Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates210 total sites · $30 avg/night
RV Sites
158 sites
$30/night
average
Tent Sites
52 sites
$30/night
average
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
210 Sites Available
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210 Sites Available
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Reviews (873)
What Guests Are Saying
Elkmont Campground is praised for its beautiful, well-maintained sites, particularly those by the river, offering excellent swimming and tubing opportunities. Visitors appreciate the friendly and helpful staff, as well as the clean facilities and convenient location near popular hiking trails and attractions. While some report issues with noise and drainage in certain areas, the overall experience is highly regarded, making it a favorite destination for many campers.
What Guests Are Saying
Elkmont Campground is praised for its beautiful, well-maintained sites, particularly those by the river, offering excellent swimming and tubing opportunities. Visitors appreciate the friendly and helpful staff, as well as the clean facilities and convenient location near popular hiking trails and attractions. While some report issues with noise and drainage in certain areas, the overall experience is highly regarded, making it a favorite destination for many campers.
Review Summary
Michael B
VerifiedAugust 17, 2026 • Stayed at: D04, Loop: Generator Use
Very nice site(D-04), bathrooms were clean.
Fabian M
VerifiedAugust 16, 2026 • Stayed at: D09, Loop: Generator Use
Only problem was we didn't know there is no showers, the rest was perfect.
Phil B
VerifiedAugust 16, 2026 • Stayed at: G23, Loop: Generator Use
Campsite in the G loop was poorly maintained. The tent pad was no longer elevated above the ground. When a large rain storm came through the first evening, the entire site around the tents had over an inch of standing water. We ended up abandoning the tents and renting a hotel room in Gatlinburg for the rest of our trip.
Christine L
VerifiedAugust 16, 2026 • Stayed at: A15, Loop: Generator Free
Peaceful and relaxing trip as always. ❤️ only cell coverage is thru satellite and text only. But that is the whole point to staying in the park. Gives you time to unplug from the world.
christine j
VerifiedAugust 15, 2026 • Stayed at: H07, Loop: Generator Use
Great location to camp and get to the hikes, water activities, fishing, and biking we wanted to do.
Joseph J
VerifiedAugust 15, 2026 • Stayed at: H12, Loop: Generator Use
Totally enjoyed the campground, staff was attentive to rest room cleaning. I have a hard time understanding why the busiest national park in the country and busiest campground in the park doesn’t have a dump station on site. The closest one is across from sugar land visitor center and there’s only one site on a difficult one lane loop . Absolutely unbelievable compared to other parks.
Use caution especially if you a long rig or towing a vehicle.
Donald Laurence M
VerifiedAugust 14, 2026 • Stayed at: E07, Loop: Generator Use
Easy reservation and check-in process, even after hours. staff friendly and helpful. second time at this park. very quiet. sounds of flowing water from good tubing creek. Restrooms good, no showers. no electrical hook up. No cell service for a couple miles; somewhat distant from any civilization. small camp store for essentials (ice, firewood, toiletries). encountered a bear during nearby hike.
Greg P
VerifiedAugust 14, 2026 • Stayed at: D07, Loop: Generator Use
Campsite was well maintained, as well as the bathroom. Staff were kind and helpful. Complaint is that parking passes should be available to purchase when checking in at the campground. I suspect that almost nobody camps at Elkmont without also planning to go into the park, where they will need a parking pass.
Donald Laurence M
VerifiedAugust 14, 2026 • Stayed at: A13, Loop: Generator Free
Easy check-in. very quiet. sounds of flowing water from good tubing creek. Restrooms good, no showers. no electrical hook up. No cell service for a couple miles; somewhat distant from any civilization. small camp store for essentials (ice, firewood, toiletries). encountered a bear during nearby hike.
Chris G
VerifiedAugust 13, 2026 • Stayed at: C05, Loop: Generator Use
We loved this campground. It's in a great location. 10 minutes to Gatlinburg and 15 minutes to Townsend. The river running through the campground is so nice and the sound was so soothing to fall asleep to.
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.
Elevation: 648 feet
Nearby National Park
Arch Rock Entrance
Approximate driving time: 32 min
9.4 mi drive to downtown Gatlinburg (about 23 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: September 8, 2026