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
Diane H
VerifiedJuly 5, 2025 • Stayed at: J04, Loop: Generator Use
We have been coming to Elkmont now for 60+ years. We started out as children and brought our children and grandchildren over the years. We love the peacefulness, the natural beauty, the sound of the creek and all things nature. Hopefully we will continue to come to Elkmont as long as we are able. The Hartman's, Hixson, TN
Dana C
VerifiedJuly 5, 2025 • Stayed at: K05, Loop: Generator Use
Elmont is one of the most beautiful parks I’ve ever seen. I’ve camped all over the United States. It’s nestled in the mountains always has a cool breeze and it surrounded by water. The only thing I think that could improve it as we camp in an RV and there is no dump station at Elmont. I wish one could be added somewhere so you don’t have to drive down to Sugarland to dump your tanks.
Wes P
VerifiedJuly 5, 2025 • Stayed at: F13, Loop: Generator Use
When it was 95° in Knoxville it was 88 in Elkmont; wonderful. Bear traps were in some of the campsites and the ranger gave strict protocol to guard against bear encounters; even removing water containers from the table when we weren't going to be there. Wonderful place, great hikes and fishing opportunities.
Ethan B
VerifiedJuly 4, 2025 • Stayed at: B34, Loop: Generator Free
Had a great time at Elkmont. Stayed in site B34 (one of the walk in sites). If I went back, I’d choose the same loop. Love the little river running right near the campground, easy access for swimming. Rangers office, firewood, bathrooms all good condition. Stayed for 7 days and still didn’t feel long enough. Awesome proximity to anything in the park, Gatlinburg, or Pigeon Forge.
Jenna B
VerifiedJuly 2, 2025 • Stayed at: D03, Loop: Generator Use
Excellent campground. We had a wonderful stay. Clean sites and bathrooms. Remember they don’t provide bear boxes so you need to store all food and food related goods in your car at all times when not in use. The river was beautiful and great fun for the kids. We saw fishermen every day and kids tubing on the weekend. One difficulty is that it rained frequently during our visit and our tent pad flooded a little during a heavy rain but others flooded a lot. It’s hard to anticipate which sites tent pads flood more until it rains heavily.
Maura M
VerifiedJuly 2, 2025 • Stayed at: D05, Loop: Generator Use
Lovely, mature campground (in that there is great tree coverage), very close to Cade's Cove. Had a nice stay at Elkmont- lots of families staying for at least a week at a time, felt very welcome and the creek is incredibly fresh and clean!
Terri G
VerifiedJuly 1, 2025 • Stayed at: B22, Loop: Generator Free
Love GSMNP. We come here often. This campsite is very close to a road though the traffic was mostly gone after 7p .
It's a shame the current administration does not recognize our np and their staff as the gems they are. Cutting staff and budgets means things don't get repaired in a timely manner. Please support our rangers in their efforts to keep our national parks safe and functioning.
Kat W
VerifiedJuly 1, 2025 • Stayed at: H02, Loop: Generator Use
Great campground. Helpful and kind volunteers and staff. Unforgettable experience to see the fireflies.
Robert A
VerifiedJuly 1, 2025 • Stayed at: G14, Loop: Generator Use
Our campsite along the river was extremely beautiful.
Kristina R
VerifiedJune 30, 2025 • Stayed at: B22, Loop: Generator Free
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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