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
Kathy C
VerifiedMarch 30, 2025 β’ Stayed at: C02, Loop: Generator Use
Great location, not an easy walk to river but doable.
Paul Y
VerifiedMarch 30, 2025 β’ Stayed at: A06, Loop: Generator Free
We routinely stay at Elkmont CG. Granted, it's large with not a lot of privacy - but it is a NPS CG. Clean. Prefer the non-generator loop(s). A great base to fly fish the TN side of the park as well as hiking too.
Stephan H
VerifiedMarch 29, 2025 β’ Stayed at: C10, Loop: Generator Use
We really enjoyed our experience at Elkmont. We were in site C10 with a 21 foot travel trailer and truck. We had plenty of room and the site was fairly level. Most of the sites are near the restrooms. The sites are laid out well and it didn't feel we were right on top of other campers.
Max U
VerifiedMarch 29, 2025 β’ Stayed at: B02, Loop: Generator Free
I always love staying here! The rangers are so kind and welcoming.
Ruby V
VerifiedMarch 29, 2025 β’ Stayed at: A11, Loop: Generator Free
The campground was wonderful, the weather was standard for March, and the location was amazing. Elkmont is close to a lot of different trailheads that lets you pick and choose the length of your journey.
Paul M
VerifiedMarch 28, 2025 β’ Stayed at: D13, Loop: Generator Use
The campgrounds were extremely clean and well kept. Restrooms were spotless. It's quiet, roomy pads that help you feel like you are further away from others than you are .
Laura T
VerifiedMarch 28, 2025 β’ Stayed at: A04, Loop: Generator Free
Unfortunately loop B, though generator free, is abetted to loop C, which allows generators, which our neighbor ran for hours. Also, many very noisy "slingshots" traversing up and down the road extremely close to our site.
Thomas L
VerifiedMarch 26, 2025 β’ Stayed at: B04, Loop: Generator Free
Great location. Nice bathrooms. Onsite store to buy wood and small camping supplies if needed.
Donald R
VerifiedDecember 10, 2024 β’ Stayed at: F10, Loop: Generator Use
The campground was well maintained, the restrooms were very clean, and the campground was not crowded. The only downside was that we were too late to see the leaves changing.
Eli B
VerifiedDecember 8, 2024 β’ Stayed at: D06, Loop: Generator Use
We loved it. We stayed right on the river and itβs within walking distance of trails and short driving distance of a beautiful waterfall. Highly recommend
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