Big Creek Trailhead — Attraction in Newport

Our hike this week, ṭook us to a remote section of the GSMNP, Big Creek Campground. We came here to hike up a trail, that comes up in our conversations with other hikers probably more than any other trail, Baxter Creek Trail. When you add in Swallow Fork Trail, and Big Creek Trail, you get a loop of a little over 17 miles, including the .2 mile spur over to Low Gap. From the parking lot, you can see a metal bridge which signifies the beginning of the 6 mile hike up to the fire tower. The elevation gain over this section is 4200' with very few switch backs or round abouts. It's mostly up. ↗️. As you work your way up, the trail becomes narrow, rocky, with lots of roots. You will be coming up on the back side of the fire tower. The reward for reaching the top of the trail? If you are doing a loop like we were, the remaining 10+ miles is all downhill 👍. There was a crew working on installing new communication antennas 📡on the tower for the Rangers. Passing the Fire Tower and coming down Mt Sterling Ridge, you come to the intersection of three trails: Pretty Hollow is on your left and Swallow Fork is on your right. Pretty Hollow Trail and the continuation of Mt Sterling Trail were both overgrown at the intersection. Swallow Fork Trail is 4 miles long and intersects with Big Creek. Most elevation decline happens in the first couple miles. The trail is narrow with rocks and roots across the trail. Once you turn right after intersecting Big Creek Trail you have about 1000' elevation decline over the 5.1 mile section, in other words, basically flat. Big Creek is a very pretty Creek with several stretches of churning white water and several nice spots to sun on a rock or get into the creek. The trail does not come out in the parking lot, but about a 100 yards before the parking lot. If you decide to hike the loop starting with Big Creek, your elevation gain is going to happen during the last 2 miles on Swallow Firk Trail and the 1.4 mile stretch up Mt Sterling Ridge as you head toward the fire tower. Going up Baxter Creek was a Tail Kicker no doubt and certainly earns its place among the 5 or 6 trails in GSMNP that have you grabbing your shorts, looking up, and wandering, " how much further?🥵. Until next time, Safe Hiking...

July 2025. Keep an eye out on the exit 451 when on I-40. My husband passed the exit because of all the construction on the highway and the GPS added an extra hour for the next exit. Before arriving you will pass Duke Energy and there is a 10minute wait on a temporary traffic light they have set up. Be sure to wait because it's only a one car road. Now the trail was beautiful leading to midnight hole. Once you get to midnight hole it's a beautiful scene. Please take what you bring into the swimming hole area. When I arrived people were leaving their trash and clothes behind and made me sad because the water is so clear and beautiful. There a variety of stones of different sizes in the swim area . There are alot bees likely because people leave their trash. I hiked this with my husband and 3 kids ages (2,4,6) and it was HARD not because it was rugged but their little legs arnt used to walking alot. My 6 year old did great. We ended up having to carry our 4 and 2 year old for most of the way to and from. There is no sign for when you arrive at the swimming hole but you will find it. The trees roots are used as steps. My kids did not get stung by bees, but my husband did once. If your allergic bring your pen. Took us with 3 little kids 1 hr to hike to the swimming hole and same back. Im sure it would take others alot less. Be sure to use the restroom before...

This place is magical. It had rained a great deal the last couple days so the water was high. The drainage for the higher mountains runs across a good deal of the trail with log bridges over the tops of the higher outputs brooks. Many areas we had to puddle jump or balance across rocks but the water only ran 3 inches deep at the worst of it. There were plenty of places to cross the water without getting soaked. The main point of that is have a good pair of hiking boots for a rainy or previously rainy day or your going to have cold wet feet eventually. Nothing difficult about the hike. Straight up a trail and back down. Mouse Creek Falls in the summer is a great area to set on a rock and soak up the wonderful view. In the winter, after rain, I think the high output of water along the creek is the best views. In the summer, folks jump into the pools along the creek but in the winter kayakers are the only folks brave enough to take to the...