Generations of campers have returned to Elkmont year after year, drawn by the sounds of the river, the tranquility of the forest, and the variety of recreational activities in the Elkmont area. Short walk to the clean bathrooms. One group campsite holds 15 people, two hold 20 people, and one can sleep 30. and reservations. The camp has no hookups. N2 and N3 are still nice campsites that I would stay in but just be prepared for early morning hikers. To get there, take US-411 from Gatlinburg to the Sugarlands Visitor Center. That means it is 5 -10 degrees cooler than Knoxville but it is still hot during the middle of the day in the summer months when the sun is directly overhead. This monster is about the max you can fit on a tent pad. Pets are allowed at Elkmont but must be on a physical, max 6 foot leash at all times. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. An upscale lodge? Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff. 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. Elkmont Campground is open from the second week of March until December 1st. Most have a lantern post of some kind although I would not count on hanging anything heavy from some of them. Table of Contents show Kids must wear helmets on bikes. We enjoyed a leisurely drive back to Elkmont where we made pancakes and enjoyed a lazy morning around the campsite because, hey, we already accomplished something that day! Go for the newer lights with the red light option as it really saves your night vision and is way less annoying for your tent mates and campsite neighbours on that late night bathroom run. as well as all water containers, MUST be stored. The sites along the river are highly recommended -- seek those out. Restrooms at Elkmont Campground have flush toilets, cold running water, and utility sinks. With its brilliant fall color display and the diminishing crowds from summer, now is the perfect time to check out this beautiful town. Or at any campground in the Smokies. 6.1 miles long but most people hike 2.5 miles up to intersection with Cucumber Gap and then return. Wood is $10/bundle at the campground so get some in town if you can. The sites along the river are highly recommended -- seek those out. They dont sell them in the park. The beauty of the campground makes the experience well worth it. These are popular trails in the park and Metcalf Bottoms is an extremely popular picnic area but you can get an early start because Elkmont Campground is only 5 miles away. 10 LGBTQ+-Friendly Campgrounds Throughout the U.S. 7 RV Campgrounds Along the Natchez Trace Parkway, 5 Alternatives to Utahs Popular National Parks, Where to Camp When Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Best National Parks for Stargazing, and Where to Camp, The Best National Forests for Winter Camping, The Best Campgrounds to Experience a Dark Sky Park, Upcoming Dispersed Camping Changes You Should Know About for 2022, 5 Southwestern State Parks Worthy of a Detour, Campendiums 15 Most Popular Bookable Campgrounds in 2022, Written by someone with an affiliation to the property, Duplicate review submitted by the same member, Multiple reviews submitted by members of the same household, Reviewer did not actually visit the location, 11 Smoky Mountain Campgrounds You'll Love in 2019, FPV Scooter Tour Great Smoky Mountains National Park Elkmont Campground, A Visit to Elkmont - Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Camping By The Little River, Sisters on the Fly (Smoky Mountains) - June 2014, Great Smoky Mountains National Park - June 2014, Sugarlands Visitor Center RV Dump Station, sq_lead_photo_urls => [[], ["https://campcdn.com/photos/9/9/9987/85414/sq/elkmont-campground.jpg?v=1633794840", "https://campcdn.com/photos/9/9/9987/135993/sq/elkmont-campground.jpg?v=1633813851", "https://campcdn.com/photos/9/9/9987/162895/sq/elkmont-campground.JPG?v=1633825097", "https://campcdn.com/photos/9/9/9987/171849/sq/elkmont-campground.jpeg?v=1633828960", "https://campcdn.com/photos/9/9/9987/162872/sq/elkmont-campground.JPG?v=1633825093", "https://campcdn.com/photos/9/9/9987/85415/sq/elkmont-campground.jpg?v=1633794839"]], description => ["Although most sites will accommodate tents or RVs, extreme slope or length of driveway make certain sites more suitable for tents than RVs. This is due to features of that specific campsite, such as steep or short drive ways. Dump station at Sugarlands Visitor Center; open seasonally. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, Getting there on an afternoon is slow because of Dollywood! Elkmont Ghost Town isn't hard to find! Lottery applications may also be submitted by calling 1-877-444-6777, but only while the lottery is open from April 26 - April 29th at 8pm. From Cherokee, NC: Take Tsali Boulevard (US 441) past the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Starlink worked in our site despite the trees, but there are sites on the south end where it would have worked better. This is one of the big complaints on TripAdvisor so I thought I would keep mentioning it so people arent surprised when they get to the campground. The exact opening and closing dates change each year, so be sure to visit the National Park Service's Frontcountry Camping web page for the latest schedule. 4. But is does have plenty of decent chain restaurants like Mellow Mushroom or Calhouns, plus the closest grocery store and outdoor outfitters. All of the river sites tend to be really close to each other but luckily the river is pretty loud, especially in spring, so can dampen noisy neighbors. The kids enjoy finding each sign and reading the associated blurb. This is a wonderful camp with some great sites along the river. Book on the recreation.gov website for Elkmont. 196 of the campsites at Elkmont were reserved last night. Is December good time to visit Smoky Mountains? Euro-Americans settlement of the Elkmont area began in the 19th century when the Ownby and Trentham families farmed land along Jakes Creek. Don't buy it at Marathon outside of park. There are vending machines too by the campground store, in case you have a Snickers craving in the middle of the night. and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. GP 03 is also good although smaller than GP 04 and a little closer to the other 2 group sites. However, it is surrounded by extensive history, river access, hiking trails and is also home to world famous synchronized fireflies. For campground inquiries, please call: 865-430-5560 FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 1-877-444-6777, Learn more about gear rental options for your trip. The camp has no hookups. Dispose of garbage promptly in dumpsters provided. Quiet hours are in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. more. Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff. This is campsite K8. Sample of the Elkmont campsite list from the recreation.gov website. The Wonderland Hotel used to sit right at the top of the steps here. Fee: $40 per night Dates Open: May 13 - October 30, 2022 Directions to Smokemont Campground Smokemont Campground is in the southeastern area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about six miles from Cherokee, North Carolina. The walk in sites of B loop (sites B21-36) back up to the Little River Road which can be busy even into the night, especially in early June when people come to watch the fireflies on the Little River and Jakes Creek Trails. See the Firewood FAQs page for additional information. Wondering if your kids can handle this can't miss Smokies trail? This is a short but pretty (and often overlooked) loop trail adjacent to the eastern half of the campground. Ours was not. Large sections of frozen water can develop on trails, making them hazardous to cross. No restrooms right now. Little River and Jakes Creek run through the campground, offering easy access for fishing or cool summertime splashing. We enjoyed Little River Trail near Elkmont and Gatlinburg trail near Sugarlands visitor center. We also stayed in J12 which is right on the river, but a little further away, which means 10' farther to carry your chairs. Upon the creation of the national park in the 1930s, most of Elkmont's cottage owners were given lifetime leases. The nearest RV dump/fill station is located across from Sugarlands Visitor Center approximately 6 miles from Elkmont. This is an extremely popular campground and is almost always completely booked. However, there is one at the the Sugarland Visitor Center. Definitely not for strollers but fine for toddlers due to its short length and minimal elevation gain. Impress your family with new vacation ideas and creative travel insight gleaned from our quarterly mashup. We give you the lowdown on the best places to stay in or near Townsend. The park service is finally starting to enforce parking regulations at Laurel Falls to prevent people from parking all over the road anymore. Food safety is strictly enforced-- no food or even water left at campsite or in tents when not actively cooking or eating. The following campgrounds have on-site firewood sales: Park campgrounds are not gated. more. You can only use a tent in these sites, no RVs. There is also a group section with 4 campsites for 7-30 people. Is Smoky Mountain National Park open in the winter? The rangers and the campground host do patrol around during the day and will write you up or even confiscate stuff if you are particularly egregious. - Lottery Closes April 29th at 8:00pm - Results Announced Friday, May 10th Or is glamping more your style? The bathrooms were clean, and the campground appeared well cared for. and Tantrum Brewing Company. Dispose of garbage promptly in dumpsters provided. 434 Elkmont Rd Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Get directions Edit business info Amenities and More Good For Kids Private Lot Parking No Bike Parking Ask the Community Ask a question Yelp users haven't asked any questions yet about Elkmont Campground. Please select a reason for flagging this item: 2023 Campendium Inc. All rights reserved. Besides just the normal amount of traffic for a campground of this size, you also get people heading to the popular trailheads of Little River and Jakes Creek trails so you get road noise from that too. While most Elkmont residents' leases expired . But I am a bug magnet and always suffer from mosquitoes. Pets are not allowed on trails. The campground gates do not lock at night. No threaded faucets or dump station at the campground. Lots of room and privacy. In about 1910, the company began selling land to individuals for the . B21, B22, B23, B24 are the best of the bunch here for shade and privacy, and I would skip all of the other B sites. Besides the 20 walk in campsites at Elkmont, there are additional campsites scattered throughout the campground that are also restricted to tent only use. Port o potties. I asked her if it was frozen spiritual water. Tennessee state law requires bicycle helmets for riders under 16 years of age. So it fills up fast. July 24, 2022by Hugo Warren Smokemont Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open year-round, though some sections are closed in the winter. Each campsite has a fire ring, picnic table, and tent pad. Pets are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet. I have actually turned around on the Newfound Gap road and given up because it was so terrible. The problem has been fixed for 2022 but it is possible more repairs in the future may happen (it is super old okay, give it a break). Campground with huge trees, lots of space between sites, sites laid out in interesting pattern rather than parallel rows. Walker Sisters Cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains. The river is about 10 ft down just beyond the edge of the tent pad seen on M6. Campsite K1-4, K6, K7 & K11 and also sites L1-7 . Parks near 17695 Broken Spur Dr include Falcon Meadow RV Campground, Wonderland Ranch, and Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch. Being in the foothills at only 2,200 feet in elevation, cold weather and snow are not factors in keeping the place running during the winter. Otters were released here in the 1990s so keep an eye for them. This campground was our choice for our first night camping in our "new to us" truck camper. RVs limited to 3 You can make a reservation for the Elkmont campground online at Recreation.gov. The fireflies are best viewed in late May or early June. Solar was ineffective due to the trees and sun angle this time of year. The exact season changes from year to year so check the website. You will find a good number of flush bathrooms spaced around the campground with mens and womens sides that each have 3-4 stalls inside and sinks. Dispose of garbage promptly in dumpsters provided. On June 12, a bear ripped into a tent at Elkmont Campground in search of food, according to officials. I included a sample from the website below so you can see what I mean by the specific campsite descriptions. The only drawback to this site is it is up some stairs from the parking area which can be annoying for carrying coolers back and forth. RVs should stop at Sugarlands before checking into their site to dump and to stock up on water. Reservations are required to camp in Elkmont Campground, which is typically open from mid-April to late November. Most importantly, please keep in mind that the Smokies is a temperate rain forest and gets as much rain as the Pacific Northwest. Bundles of certified heat-treated firewood are available for sale in the communities surrounding the national park. Has good general information on the park and decent campground and picnic area info, but does not have a comprehensive list of trails. We always make sure everyone is wearing hiking shoes now. This section of the Elkmont Historic District was called Millionaires Row. All pets must be kept on a six foot leash at all times. N2 and N3 at the far end of the N loop on the west side might look like they would have a lot of privacy but there is a cut through trail that leads to the Jakes Creek and Little River trailheads next to these 2 sites so they arent as quiet as you might think. The National Park Service recently announced that four historic buildings in Elkmont are now open to the public. At Elkmont Campground in The Great Smokey Mountains National Park there are plenty of beautiful hiking trails to explore. Can you camp in the Smoky Mountains in the winter? The traffic was crazy! Wood needs to be certified heat treated. Three of those sites have 5 amp hook up available for medical devices such as a CPAP machine- A3, D9 and G6. The beauty of the campground makes the experience well worth it. See our full disclosure policy to find out why we dont accept freebies or sponsored visits and what our affiliate links mean for you cost-wise (hint- nothing). The campground has cabins ,tiny homes, RV spaces, glamping tents. Camping World Continues Expansion with the Acquisition of Ashley Outdoors in Salem, Alabama. What is the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains? Due to its central location and variety of amenities, Elkmont Campground tends to be heavily used during the summer vacation months and in October. The only hiccup to this is that they sometimes dont release next years reservations until January or even later. At an elevation of 2,150 feet, the area enjoys a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Read on to learn all about the history of Elkmont and the newly opened cabins. I repeat- There is no electricity/ water/ sewer hookups at any campsite in Elkmont. The campground is also host to 20 walk-in campsites. Thank you for helping us protect our resources for future generations by, Parking it Forward!. That meant we had to go back into Pigeon Forge & south into the park. It is the closest campground to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. With more people enjoying the outdoors, ranger districts and campers are reporting a higher-than- Must-Visit RV and Camping Rallies, Shows, and Events for 2023. Be the first to add a video for Elkmont Campground! Elkmont Campground with No Dump Station. Such fabulous scenery, lots of traffic because everyone wants to enjoy it. Take a left at the sign for Elkmont Nature Trail, where you . more. . The tourism industry in Elkmont started small, with an open-air observation car on the back of the logging train. The park is open from March 13 to November 28, which will give you plenty of time to enjoy the area. The NPS set up Porta-potties.. we did not use them. *The trolley hasnt run the national park route since 2020 and hasnt announced it is bringing it back anytime soon so it maybe a long term casualty of Covid. You'll turn here until you see the ranger station about 4 miles down the road. To be safe, carry a rain jacket with you in your backpack at all times and dont leave your rainfly off your tent if you leave the campground for a few hours and its completely sunny with 0% chain of rain in the forecast. *Food safety has become a real problem in recent years, including in 2022 when a bear attacked people that had food in their tent at Elkmont. There is an official 8 day long festival during the peak of the mating season when trolleys bring loads of people in and the place is a zoo. If you would love to see Clingmans without sacrificing your sanity, then take advantage of the relative nearness of Elkmont Campground and plan an early morning start. Not easy to do in the Smokies most of the time. This is my biggest pet peeve of frontcountry camping. The inner sites of Loop A are the worst for this. This is a wonderful site as there aren't immediate neighbours on either side and the river is just beyond the tent pad. Look out for lots of standing chimneys, educational signs, and of course the legendary troll bridge. None of the tent pads are particularly far from the parking so unless mobility is really an issue, then I would not let that deter you from these sites. It has 200 RV/ tent sites plus 2o walk in sites for tents only spread over 14 loops in the campground, labeled A-N. Violators are subject to fines. The nearby and popular Laurel Falls Trail leads to a spectacular 80-ft. waterfall. If you are an est person, ie like to do the highest, longest, fastest, etc, then check out the SkyBridge at SkyLift Park as it is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America. Potable water is available at spigots near each restroom; use of hoses is not allowed. Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM-6:00 AM. Turn a right at Sugarlands Visitor Center. My Familys Favorite Historic Site In The Smokies, Everything You Wanted To Know About Elkmont Campground In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/upload/Elkmont.pdf, Energizer Rechargeable LED Headlamp, IPX4 Water Resistant, High-Powered Bright LED, Multiple Light Modes, Best Headlight for Camping, Running, Outdoors, Emergency Light, USB Included, Black, Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Kids: A Local's Guide, 10 Fun Things To Do At Elkmont Campground In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Your Guide To Biking Cades Cove in the Smokies, What You Need To Know About The Townsend Historical Trail, A Greenway Just Outside The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove Campground In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking Alum Cave Trail To Mount LeConte With Kids- Family Hikes In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Where To Stay In Townsend- The Gateway to the Smokies, Favorite Hikes With Kids In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, A Simply Awesome Day in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Which Campground to Choose in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park? Bring bathing suits, water shoes, and towels in the summer for the river. Elkmont Campground Name: Elkmont Campground Nearest Gateway City: Gatlinburg, TN Elevation: 2,150' Individual Camp Sites: 220 Fee: $25 to $27 per night Dates Open: April 29 - October 30, 2022 Group Campsites: 4 (15 - 30 persons) Fee: $30 to $60 Dates Open: April 29 - October 30, 2022 Quiet hours are from 10 pm- 6 am and no generators between 8 pm and 8 am. This family friendly campground is one of our favorites in the Smokies and we return to it again and again. As you can see, it is close to its neighbours but the proximity to the river makes it worth it. Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Recreation.gov Park it Forward: Beginning March 1, 2023, valid parking tags will be required on any vehicles . January and February are typically the coldest months of the year in the Smokies. 343 . Campsites are available during the off-season on a first come, first served basis at reduced rates. All Rights Reserved. Camping in the Great Smokey Mountains is fairly primitive. This option will reset the home page of this site. Hammock camping is fairly popular at Elkmont. The Clingmans Dome road closure lasts from December 1 through March 31. This year (2022), the recreation.gov website had availability for May 2023 in Nov 2022 so it looks like the 6 month release is working. With around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. It is open from mid-March to late November each year. You can see the campsites in the inner A loops are really close together. These are our familys top 10 favorite activities when we camp at Elkmont. as well as all water containers, MUST be stored. You can walk to it along the Little River Road or take a cut through path between campsites C11 and C12. Shower facilities are available in the communities surrounding the park just ask the campground host about the nearest facilities when you check in. "], open_seasonally_text => ["March-Nov.", "March - Nov."], phone_reservation => ["(877) 444-6777", "877-444-6777"], website => ["https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232487", "https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/elkmont-campground.htm"]. Where is the best place to set up a tent? NO. Even non food items like candles and scented soaps count because bears think they smell super interesting and are curious to know if they are, in fact, food. Recreation.gov! When you click on a specific campsite, you will find multiple pictures and the boxes at the top will tell you max length of RV/motorhome that can be parked at that site or if it is for tent only. Elkmont campground has 200 standard tent and RV campsites with paved driveways, gravel tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. We have switched all of our headlamps to the red kind now and it was absolutely worth it. The NPS developed the Elkmont Campground in the late '50s and early '60s. L2 is another of my favorites as it has a ton of privacy even though it doesnt look like it on the map. There were port-a-potties which were serviced almost daily while we were there and the water fountains and spigots outside the restroom buildings were still operational. 7-year-old Georgia girl dies when tree falls on tent at Elkmont Campground, rangers say. It is a bit hard to find so read this excellent write up by Hiking In The Smokies. So before you schedule your visit, it is a good idea to check the local Elkmont Campground weather to see if you need to bring your rain gear. No restrooms right now. Hiking, swimming, biking, fishing, history there is even a ghost town on site to explore. Sites are nicely spaced apart, and even though we weren't on a river, there were plenty of river access spots. Overall, the B sites are small and offer little privacy. As is the case with many national parks, there are no showers in the Great Smoky National Park campgrounds. Please check the descriptions and measurements of individual sites.\r\n\r\nBears and other wildlife frequent the area. Elkmont Campground is the largest campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most stores in the nearby towns of Gatlinburg, Townsend, and Wears Valley will also sell the correct wood and probably a little cheaper. Map courtesy of OpenStreetMaps with my own additions. We wont beat around the bush here January is typically the coldest month of the year in the Smokies. Drive toward Cades Cove for about 7 miles until you see a sign for Elkmont Campground. In season, no walk0ins are allowed, and camping is strictly by reservation - go here to check availability and book online. Dont just ask to use the showers or they will say no. Beginning March 1, valid parking tag is required for any vehicle parking for more than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Toured the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center in Townsend . See our blog about this hike for more pictures and info about the fascinating history of these two places- You Go Sister! One of the most popular trails in the park, this is an old logging road/railroad bed so it is wide and fairly flat, at least for the first few miles. The campground is still open and is a popular place for visitors to come for the annual synchronous fireflies spectacle. Townsend, TN is a great basecamp to explore the Smokies. Cell phone coverage is a no for any service I have tried over the years- Verizon, T Mobile, AT&T, and US Cellular. The panoramic vistas from the viewing platform atop the tallest peak in the Smokies are undeniably spectacular but the traffic getting there is undeniably awful. Check out time is 12 pm and you can check in after 1 pm. For older kids, it is super fun to walk through in the evening because it does definitely feel like a ghost town.. These sites have wide concrete driveways, raised fire rings, and wheelchair accessible picnic tables. Gatlinburgs Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies is worth a visit, especially for a rainy day activity. The Elkmont season is generally late spring to late fall (March/ April/ May thru Oct/ Nov) and you can reserve sites 6 months in advance. The "Main Street" of Daisy Town in Elkmont. As it was off season, it was mostly empty. I am always amazed how late people return to this campground. Please note that parking tags will be required for vehicles in excess of what is allowable for each campsite. Elkmont Ghost Town History. Ice and snow flurries are probable, especially in the higher elevations. . Get your water at the Sugarlands Visitor Center (dump station) on the way to Elkmont. All scented items (candles, soap, etc.) Two of the largest campgrounds are found in the Tennessee side of the national park: Elkmont Campground and Cades Cove Campground. For more information please read our privacy policy. Reservations are required to camp in Elkmont Campground, which is typically open from mid-April to late November. Sites along Little River are in particularly high demand. A and B loops are the worst for this because they are by the entrance to the campground so get everyone exiting and entering plus the road noise from the adjacent Little River road. Although you could easily spend a week here, we think this one day plan captures the spirit and beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The climate in this part of the Smokies is not that different than the surrounding area, mostly because Elkmont is not at a particularly high elevation (only 2150 feet). Turn left at Sugarlands Visitor Center.
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