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
Rates, Sites & Availability
210 Sites Available
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Site Details
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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
Hannah C
VerifiedMay 16, 2026 • Stayed at: C02, Loop: Generator Use
Beautiful spot to camp and play by the water
Regina S
VerifiedMay 15, 2026 • Stayed at: E10, Loop: Generator Use
Clean spaces; great access to hiking
Michael M
VerifiedMay 14, 2026 • Stayed at: C10, Loop: Generator Use
Beautiful campground, wonderful experience.
Annie R
VerifiedMay 13, 2026 • Stayed at: B12, Loop: Generator Free
bathrooms were super clean, all workers/rangers we encountered were friendly, you could hear the river from our tent at night, butterflies everywhere… perfect campsite
Gary B
VerifiedMay 12, 2026 • Stayed at: D06, Loop: Generator Use
Back to Nature and not a parking lot like most private campgrounds.
Our family has been camping in the GSMNP & Primarily Elkmont for over 50 years.
We miss the Wonderland Hotel but the cabins that have been saved in Daisy Town & Millionaires row reminds us of how it use to be.
While the Campground needs various Maintenance needs it's still a great experience every time we return.
Excellent Hiking trails to start from. Little River Hiking trail is an easy one for those that might be challenged.
Great Staff to help within the Campground (rangers, Campground Host etc.).
KEE V
VerifiedMay 12, 2026 • Stayed at: A17, Loop: Generator Free
If you can get a spot, this is a beautiful campground in the heart of GSMNP with the Little River flowing alongside. A great starting point to quickly access popular attractions before the day gets busy and late into the day after people make their drive back to the cities. Went the first week in May 4th '26 and the weather was pleasant with no mosquitoes. Try to get a spot along the river if you can because they're incredible. The sound of a river nearby is so relaxing and the highlight of my stay here. Set up availability alerts as well and be patient, there will be sites that open up as people cancel.
Barbara E
VerifiedMay 12, 2026 • Stayed at: A23, Loop: Generator Free
I appreciate the improvements to the tent pads and the restrooms.
Sean S
VerifiedMay 12, 2026 • Stayed at: B27, Loop: Generator Free
Good location. It’s very big, but clean and quiet.
John M
VerifiedMay 12, 2026 • Stayed at: A12, Loop: Generator Free
My traveling partner had a very large tent. It took up most of the tent pad. There was no room for my tent. I put it on the grass as there was not room on the tent pad. I was told by park person to move it in front of the picnic table which I did. I received a note from another ranger that I could not put my tent there and had to put in on the asphalt driveway. I informed them that I could not put the tent on the asphalt as the tent needs stakes to stand to which can't go into asphalt. So had to move the tent again onto the gravel which had 1 inch rocks poking into my back all night. Also facilities like water fountain were damaged by a tree what looked like years ago and had not been fixed so was not working. Campground staff were not very friendly.
Scott S
VerifiedMay 11, 2026 • Stayed at: E10, Loop: Generator Use
One of the nicest campgrounds I've stayed at in a National Park. Very clean restrooms!
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