Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN

Elkmont Campground is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee (1 hr 17 min southeast of Knoxville, TN) with an elevation of 2,150 feet. There are a total of 211 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid March to the end of November. 160 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 12 and 54 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. 3 sites have electric hookups. There is a fee of $30.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom, amphitheater, firewood, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.

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Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (1226)

4.3 out of 5

5 star		55%
4 star		24%
3 star		12%
2 star		4%
1 star		3%

@lisag1860020 · Camped on Nov 15, 2024 at Campsite #A19

Elkmont is my very favorite place to camp in the smoky mountains. I love how you can walk to the trails from your campsite, visit the historical cottages and then simply disappear into the forest.The staff at the registration desk is friendly and knowledgeable. Also the camp host who drives around the campground on a consistent basis makes one feel safe. The only recommendation I have is to restore the bathrooms. They are clean however soap dispenser is missing, bathroom, stall latches, broken, etc. Thank you

@KathleenM78273 · Camped on Nov 11, 2024 at Campsite #B1

Excellent location and quiet

@JefferyDB074A7 · Camped on Nov 11, 2024 at Campsite #E7

Great location and excellent facilities.

@JenniferS83796 · Camped on Nov 10, 2024 at Campsite #A7

I loved my campsite and it was a wonderful night. Please bring back the soap in the restrooms. I have heard multiple people wonder why there is not soap with the increased funding and camping fees. Also, we hardly camp at Elkmont anymore because it has the rule that you have to go and check in before 8:30 am or you may forfeit your campsite. A lot of times we dont get there until late at night and we need to hike very early in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds - so wedont want to worry about losing the campsite because we failed to check in. We shouldnt be forced to wait to hike until 9 am when we like to go way earlier. A lot of the other campgrounds just trust you and dont force you to check in. At minimum, I suggest removing the language about forfeiting the campsite if you dont check in by 8:30. I think it should be presumed you are there legitimately unless you see a tent where there is not a reservation or someone reports someone is on the site that is supposed to be theirs.

@BrandonC112819 · Camped on Nov 9, 2024 at Campsite #B21

Easy camp spots and bathrooms are available. Near other campers

@MichaelH990269 · Camped on Nov 7, 2024 at Campsite #D5

Long-time users of the Elkmont Campground. The central location is helpful for getting to anywhere on the west side (Tennessee side) of the park. This campground is also quieter than the Cades Cove campground. The opportunities for hiking from Elkmont is another plus. Fall leaves along the river, abundant wildflowers in the Spring - make this place beautiful. The restrooms could be updated - the only negative. Still looking forward to our next trip.

@AlanW5588627 · Camped on Nov 5, 2024 at Campsite #E8

Clean campground with some nice activities but amenities are seriously needed. No cell service, no WiFi, no electricity, water or dump station. There is a water and dump spot but its 6 miles east. We came in from a different direction and missed it completely. The surround area is beautiful but be prepared to rough it.

@PaulF2981841 · Camped on Nov 3, 2024 at Campsite #C4

Exceptional as always

@DonB9851872 · Camped on Nov 3, 2024 at Campsite #D4

Elkmont is beautiful in any season. The campground hosts, Clyde and Debbie Whitaker, made us feel that everything was being well looked after.

@LarryB8653126 · Camped on Nov 1, 2024 at Campsite #D10

Visitors should be encouraged to arrive prior to nightfall. Because I-75 was shut down due to a fatal accident, and missing the info about not bringing an RV across ?Wear's Valley road, we arrived after dark. The "hurricane relief" people at Sugarlands could NOT direct us to the water supply. Once we arrived, due to large boulders lining the driveway, we could not get into our site. The wonderful camp hosts found us another site and helped us get there. Once set up, Elkmont was nice. Beautiful creek, quiet, walking trails from the campground. The campground itself is nice as long as you have a site level enough for your particular RV or are using a tent.

@ThomasJ3121113 · Camped on Oct 29, 2024 at Campsite #C10

My favorite campground is elkmont, hands down. I love that place and go every year in the fall and usually a trip in the spring

@STEVENM2892720 · Camped on Oct 29, 2024 at Campsite #H11

New bathroom facilities were nice!

@JenelleT6C5EC2 · Camped on Oct 29, 2024 at Campsite #K7

While the campground was beautiful, and well treed, the staff at the camp weren't friendly upon arrival. It'd be great to have more photos of the actual campsites available. We also weren't super pleased with the lack of cleanliness of the bathrooms -- they smelled of cat urine and covered with dead bugs. Obviously, it's camping, so we don't have incredibly high expectations, but it was far less clean than other campgrounds' restrooms.

@NeilL2F2EAF7E9 · Camped on Oct 29, 2024 at Campsite #N5

Great spot by Jakes Creek with easy access to trails out of the campground and across from the historic summer cottages.

@ChloeM2437331 · Camped on Oct 28, 2024 at Campsite #K14

The campsite was absolutely lovely. Easy to get to and access. Great maps throughout!

@Elisabeth99269 · Camped on Oct 28, 2024 at Campsite #L13

I had a very peaceful time camping. Very easy to check in and the hosts in the office are very friendly

@LisaK7683911 · Camped on Oct 28, 2024 at Campsite #E17

Elkmount campground was great, lots of shade and great hiking trails.

@JustinC9419299 · Camped on Oct 27, 2024 at Campsite #C6

Beautiful campground. Well kept and clean and the staff was very friendly. They sell firewood there and have plenty so that is one less worry. The have a 24/7 honor system for firewood and ice should you run out after the store hours are closed. Download offline maps as you lose all cell phone service about 45 minutes before arriving. The campground is very primitive with only a toilet house and a large basin sink for washing your dishes and other fresh water needs. Overall a great trip. Very high animal and bear activity so plan well. I will be returning for a least one trip a year if not more.

@LisaC6980823 · Camped on Oct 27, 2024 at Campsite #C2

We enjoyed our stay at Elkmont Campground. Very disappointed in the bathrooms at Cades Cove. They were disgusting for an area that is visited so much.

@BobR3972553 · Camped on Oct 27, 2024 at Campsite #N3

Good camping location with short or long hikes right out of the campground, and nice flat tent sites. Centrally located with short drives to other trailheads and visitor center. Relatively quiet except for the relaxing sound of Jakes Creek to lull you to sleep. Something that could use improvement is the bathroom building. The dishwashing station is cramped and unlit. Both it and the bathrooms have no hot water(Brrr) but the staff does keep the stainless bathroom sink counter clean. Only one toilet! - really hard to get your turn on the pot when the campground is full. If you cant live without internet, dont camp here -at least with Verizon, no coverage.

@JamiePE0DC08A1 · Camped on Oct 26, 2024 at Campsite #K1

Beautiful and peaceful. Helpful and knowledgeable staff. Great location for some nice trails

@DuncanS8911352 · Camped on Oct 24, 2024 at Campsite #G2

Great spot!!!

@MarthaK4151336 · Camped on Oct 24, 2024 at Campsite #G4

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. Theres 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!

@JohnH2789214 · Camped on Oct 22, 2024 at Campsite #B17

Staff was friendly. Facilities neat and clean. Campground comfortable.

@christineB9533 · Camped on Oct 22, 2024 at Campsite #C1

This is such a great site if accessing the park in the NW region. Beautiful creek, the camp sites are spacious and wooded so feels more intimate then some of the larger sites in the park. There is access to great trails from the campsite and excellent opportunity to visit Elkmont Historic District. Driving to some of the other iconic sites like Kuwohi, Laurel Falls or even a day trip over to Cades Coves are all still fairly close proximity to make it back to your site in time for dinner. Book this place if you can - you wont regret it.

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