Camping at Elkmont Campground in Gatlinburg

Destinations Southeast Tennessee Gatlinburg

Camping at Elkmont Campground in Gatlinburg

Camping at Elkmont Campground offers an unforgettable experience within the breathtaking Smoky Mountains. Unique for its rich history and stunning natural beauty, this cherished location allows visitors to immerse themselves in the great outdoors while being close to nature's pristine environment. The campground's connection to the area’s past as a thriving logging community enhances its appeal, making it a noteworthy destination for camping enthusiasts.

Adventure Guide to Camp at Elkmont Campground

Elkmont Campground: The main campground is uniquely positioned along the Little River, providing the soothing sounds of flowing water. It features 220 campsites, making it a favorite among visitors. Accessibility to hiking trails, such as the popular Lemon Gap Trail, adds to its charm, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Historical Structures: Nearby, visitors can explore remnants of the old Elkmont community, including vacation cabins built in the early 1900s. These structures illustrate the rich cultural history of the area, and guided tours occasionally provide insight into the lives of early settlers.
Wildlife Viewing: The campground is a prime location for observing wildlife, including deer and various bird species. With specified viewing areas and signs posted by park rangers, guests can safely enjoy the natural inhabitants of the Smokies.

Local Insights

Elkmont Campground once served as a summer retreat for wealthy families from Knoxville and beyond. The area is also famous for its enchanting fireflies, which attract crowds during their mating season in late May to early June.

Visitor Tips

Best Times to Visit: Late spring and early fall are ideal for comfortable temperatures and vibrant foliage.
What to Bring: Pack essentials such as a tent, sleeping bag, cooking supplies, insect repellent, and a camera for capturing stunning views.
Driving Directions: From Gatlinburg, take US-441 S (The Parkway) for approximately 8 miles to find the campground entrance. The drive offers scenic views, making the journey part of the adventure.

Camping at Elkmont Campground provides an enriching experience that extends beyond simple outdoor fun, allowing you to connect deeply with nature and the historical roots of this unique location.

Adventure Map

Gatlinburg Info

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Reviews

Dan Schmidt4 months ago

Stayed in site E-7. It was an awesome campsite steps from the river! Very relaxing at night to listen to the noise of the water. This was a generator section of the park. However, I never heard one. It was mostly tent campers stay there. Maybe we got lucky. Bathrooms weren't anything special. Bring your own soap to wash your hands.

Jon J4 months ago

Great campground. Sites are great or just ok. The ones on the water vary. Creek or river, steep unsafe bank or nice path to the water. The bathrooms are nice but do not have showers. Some bathrooms were closed. The trails near buy are gravel roads... not my thing. It's really a great spot to camp and listen to the rapids while you fall asleep. Close enough to town but far enough away with plenty to do. The camp store is tiny and insanely pricey. We had a blast.

Dan Jones2 weeks ago

This is a VERY popular campground in GSMNP. There are multiple hiking options from very easy hikes up Little River trail, there are 2 options for a strenuous 8ish mile one way hike up to the Appalachian trail, and multiple variations of anything in between. The almost finished, refurbished vacation resort town of Elkmont gives you a great idea of higher end vacationing is from a nearly a century ago. Whether in Elmont or out on a trail remember that all this area was heavily logged a century ago. Imagine how huge the trees would have been in this beautiful forest.

CRYSTAL FAULKNER3 months ago

The host stayed on to us the entire time. Can't park in grass , can't park in dirt, no coolers (just water) quiet time is 8:00!!!! No generator after that..not even a quiet one. Neighbors complaining. Beautiful place but we're very respectful people but this was ridiculous. We would never camp here again. I felt like a child.

P. Kelly4 months ago

Elkmont is my favorite place to camp in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I have been going there for three decades now. Campsites are great. River sites are my favorite, but can be hard to come by if you don't book far in advance. Great value at $30/night. Also fun activities available like river walking, tubing, hiking, fishing, nature photography, Laurel Falls trail, Cucumber Gap trail. Follow the food storage guidelines and you won't have to worry about safety. Never had a problem with theft in all my years of camping there.