About Elkmont Campground
Number of accommodations: 210
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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210 Sites Available
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Reviews (585)
What Guests Are Saying
Elkmont Campground is praised for its beautiful, well-maintained environment, friendly staff, and clean facilities, making it a great choice for campers looking for a peaceful experience in the Smoky Mountains. Many guests appreciate the primitive nature of the campground, with sites close to the river and ample privacy. However, some reviewers noted challenges with the reservation system and the closure of certain loops, which led to crowding in available areas. Overall, visitors enjoyed their time at Elkmont and expressed a desire to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Elkmont Campground is praised for its beautiful, well-maintained environment, friendly staff, and clean facilities, making it a great choice for campers looking for a peaceful experience in the Smoky Mountains. Many guests appreciate the primitive nature of the campground, with sites close to the river and ample privacy. However, some reviewers noted challenges with the reservation system and the closure of certain loops, which led to crowding in available areas. Overall, visitors enjoyed their time at Elkmont and expressed a desire to return.
Review Summary
JEANNIE H
VerifiedOctober 19, 2025 • Stayed at: C07, Loop: Generator Use
I love Elkmont. I had an excellent campsite. The campground was quiet at night even though it was full. It's a great place to disconnect and unwind.
Elizabeth G
VerifiedOctober 18, 2025 • Stayed at: B29, Loop: Generator Free
The campsite was free of trash and was beautiful! surrounded by trees and even had a little bit of a mountain view! it was quiet at night and nice and lively during the day! the elkmont nature trail and little river trail are both easy hikes close by and are absolutely beautiful! Staff at the campground office were so friendly and helpful, as well as fellow campers nearby!
Carrie T
VerifiedOctober 18, 2025 • Stayed at: G18, Loop: Generator Use
As I’m typing this I’m still wishing my boys and I were still there. It was such an amazing experience and we are already planning our next trip back. Bathrooms were very clean and the dishwash station was a nice extra amenity. Beautiful campground!
Mohammed S
VerifiedOctober 18, 2025 • Stayed at: A12, Loop: Generator Free
Our stay at Elkmont Campground was fantastic! The site was super clean, and the bathrooms and dishwashing stations were well-maintained—a huge plus for campers. The camp store had everything we needed, including firewood, so we never had to leave the area. We also felt completely safe during our stay. There are several excellent hikes nearby, making it a perfect base for exploring the Smokies. Highly recommend Elkmont to anyone looking for a clean, peaceful, and convenient camping experience.
Jonathan B
VerifiedOctober 18, 2025 • Stayed at: N04, Loop: Generator Free
My kids and I had a great time at Elkmont campground! The facilities were excellent, plenty of space for our car, tent, fire circle and hammocks. We only stayed one night so we could get to our day hike the next day at Peregrine Peak a few minutes away. I’d highly recommend making reservations early. We loved it!
Keith S
VerifiedOctober 18, 2025 • Stayed at: G08, Loop: Generator Use
Beautiful campground situated nicely in the Smoky Mountains.
Gordon P
VerifiedOctober 18, 2025 • Stayed at: G16, Loop: Generator Use
Super friendly staff, convenient firewood vending, and the tent sites were leveled with fine gravel making it an easy setup experience. 100% will be back.
Paul R
VerifiedOctober 18, 2025 • Stayed at: K03, Loop: Generator Use
The campground is beautiful! Our campsite was very large. It was one of the quietest campgrounds we’ve ever stayed in. Our only issue was that the canopy of trees prevented us from getting any sunlight on our solar panels. Also, we had no cellphone reception inside the park.
Savannah A
VerifiedOctober 17, 2025 • Stayed at: K06, Loop: Generator Use
Loved our time at Elkmont. The river is beautiful! We stayed at K06, which was in a generator area, but we got lucky and only heard one generator for a small amount of time. Our spot was elevated on a platform, which did make it a bit difficult for a big tent to fit. The bathrooms were close and clean for a campground. There was wood available to buy but it was helpful to also have charcoal for our fire as well. We loved our time here and would definitely come back to camp.
Kyle G
VerifiedOctober 17, 2025 • Stayed at: C05, Loop: Generator Use
This is our favorite spot in the Smokies and we come here often. We have two young children whom love it year round. Wonderful staff and clean bathrooms. Can’t wait to s the you again soon!
Location Elkmont Campground
Address:
434 Elkmont Rd
Gatlinburg, TN, 37738
United States
From Cherokee, NC: Take Newfound Gap Road (aka U.S. 441) North through the park into Tennessee. Turn left at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Follow Little River Road approx. 4.5 miles. Turn left at the Elkmont Campground sign and proceed 1.5 miles to the campground office.
From Gatlinburg,TN: Take Newfound Gap Road (aka U.S. 441) South into the Park. (If coming from Pigeon Forge, take the Bypass into the park.) Turn a right at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Proceed 4.5 miles to the Elkmont entrance and turn left at the Elkmont Campground sign. Go 1.5 miles to the campground office.
Latitude & Longitude: 35.6588 / -83.5827
Elevation: 648 feet
Nearby National Park
Arch Rock Entrance
Approximate driving time: 32 min
Policies & Rules
General
- A valid parking tag is required for any vehicle parking for more than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Front country campers parked at their designated campsite will not be required to have a parking tag. If they park elsewhere in the park, a parking tag will be required. Please note that parking tags will be required for vehicles in excess of what is allowable for each campsite.
- Over the last 10 years, an average of 339 negative human-bear encounters have been reported each year; many more go unreported. Visitors should be aware that high bear activity can occur in any area, and that your safety is not guaranteed. To increase your odds for a safe visit, please follow best practices for living and recreating in bear habitat. Stay alert and be prepared to react appropriately during possible encounters, and always report any unusual bear interactions as soon as possible.
- Caution: Bears and other wildlife frequent the area. All food, coolers, and equipment used to prepare and store food must be kept in a sealed vehicle or camping unit of solid, non-pliable material AT ALL TIMES when not in use. All scented items (candles, soap, etc.) as well as all water containers, MUST be stored. Dispose of garbage promptly in dumpsters provided. Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff. Violators are subject to fines.
- Firewood Restriction: Only heat-treated firewood bundled in its original packing and bearing a certification seal from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state department of agriculture may be brought into the park. This rule is strictly enforced. Campers may also collect dead and down wood in the park for campfires.
- There are no showers, electric, water, or sewer hook-ups in the park. The dump and fill station is located approximately 6 miles away from the campground. Three handicap accessible ADA sites have 5 amp electrical service for use of medical equipment only. Proof of medical equipment required for use of electric hookup,
- Generator use is restricted to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Generators may not be left running unattended. Generator use is prohibited from May 15 through October 31 in loops A, B, L, M and N.
- You must check-in with the campground office staff UPON ARRIVAL to complete your reservation. If you arrive after the office is CLOSED for the day then you must check-in with the campground staff the following day. Failure to check-in with the office staff by noon following the day of your arrival will be considered a no show. This may result in a forfeit of your reservation. Current office hours are 9am-5pm. During November-April the office may be open intermittently; during these months campers occupying their site must be able to provide proof of occupancy when requested by park staff.
- A maximum of six people may occupy a campsite. The park stay-limit is 14 consecutive days. Reservations which exceed the 14 consecutive day limit may be cancelled and refunded.
- A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required to fish in the park. Special regulations apply in the park.
- Pets are permitted, but cannot be left unattended. All pets must be kept on a six foot leash at all times. Pets are not allowed on trails.
- Tent pads at Elkmont measure 16 x 16 and will accommodate one large or two small tents. Tents must be pitched on the pad. Hammocks are permitted but must be hung in the footprint of the reserved campsite,
- Cades Cove and Smokemont are the only campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that are open year round.
- Tennessee state law requires bicycle helmets for riders under 16 years of age. Skateboards, scooters, and roller blades are prohibited in the campground.
- For additional information, call 865-436-1200 or visit www.nps.gov/grsm.
- While GPS directions may route you to Elkmont via Line Springs Road and Metcalf Bottoms Picnic area, RVs and towed trailers are NOT allowed over the bridge at Metcalf Bottoms due to a narrow bridge with weight and length restrictions. RVs and trailers should access Elkmont campground from either the Gatlinburg or Townsend entrances.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026