  • MOUNTAIN BIKING
  • RAFTING
  • NON-MOTORIZED BOATING
  • KAYAKING
  • STAR GAZING
  • SWIMMING
  • DAY USE AREA
  • INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
  • PICNICKING
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • VISITOR CENTER
  • FISHING
  • BACKPACKING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Bandy Creek

Popular Tennessee campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Bandy Creek 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 Bandy Creek 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.