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 | 332 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | December 12, 2025 |
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
...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.
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.
Aug 2, 2009
Mexico running SuperMan Upper Big Creek
