Big Creek Trailhead

Hiking area · Haywood County

Big Creek Trailhead

Hiking area · Haywood County

1

Newport, TN 37821

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Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null
Big Creek Trailhead by null

Highlights

Kid-friendly trails, swimming hole, waterfall, and picnic tables  

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Newport, TN 37821 Get directions

nps.gov
@greatsmokynps

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Newport, TN 37821 Get directions

+1 423 486 6323
nps.gov
@greatsmokynps
𝕏
@GreatSmokyNPS

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Last updated

Oct 14, 2025

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@travelleisure

This Hike in North Carolina Leads to a Hidden, Emerald-green Swimming Hole — Here's How to Find It

"A short hike (1.5 miles each way) leads to this shimmering emerald pool, located in the Great Smoky Mountains. The pool is created by a river squeezed between two massive boulders, forming a 6-foot waterfall with a deep pool beneath it. The water is notably cold year-round, providing a refreshing dip after a hike." - Travel + Leisure Editors

https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/midnight-swimming-hole-north-carolina-hike
View Postcard for Big Creek Trailhead

Massie

Google
Beautiful!! We only did the 1.5 mile hike to midnight hole, it is an uphill hike and if your going a regular speed it takes around 30 minutes. We stopped alot for pictures. There is no marker for midnight hole once you reach it, so make sure you know what to look for, there will most likely be some folks there already. The water is FREEZING but it is an awesome experience to feel connected to nature. The trail is in good condition! If you have mobility issues you might have a hard time actually getting down to midnight hole since you have to do a bit of climbing down off the trail. This was the one hike we got to do on our vacation but we'll definitely come back and do more next time!

Lisa Everingham

Google
Loved the "cliff jumping" and the Mouse Creek waterfalls, swimming at Midnight Hole . Google map directions to the trail head were a bit off and we got lost. Stay straight on Big Creek Park Rd. Follow Great Smoky Mountain Park sign. Pass first parking area and keep going straight.

Emily Muellheimer (McNulty)

Google
Beautiful waterfall! The hike is easy as long as you don't try to carry three girls under the age of eight across the waterfall while they're screaming about the bees. Stay on the path and you'll be fine! And when you're done, eat delicious BBQ at Hungry Bear BBQ #1 at 2263 East Parkway!

Lindy Denissen

Google
Beautiful hike along the river BUT couple issues. First, none of the sites we looked at for Mouse Creek Falls mentioned that it was actually Big Creek Trailhead, so we drove all around on the wrong roads looking for Mouse Creek only to figure out 30 minutes later that Mouse Creek is PART OF the Big Creek Trail, and the only sign you see regarding that is once you're already in the parking lot and it's carved on the wooden sign. So, it would be helpful if the sites and the signs reflected that. Second, they need some help clearing the trail of all the mini boulders. Almost the entire 2-mile trail to Mouse Creek Falls is not gravel but huge rocks you have to walk over. We couldn't really look around and enjoy the scenery unless we stopped to look, otherwise we would have tripped and sprained an ankle. As it was, being very careful, we still tripped and tipped a few times over the rocks. Please, some trail clearing would be GREAT!!!

S Griff

Google
One of the most beautiful hikes I've done! There is also a swimming hole that is a lot of fun to cool off in.

Miguel Santiago

Google
If you want to find some wildflowers you can't go wrong with this trail. Even though you're climbing through much of it, the slope is so gradual you'll barely notice it. There are some campsites, swimming holes and just a fun trail. This is not the trail for wide mountain views, though. Make sure to purchase a parking pass at the ranger station. (There are automated kiosks.)

Ethan Bowser

Google
Great hiking area! We stopped the Midnight Hole (2.5 miles) it was a relatively short hike for my wife and I, we stopped just before the falls and spent some time playing around in the water, it was a great time!

Connor Wilson

Google
Phenomenal hike. I have been to both Shortoff and Table Rock, and both hikes were more difficult than this, yet I may have even enjoyed this one more. We hiked up to Mouse Creek Falls and I have to say the views of the river almost the entire way up were stunning. I would absolutely come here again, and would say it's a kid and pet friendly in terms of difficulty (although not sure about pets being allowed or not).