Big Creek (Pigeon R. trib.)
1. Walnut Bottom to NPS Campground(Upper Big Creek)
| Difficulty | IV-V |
| Length | 5.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 238 fpm |
| Gauge | Oconaluftee River at Birdtown, Nc |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 215 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | December 12, 2025 |
River Description
Visual Gauge update: There is a painted gauge on the bridge partway up the road along lower Big Creek. On the upstream side and visible only on private property, the pillowing water creates a wide range of visual gauge interpretations. Low depends how you feel about rock bashing, medium is 3.0, high is 3.5, some run it higher.
The following description is courtesy of The Asheville Area Boating Beta Page ( boatingbeta.com ). To view it in a new window, click here .
Big Creek, NC Upper (Walnut Bottom to NPS Campground)
This is a gorgeous run on a pristine river whose entire reach is within a National Park. Please respect other users and the natural environment. Minimize your impact in all ways possible.
Gauge Upper Big Creek is almost certainly running when the Oconaluftee is between 1,200 and 2,400 cfs; it is generally running when the Oconaluftee is as low 850 cfs.
It is often true that when the TVA's Little Pigeon at Sevierville (not the same as the USGS's Little Pigeon at Sevierville) gauge is between 1,500 and 3,000 cfs, Big Creek is running. Despite being located on the next watershed East, the USGS Cataloochee gauge isn't a very good predictor of Big Creek flows.
The Oconaluftee and TVA Little Pigeon at Sevierville flows are both available on the TVA Streamflows site and from the TVA by telephone: 800-238-2264.
Character: Continuous western-style flush creek run
Scenery: Very scenic despite occasional glimpses of horseback riders and
...River Features
Camp 37 Launch
This is the put in for the full Upper Big Creek run, though other options exist along the way where the trail nears the river.
Trailhead Put In and Take Out Parking
Trips on Upper Big Creek start and end at the same trailhead / picnic area parking lot. Park here, shoulder your boat to your launch point, and paddle back to the parking lot. The footbridge across Big Creek is a clear sign from the river that you've made it back to your car.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportMatt DeVoe boofing over Midnight Hole
Mexico running SuperMan Upper Big Creek
There is a line but it is kind of scary. above it take a narrow slot in the middle and push into the pool below then sart working to the left and make sure you have lots of left angle. power onto the rock on the left and slide down it and over a couple of branches. If you dont then your stern will most likely be caught by the current and drag you into the tree backwards. It is very doable as myself and someone else did on monday but the risk is still there. Scout it no matter what and decide for youself
Upper Big Creek - Bottom Action Alley - Put in Rapid for lower Section of Upper
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley Look Down Part II
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley -Left Side Baby Gorilla Drop
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley -Left Side Baby Gorilla
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - Rapids Above Baby Gorilla
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - Middle of the Run Rapid
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - 1st and 2nd Rapids
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - 1st Rapid
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - 2nd Rapid
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - 2nd Rapid Lead in
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - 3rd Rapid Maybe
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - Baby Gorilla
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley Below Baby Gorrila
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - Good Size Hole
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - Last Rapid
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - Lead in Rapid to Baby Gorilla
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - Lead in to Last Rapid
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley Looking Above Baby Gorrila
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - Looking Down
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - Looking down to the Bottom
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - Middle of the Run
Upper Big Creek - Action Alley - Middle of the Run Looking Down
Entrance to Monster.
1st rapid below put-in bridge 2.5 miles up from campground.
1st rapid above put-in bridge. Taken from on the bridge.
Some rapid above the campground.
videocapture taken from a 15 second digital camera video. the creek gets split by a large boulder and creates two runnable drops. caution: the drop on river left tends to want to slam you against the boulder before you go over.
Looking upstream fom the main drop of Monster. The pin potential here is very good! The pile at the bottom of the hole is ALL a big rock(s). Scout this one good if you intend to run it and DON'T miss your line! 'fun factor' vs. risk here = walk for me!
Ahh Big Creek. The place dreams are made of.