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
Annabell O
VerifiedJune 18, 2025 • Stayed at: G14, Loop: Generator Use
With some effort and planning (being ready to make reservations on the booking site at 7am for several days in a row), we got lucky and secured one of the coveted campsites right along the Little River (G14). Going to sleep listening to the rushing water was wonderful. We missed the synchronous firefly viewing event by 2 days but were fortunate again in that those little bugs were still flashing while we visited - they're truly magical! Great to be able to walk to Jakes Creek trail and/or the Little River trail right from the campsite to witness this spectacular light show.
The major drawback were the bathrooms at the campground, with 1/3 of them closed. The rangers did their best to help out, but for the volume of visitors at a fully booked campground the available facilities were just not quite enough. Other than that, we're very grateful we got to camp here!
Emily C
VerifiedJune 18, 2025 • Stayed at: M05, Loop: Generator Free
We had such a great time at Elkmont. The campground was clean and quiet, and falling asleep to the sound of the river was magic. The rangers and hosts were friendly and helpful as well. I made a note to bring a bottle of soap for the bathroom as there was often none.
Gordon E
VerifiedJune 18, 2025 • Stayed at: G06, Loop: Generator Use
Well kept campground
Randy C
VerifiedJune 16, 2025 • Stayed at: B25, Loop: Generator Free
No comment
Kassie S
VerifiedJune 16, 2025 • Stayed at: E02, Loop: Generator Use
Great time!
Lauren B
VerifiedJune 16, 2025 • Stayed at: K01, Loop: Generator Use
Beautiful campground! Synchronous fireflies are a must!
Sherri J
VerifiedJune 16, 2025 • Stayed at: A08, Loop: Generator Free
You won’t regret your forest experience in Elkmont campground. Be respectful and enjoy the quiet forest.
Michael M
VerifiedJune 15, 2025 • Stayed at: G08, Loop: Generator Use
Checked in, not very personable. Went to my campsite, only to find a truck parked in my campsite. I had to search for the owner, and the neighboring campers denied knowing who it belonged to, then admitted it belonged to their visiting family member. After a 45 min delay, finally I am able to begin unloading my gear to set up. Then a camp host comes by, tells me that I had to move my vehicle because two of my tires were on gravel. I told him I would like to unload and then move it and I shared with him about my delay due to a blocking vehicle. He admitted knowing about the vehicle blocking my site, and he just left and left it for me to deal with. But, he certainly returned to force me to move my vehicle because two tires were on the gravel (not grass or part of the campsite). Not exactly what I am accustomed to when visiting a national park. Otherwise, an excellent campground and national park.
Gary H
VerifiedJune 14, 2025 • Stayed at: D09, Loop: Generator Use
Campground in good condition. Our only problem was that one of the weeks that we were there was the firefly exhibition. We watched crowds of people heading up to it. I am handicapped with limited walking ability. We asked the ranger if there was any way that I could be driven up to it and he said that my husband could drive me up there, then drive back to our campsite, and then walk to the event. Then he added that my husband could not pick me up until 11 pm when the show was over as they didn't want headlights disturbing the bugs. That would not work. So we never got to see them. I certainly understand that you need to cater to the masses, but it did make our stay there somewhat negative.
Reza B
VerifiedJune 14, 2025 • Stayed at: E01, Loop: Generator Use
good site, next to the brook, clean toilets, not much shade on the tent
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