4. Elkmont Campground

Getting to Elkmont Campground

The approach to Elkmont follows the winding Little River Gorge Road (aka: Fighting Creek Gap Road), a paved ribbon of scenic beauty flanked by rhododendron thickets, river views, and frequent pull-offs for waterfalls like The Sinks. The road is well-maintained but curvy with narrow sections, take it slow, especially towing, and watch for cyclists and wildlife. GPS units may provide inaccurate routes in the mountains. If you are traveling in an RV or pulling a trailer, your times will be slightly longer than mentioned below.

• From Gatlinburg, TN: Take U.S. Highway 441 south into the park. At Sugarlands Visitor Center, turn onto Little River Road (also called Fighting Creek Gap Road). Follow Little River Road approximately 6 miles west, then turn left onto Elkmont Road (just before the road sign for Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area). Continue 1.5 miles to the campground entrance. Total drive: 9.1 miles, 23 minutes.
• From Townsend, TN: Take E. Lamar Alexander Parkway (321) East through Townsend and continue straight into the park. At the Townsend Wye, go left towards Gatlinburg. Pass Tremont and Metcalf Bottoms; the Elkmont entrance is on the right (large brown NPS sign). Total drive: 16.9 miles, 35-45 minutes. Note: Avoid narrow side routes like Line Springs Road/Metcalf Bottoms bridge for RVs/trailers. In other words, if your GPS takes tells you to turn onto Wears Valley, do not do it if you are pulling a trailer or driving an RV!

IMPORTANT: RVs and trailers must enter from the Gatlinburg or Townsend side; the Line Springs Road bridge from Metcalf Bottoms cannot accommodate large rigs.

Parking & Parking Tags

Each campsite includes space for at least one vehicle, and most can handle two vehicles comfortably. Larger sites or those with multiple tents may have limited space. Overflow parking is available near the campground entrance if needed.

A parking tag is required anytime a vehicle is parked anywhere in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 15 minutes (this includes trailheads, overlooks, picnic areas, etc.).

• Your paid campsite allows one vehicle to park at your site without a tag.
• A second vehicle at your site needs a tag.
• Any parking outside the campground (trailheads, historic areas, etc.) requires a tag.
• Self-service kiosks are available near the Sugarlands Visitor Center or Gatlinburg entrance station.

Tag options:

• Daily: $5.00
• Weekly: $15.00
• Annual: $40.00 (available at visitor centers or Smokies Life stores, not at kiosks)

Read: Everything You Need to Know About Parking Tags in GSMNP

Elkmont Campground Description

Nestled along the boulder-strewn Little River in a mix of open meadows and dense hemlock forest, Elkmont offers shaded sites with the constant murmur of water and glimpses of historic resort ruins. Deer, squirrels, and occasional black bears roam the edges, while the air hums with birdsong, it’s a living postcard to the Smokies’ logging past.

Individual Campsites (220 total + 20 walk-in)

• 55 tent-only sites with gravel pads (16×16 ft, fit 1 large or 2 small tents).
• Remaining sites mix RV-friendly back-ins and a few pull-throughs.
• Sites hold up to 6 people and 2 vehicles (1 RV max).
• Loops A–H (riverside, 100 sites): High demand for waterfront views; generators allowed year-round.
• Loops J–N (hillside, 100 sites): Quieter, more wooded; some generator restrictions mid-May–October.
• 3 sites have limited 5-amp electric for medical needs.
• No water, sewer, or dump station on-site.

Walk-in Tent Sites (20 total)

• In B Loop; short carry-in (100–200 yards) from parking; primitive but scenic.

Group Campsites (4 sites)

• Tent-only, behind main loops.
• Sizes: Accommodate 15–30 people each (specific capacities and fees vary).
• Each with multiple tent pads, picnic tables, grills, fire rings; one has a pavilion.
• Open mid-March through late November (closed in winter).

Amenities

• 11 restroom buildings with flush toilets, cold running water, and utility sinks.
• Potable water spigots near restrooms (no hoses allowed).
• Dump station nearby at Metcalf Bottoms (2 miles).
• Amphitheater for ranger-led programs on history and fireflies.
• Ranger station at entrance.
• No showers (private facilities in Gatlinburg or Townsend).
• Certified heat-treated firewood available at camp store.
• Picnic tables and fire rings at every site.

Key Rules & Policies

• Generator use: Permitted only 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM; completely prohibited mid-May through October 31 in loops A, B, L, M, and N (these loops are generator-free during peak season).
• Quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM (strictly enforced).
• Bear regulations: All food, coolers, toiletries, cooking gear, and anything scented must be stored in a sealed vehicle trunk or bear box when not in immediate use; violations can result in fines and removal from campground.
• Campers: Maximum 6 people and 2 vehicles per site (one must be a tent or RV; overflow parking available).
• Pets: Pets allowed on a 6-foot leash only; not allowed on trails (except Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail).
• Firewood: Heat-treated firewood only (available from campground host/concessionaire or collect dead-and-down wood within park boundaries).

Elkmont combines convenience, river access, and historic ambiance with the best-in-park infrastructure, making it the top choice for most visitors, but it comes with the trade-off of crowds and noise during peak months. Book as early as possible (reservations open 6 months in advance on Recreation.gov).

Download: Elkmont Campground Site Map

Elkmont Campground Concession

The Elkmont Campground Store (operated by park concessioners) sits near the entrance, stocking essentials for a seamless trip:

• Groceries, ice, camping gear.
• Certified heat-treated firewood bundles.
• Snacks, sandwiches, pizza, ice cream, coffee.
• Souvenirs, maps, and firefly viewing guides.
• Hours: Seasonal, typically 8:00 AM–6:00 PM in peak months; check on arrival.

Things to Do at Elkmont Campground

Elkmont’s spot on Little River Road positions it as a central hub for the park’s Tennessee highlights, all within easy reach. Here’s the lineup (distances from campground):

• Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area: Elkmont Campground does not have a picnic area like some other campgrounds. However, Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area is just two miles down the road and it is fantastic.
• Fishing: The Little River and Jakes Creek teem with rainbow and brown trout. Cast from creek-side sites or the nature trail. A Tennessee or North Carolina license is required; park rules mandate single-hook artificial lures in most spots, with catch-and-release zones. Prime time: Dawn or dusk.
• Synchronous fireflies: Elkmont Historical District hosts the park’s famous synchronous fireflies in late May/early June (lottery shuttle required).

Read: Fishing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park: A Semi-Comprehensive Guide

Read: Popular Day Hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Reservations and Registration

• Advance reservations required year-round for all sites; no walk-ups. Book up to 6 months in advance.
• Online at Recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777
• Peak season (summer & late May fireflies/October foliage) books out fast, aim for 6 months early.
• Fees: check with Recreation.gov for current fees.
• Maximum stay: 14 consecutive days.
• Winter: Closed, but nearby Smokemont or Cades Cove open year-round.

Enjoy your stay amid the echoes of Elkmont’s resort heyday, one of the Smokies’ true gems!

Nearby Points of Interest

• Laurel Falls Trail (2.3 miles round-trip easy hike to 80-ft cascade): Trailhead 3 miles toward Gatlinburg. Paved path to a misty veil of water, park’s most visited, so go early. Swimming hole below in summer.
• Elkmont Historic District (“Ghost Town” 0.5–1 mile loop via Elkmont Nature Trail): Steps from campsites. Wander 19th-century resort cabins, stone chimneys, and the “Troll Bridge” with interpretive signs on logging/resort life. Self-guided tours via park booklet; includes restored structures in “Daisy Town.”
• Little River Trail (4.9 miles easy riverside ramble): Starts at campground end. Follows the burbling Little River through old-growth forest to Cucumber Gap, great for wildflowers or a family float.
• Jakes Creek Trail to Cucumber Gap (7.3 miles moderate loop): From campground, climb to laurel-choked gaps and back country site #23. Links to Meigs Mountain for azalea blooms in June.
• Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte (10–12 miles strenuous to cliffs and ledges): Trailhead is 6 miles toward Gatlinburg. Epic views, arches, and boardwalks, overnight at LeConte Lodge if summiting.
• Gatlinburg, TN (Gateway to the Smokies): 8 miles east. Bustling with aquariums, distilleries, aerial tram, and dining; perfect for evenings out. Organized rafting on the river too.
• Cades Cove Loop Road (11-mile scenic drive): 25 miles west via curvy Little River Road (45–60 min). Historic farms, wildlife spotting, bikes only on Wednesdays (May–Sept).
• Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome) (highest point in TN, 6,643 ft): 20 miles south (50 min via Newfound Gap). Tower views on clear days; road closes in winter.
• The Sinks & Meigs Falls: Pull-offs along Little River Road (4–6 miles west). Short walks to 30-ft roadside falls and a deep river gorge.
• Tremont & Middle Prong Trails: 10 miles west. Tranquil institute area for wildflower hikes and fly-fishing lessons. These gems keep you immersed in the park’s core, with Elkmont as your ideal Tennessee-side outpost for waterfalls, history, and high-elevation adventures.

Elkmont remains the most popular campground in the Smokies for good reason, scenic riverside sites, prime location, and easy access to the best the northern district has to offer. Book early.