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
Steve L
VerifiedNovember 25, 2024 • Stayed at: E06, Loop: Generator Use
We had a great time at Elkmont. Even though there are no hookups, we were able to stay for 4 days while charging our batteries on solar and generator. The sounds of the Little River provide a calming ambiance and the many hiking options help bring you closer to nature.
Mandy M
VerifiedNovember 24, 2024 • Stayed at: G04, Loop: Generator Use
Beautiful and well maintained campground. We stayed for a week and split our stay between 2 waterfront generator sites. Both sites were perfect for an authentic Smokies camping experience. We loved falling asleep listening to the river! So peaceful!! Great "home-base" for exploring nearby hiking trails, Laurel Falls, as well as Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome), Cades Cove and also enjoying DT Gatlinburg. Since this campground does not have a water fill/dump station we utilized the dump station across from Sugarlands Visitor Center- which also has potable water- before heading back up to our campsite. This will definitely be our go-to campground when visiting the Smokies!
Mykola M
VerifiedNovember 24, 2024 • Stayed at: F13, Loop: Generator Use
Great campground!
Douglas M
VerifiedNovember 22, 2024 • Stayed at: B14, Loop: Generator Free
Lisa G
VerifiedNovember 21, 2024 • Stayed at: A19, Loop: Generator Free
Elkmont is my very favorite place to camp in the smoky mountains. I love how you can walk to the trails from your campsite, visit the historical cottages and then simply disappear into the forest.
The staff at the registration desk is friendly and knowledgeable. Also the camp host who drives around the campground on a consistent basis makes one feel safe. The only recommendation I have is to restore the bathrooms. They are clean however soap dispenser is missing, bathroom, stall latches, broken, etc. Thank you
Jeffery D
VerifiedNovember 19, 2024 • Stayed at: E07, Loop: Generator Use
Great location and excellent facilities.
Kathleen M
VerifiedNovember 19, 2024 • Stayed at: B01, Loop: Generator Free
Excellent location and quiet
Jennifer S
VerifiedNovember 18, 2024 • Stayed at: A07, Loop: Generator Free
I loved my campsite and it was a wonderful night.
Please bring back the soap in the restrooms. I have heard multiple people wonder why there is not soap with the increased funding and camping fees.
Also, we hardly camp at Elkmont anymore because it has the rule that you have to go and check in before 8:30 am or you may forfeit your campsite. A lot of times we don’t get there until late at night and we need to hike very early in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds - so wedon’t want to worry about losing the campsite because we failed to check in. We shouldn’t be forced to wait to hike until 9 am when we like to go way earlier. A lot of the other campgrounds just trust you and don’t force you to check in. At minimum, I suggest removing the language about forfeiting the campsite if you don’t check in by 8:30. I think it should be presumed you are there legitimately unless you see a tent where there is not a reservation or someone reports someone is on the site that is supposed to be theirs.
Don B
VerifiedNovember 18, 2024 • Stayed at: D04, Loop: Generator Use
Elkmont is beautiful in any season.
The campground hosts, Clyde and Debbie Whitaker, made us feel that everything was being well looked after.
Gary B
VerifiedNovember 17, 2024 • Stayed at: A22, Loop: Generator Free
This campground is really beautiful. Large level sites, the place is large and have special section for generator use. I was there with a group in november2024, the place was almost full and i could barely hear any generator noise which was nice. Suggest you buy firewood (per policy) outside the park because at the campground it is crazy expensive, this is my only complaint! The staff were all very kind and knowledgable, restrooms were clean.
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