Big South Fork Campground Review

Carole and I really enjoyed our stay at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. It's administered by the National Park Service even though the preserve does not have full National Park status. This is because some things are allowed in National Recreation Areas that don't fly in our National Parks (such as hunting).

One thing that Big South Fork has that most National Parks don't have are electrical and water hookups at the campgrounds. We chose to stay at the more centrally located Bandy Creek Campground. And we stayed in Loop D, which has hookups. The campsites are paved and there is a lot of room between campsites and plenty of trees to give you a sense of privacy.

Every campsite as a picnic table, an iron fire pit with grill, and a lantern pole. There are bathhouses strategically placed throughout the campground. Best of all, these facilities come with flush toilets, sinks, and hot showers. So you don't have to use your travel trailer bathrooms if you want to keep from filling your gray and black water tanks. In addition, the bath houses also had outdoor sinks for washing dishes (also with hot and cold water). You can bet we made use of that, too, which saved us from filling up our gray water tank.

Just across the road from the Bandy Creek Campground was an official Park office and shop. You could see a nature museum there and speak with knowledgeable rangers and buy books and maps.

If you come into the campground from Oneida Tennessee, then you will have to negotiate an extremely steep and very narrow road to access the Park. If you're pulling a small trailer such as a Casita, you won't have any real problems. But if you're pulling a larger trailer then I strongly suggest that you arrive at the campground via Jamestown and Route 27 (instead of 25).

All in all, the Bandy Creek Campground was a delight. It is picturesque and pleasant and offers amenities that we are not accustomed to encountering in National Park campgrounds. Very highly recommended!

Our spacious campsite at Bandy Creek Campground.

The campsite used by our friends, the Childers. (This is his personally fully restored vintage travel trailer.)

What's more pleasant than a roaring campfire?

Typical southern weather. 80s and clear one day, later in the week freezing with snow.

We stopped at the Park entrance on our way out.