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
martha k
VerifiedNovember 5, 2024 • Stayed at: G04, Loop: Generator Use
Spring and fall camping every year for 20 years in Elkmont.
First wanted to say how thankful I am for the people who volunteer and work for the park. You all are the ones that make the place safe and friendly.
The park is beautiful if you just stay within Elkmont with the Little River that runs through out. There’s also many trails like the little river trail and hiking to do within. If you are doing bigger hikes outside, it is a great place to come and relax. Especially after doing Mount Laconte, which was one of my favorites
Thanks to all that keep our parks beautiful and safe!
Isaac B
VerifiedNovember 1, 2024 • Stayed at: B16, Loop: Generator Free
Nice campground! The sites are big and the tent pads are perfect size for a bigger tent (12×12). The bathrooms are crap and don't have soap or anything to dry with so that's a major upgrade they NEED but other than that it is a great campground in GSMtns.
Michael W
VerifiedNovember 1, 2024 • Stayed at: B08, Loop: Generator Free
Beautiful spot. River is loud enough to cover noise from other sites.
Melissa B
VerifiedNovember 1, 2024 • Stayed at: E09, Loop: Generator Use
We had a wonderful fall Smokies experience with our site on the Little River. Bathrooms were always clean. Tent pad/ fire pit/ picnic table were all as expected.
First night a bear showed up in the campground about 3 bus lengths from where I was preparing dinner on my camp stove and I had to quickly move everything to the car and lock up. Ranger came before I finished putting my stuff away and scared him off. Definitely be prepared for a bear visit if you come.
Kurtis M
VerifiedNovember 1, 2024 • Stayed at: J05, Loop: Generator Use
First time at Elkmont, campground is absolutely gorgeous!! Rangers in the office were very nice and very helpful. Was there for 5 days and loved every minute, will definitely be returning. Very convenient campground also, not to far from Cades Cove and Townsend and only about 10 minutes away from Gatlinburg!
Patty R
VerifiedNovember 1, 2024 • Stayed at: F04, Loop: Generator Use
Perfect for what we wanted. A bear did visit the camp while we were there.
seong l
VerifiedNovember 1, 2024 • Stayed at: F07, Loop: Generator Use
Center point of GSMNP Beautiful fall colors VIEW.
F7 site close to comport room so good for seniors.
John P
VerifiedNovember 1, 2024 • Stayed at: N06, Loop: Generator Free
Oct 21-25 was peak color. Campground was not crowded. Was perfect. Hiked the local trails. Trees were beautiful. Temps were perfect for an evening fire. Perfect stay!!!
Ashley S
VerifiedOctober 30, 2024 • Stayed at: B18, Loop: Generator Free
Beautiful campground where almost every site is a top site. The only issue I’ve ever had here is being next to campers who do not understand bear safe camping and leave food out overnight.
John H
VerifiedOctober 30, 2024 • Stayed at: C05, Loop: Generator Use
Beautiful campground. Quiet, clean. Creek is right there and beautiful. Campsites are great.
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