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Elkmont Campground

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With 220 sites, Elkmont is the largest campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, set at 2,150 feet in elevation in a serene forest of maple and poplar trees.

It’s centrally located near the Sugarland Visitor Center and the town of Gatlinburg, making it especially family-friendly. Come autumn, the tree leaves erupt into a vibrant array of yellows, oranges, and browns. The Little River and Jakes Creek weave right through the campground, providing campers with fishing and swimming holes, while tent and RV sites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and restroom access. No Elkmont campsites come with individual hookups.

Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation

  • All 220 campsites in Elkmont Campground can be reserved six months in advance online or by calling (877) 444-6777.
  • This campground regularly fills up during summer break and in October, peak fall foliage season.
  • If Elkmont is full, there may still be sites available at Cosby Campground. Or, you can book a Hipcamp near Gatlinburg and make easy day trips into this section of the park.
  • When to Go

    Elkmont Campground is closed for winter, usually from November to May. You can call the park rangers at (865) 436-1200 for current season information. There are generally two busy seasons when campsites book out far in advance: summer break and October, when the fall foliage color transformation peaks. Because of its elevation, Elkmont requires that campers bring rain- and cold-weather gear year-round. Summer visitors should also bring mosquito protection. Spring visitors are typically treated to flowing waterfalls—drive west on Little River Gorge Road from Elkmont and you’ll pass numerous waterfall sites and falls trailheads, including Mannis Branch Falls, The Sinks, and Meigs Falls.

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    Available campgrounds nearby

    Top-rated for location, privacy, and amenities near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    More to explore nearby

    100%
    35 ratings · 4 reviews
    Avatar
    Woody And Renae D.
    February 7, 2022
    Solid Campground experience. Beautiful setting and So-So bathrooms (no shorwer). If you do not camp alot, just remember that there are many sites here sharing your space and people's pets and kids (and maybe a late night motorist) may create quite alot of noise pollution. Also note that the park requires you to use "their" wood (kiln dried) -- while I agree with the reason why -- it can become expensive if you like a roaring campfire experience.
    Avatar
    Jacque S.recommends
    October 7, 2018
    Reservations fill up fast.
    Avatar
    Chris S.
    March 12, 2018
    Fires were allowed when we were there in October of 2017. I think it depends on drought conditions in the area of the time you are visiting.
    Avatar
    Sharon K.recommends
    August 1, 2017
    Lovely river side camping. Great nature

    Other campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    Your guide to camping in Elkmont Campground

    Overview

    Biking

    Many nearby Smoky Mountain ski resorts, like Ober Mountain in Gatlinburg, offer downhill mountain biking in summer.

    Fishing

    Go fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout on the Little River right at the campground.

    Hiking

    The Jakes Creek Trail, Little River Trail, and Elkmont Nature Trail all start within walking distance of Elkmont Campground. The nearby Laurel Falls Trail, which leads to an 80-foot waterfall, is another great hike. If that’s not enough, the Great Smokies have over 800 miles of trails to explore.

    Wildlife watching

    You may spot elk, deer, or black bears in the Elkmont Campground vicinity. The nearby Sugarland Visitor Center is a great place to learn about what other flora and fauna you may see during your visit.

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