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    Vacation » Where To Camp in Big South Fork | Bandy Creek Campground Review

    Where To Camp in Big South Fork | Bandy Creek Campground Review

    Posted: 01/15/2019 | Last updated: 07/15/2024 by Erin K. Browne 2 Comments
    Post may contain affiliate links via Amazon Associates or other programs. (Disclosure)

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    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Bandy Creek Campground is located on the Tennessee side of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.  There are 181 total campsites: 96 RV sites with water and electric hook-ups, 49 tent sites, and the remaining sites are contained within two group camping loops.  As listed in the things to do in Essex, there is a dump station located near the entrance to the campground, but there are no individual sewer hook-ups at the campsites.

    Each site provides a picnic table, and fire ring with grill top.  Bear-proof receptacles are at each site as the campground is located in an area with Black Bears.

    LOCATION OF BANDY CREEK CAMPGROUND

    Bandy Loop, Oneida, TN 37841

    CONTACT INFORMATION

    Phone: (423) 569-9778
    Website: https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/bandycreekcampground.htm

    CAMPGROUND AMENITIES

    • Water/Electric sites
    • Tent sites
    • Dump station
    • Restrooms and Showers
    • Swimming pool
    • Volleyball Court
    • Playgrounds
    • Game fields

    OUR EXPERIENCE AT BANDY CREEK CAMPGROUND

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    We pulled into our campsite to find our surroundings quiet and private, shrouded in trees but not so many that it hindered our being able to park without scratching our camper.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Jasper really got into helping with the site setup, including helping Daddy stake down the outdoor patio mat.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Shelby typically wants to do everything Big Brother does, so she had to get in on the action again.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Now that we're into the winter season and our camper is winterized and hibernating in its storage lot, we're looking forward to getting back out when the weather warms up.  Jasper asks me every single day if it is springtime yet, because he wants to go camping SO bad.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Hiding in the woods... there is nowhere else I would rather be.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    We basically just let the kids get filthy during our camp trips and pack extra play clothes.  They have a blast.  A little dirt never hurt anybody.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Time to build a fire!

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    I liked the fire pits at Bandy Creek.  They are enclosed in a metal ring with a grill built right in.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Perfect for toasting marshmallows - Jasper loves getting to toast his own.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Can't you hear the crackling, popping fire and smell the sweet, toasting marshmallow?

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Showing Jasper how to really get the marshmallow down in there to get a good crispy toast on the outside.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Our campsite was so wonderfully private, as are most of the sites in the campground.  We could barely see our neighbors.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Nothing better than a gooey, melty, sugary s'more.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Check out the length on that sticky marshmallow trail.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Ah yiss, nirvana has been achieved.  A campground with a playground rises to the top of the favorites list with our kids.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Just a little mid-playtime rest, don't mind him.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Such a goof.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Look at that hand patting the empty slide.  I know she was saying, "Come sit with me!"

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Adjacent to the campground are the Bandy Creek Visitor's Center and Stables.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    You can pop into the center for info on what to do and see around the area, and take a browse through the gift shop and bookstore.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    The center has free public wi-fi, restrooms, vending machines, and ice sales.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Jasper's 4th birthday fell during this trip, so we had to make one of his favorite breakfasts: canned cinnamon rolls.  The kids helped place the rolls into the pan.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Such simple tasks can make kids so happy.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Jasper took his job very seriously.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Yeah, homemade cinnamon rolls are mana from heaven, but the canned versions carry a nostalgic bliss, and their simplicity is so perfect for an RV breakfast.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    We had a combined birthday party planned for both of them a few weeks after this trip, but we gave Jasper a small gift on his actual birthday as well.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    A new Hot Wheels monster truck with a car you can mash and crush.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Jasper's favorite food on the entire planet is mac 'n cheese, so I obliged with a homemade slow cooker version that we let simmer for the entire afternoon.  It was cheesy, creamy, ooey gooey amazingness.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    But for dessert, we stuck with the theme of simplicity and brought a frozen chocolate cake, to which I added some colorful star sprinkles and 4 birthday candles for the big f-o-u-r.

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    The bunk room sofa is the usual spot for pre-bedtime stories before tucking the kids into their bunks for the night.  Choosing an RV with a bunkhouse was the best best BEST decision we ever made.  It's a game-changer.

    Save this post to your travel boards!  Hover your mouse over the image below and click the button that pops up!

    Bandy Creek Campground Review - where to camp in Big South Fork

    Reader Questions:  Have you ever been to Bandy Creek or do you have questions about the campground that this post did not cover?  Ask below in the comments!

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    About Erin K. Browne

    Erin K. Browne is an author of a cookbook (The Unofficial Dollywood Cookbook, Simon & Schuster/Adams Media) and Dollywood guide (The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood, Simon & Schuster/Adams Media) She has over two decades experience with recipe development. Erin is a mom of two human babies and a sweet kitty named Biscuit Fingers ("Ketto"). She loves comfy clothes, sarcastic t-shirts, and reading thrillers. Make her day and toss her a like on Facebook or follow her on Instagram. Post may contain affiliate links including those via the Amazon Associates program

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    1. Brian

      May 21, 2019 at 9:59 pm

      Can you recommend some of the specific site #s you'd recommend at Bandy Creek? We've never been there but are planning to take our camper there this summer. I'd love to hear some opinions on specific sites. Our camper looks about the same size (ours is ~33ft) so we'd need a site that could accommodate that length. Thanks!

      Reply
    2. Coonhound Camping

      March 27, 2019 at 7:30 pm

      We at Coonhound Camping absolutely love Brandy Creek Campground! It's one of our absolute favorites. Great blog that really sums up such a beautiful area!

      Reply

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