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
Susan C
VerifiedJune 14, 2025 • Stayed at: F05, Loop: Generator Use
There is a bathroom very close to this site, but it’s closed. So you have to walk a ways to the next bathroom.
The site is a great location. However, we had a huge storm come through while we stayed. The tent pad was like a pool. Our stuff flooded and we ended up heading back home.
There is a lot of poison ivy around the site.
Being right next to the water was lovely.
Natalie N
VerifiedJune 14, 2025 • Stayed at: L08, Loop: Generator Free
First visit to the Great Smoky Mountains and it exceeded all my expectations! Such a beautiful campground, and we were lucky enough to see the synchronous fireflies, which were still actively flashing the day after the lottery! Loved all the old stone chimneys left along Jake’s Creek Trail. Beautiful!!
Tao W
VerifiedJune 13, 2025 • Stayed at: K08, Loop: Generator Use
Beautiful place with natural sound of a creek
Kim L
VerifiedJune 13, 2025 • Stayed at: A17, Loop: Generator Free
We stayed at Elkmont for 5 nights. It is a beautiful campground with lots of trees and a pretty stream. We enjoyed doing some hiking on trails from the campground. We also enjoyed stepping back in time, exploring the preserved houses in Daisytown. The Sugarland Visitor center, which was nearby, was worth visiting. Because we were there at the beginning of June we were able to view the spectacular synchronous fireflies. Elkmont is a campground with no electric, water, or sewer hookups. They have bathrooms with lights, flushing toilets and sinks. I wish the bathrooms had warm showers. Then I would give Elkmont 5 stars!
Lance R
VerifiedJune 13, 2025 • Stayed at: F13, Loop: Generator Use
Elkmont is only 15 minutes from Gatlinburg. It is a very good campground for those that don't need showers or a lot of frills. We were there in early November last year and early June this year. The bugs weren't bad either time and we didn't need our screen tent. Most sites are well shaded and well spaced. Some sites are along a stream and water rushing over the rocks is pretty loud. You can hear the water in most of the sites.
Campsites vary widely in how deep the driveways are and how level they are front-to-back or side-to side. If you have a camper near the longest size listed for the site you might have a tight fit. Tent pads vary in size and can be somewhat sloped. A few tent pads have the border timbers level with the ground so they can accommodate a pretty large tent. Check the site pictures on recreation.gov and sites like campgroundphotos.com for more info.
Restrooms are generally located in the center of campsite loops with paved paths leading to them. Water spigots are located at the restrooms so RV campers should bring a long enough hose to reach to the roadway to fill their fresh water tank. The RV dump site is 6 miles away near the Sugarland Visitor Center. The driveway is narrow, has tight turns and has trees and large rocks near the pavement. If you have a long camper or RV be sure to scout it without your RV.
Campground rules require all food related items (including water bottles and cans) be stored in a hard-sided vehicle when not actually in use. Read that again and pay attention to it. While we were there a bear came into a campsite while the occupants were present and took their cooler off their table. Don't forget that anything with a scent will attract bears so lock up toothbrushes, toothpaste, antiperspirant, etc. Bear resistant food storage bins are available for backpackers, motorcycle campers, etc to lock up their food items. There are bear-proof trash bins throughout the campground. Learn to use them and to use them often.
Nate L
VerifiedJune 13, 2025 • Stayed at: D10, Loop: Generator Use
Stayed at site D-10 and loved it! We have a 30' Airstream and the site was perfect. The short roads in between the loop are quiet and nice for kids to ride bikes. Site was a bit close to the neighbors behind us but on the curb side of the camper is lots of trees and a long distance to the next camp site. Even though we were not by the water the kids were able to find plenty of places to get in the stream at campsites that were not being used or other areas they could find. We saw the fireflies and made many day trips/hikes in the park. It is a short walk to watch the fireflies and it is a must do! Great campground location to do many things! Be prepared to keep your camp items contained there is a large bear presence; the first night we were there they caught a 400+ pound bear that had been coming into the camp. It is so nice to know the rangers are monitoring things and being proactive to keep campers and the bears safe!
Paul R
VerifiedJune 13, 2025 • Stayed at: A07, Loop: Generator Free
Amazing place.. 2nd time I've been there and will be going back.. Gentleman working the front gate was a little spent but maybe it was just a bad day for him.. It happens to us all. Go and enjoy the water, hiking, and all the outdoor activities around..
Daniel M
VerifiedJune 13, 2025 • Stayed at: L07, Loop: Generator Free
Beautiful campground, and excellent viewing opportunity for the fireflies!!!
Eliot M
VerifiedJune 13, 2025 • Stayed at: E16, Loop: Generator Use
We love camping at Elkmont. We have done it many times over the last few years. We always get a site which allows generator use so we have power. The campground is clean and well kept. The rangers and park employees are professional, helpful and nice. My two complaints are this. The dump station and potable water spicket across from Sugarland needs to be widened. I can not get my 5th wheel in that tight space. I had to use a water bladder in the back of my truck to get water and we camped at a State Park when we left to dump our tanks. My second complaint was with my campsite in the E loop. When it rained, all the water runoff from the street came directly into my site. We were underwater until it quit raining and dried out.
Jessica L
VerifiedJune 12, 2025 • Stayed at: C04, Loop: Generator Use
Love Elkmont. So peaceful and relaxing.
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
