Elkmont Campground
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- Right now
- Taking bookingsSites offered on 30 of the next 30 nights read 15:58 UTC
- A night
- $30From, per site
- Sites
- 217211 on recreation.gov
The place
the agency’s own description · what’s there · 15 notices
In the agency’s own words
Located eight miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Elkmont Campground is the largest and busiest campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At an elevation of 2,150 feet, the area enjoys a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Keep reading
Recreation
The Little River runs through the campground offering visitors the option to camp waterfront. Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the Little River and countless other streams and rivers that snake through the mountains. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from Elkmont Campground. The nearby and popular Laurel Falls Trail leads to a spectacular 80-ft. waterfall. Hiking and fishing are not the only reasons for visiting the Smokies: Picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities. With around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies are the most biologically-diverse area in the world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy. The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.
Facilities
Elkmont Campground has 200 tent / RV campsites with paved driveways, gravel tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. Although most sites will accommodate tents or RVs, extreme slope or length of driveway make certain sites more suitable for tents than RVs. Please check the descriptions and measurements of individual sites. In addition to these tent / RV sites, Elkmont has 20 walk-in sites for tents. Campers on these beautiful wooded sites will have a short walk from their parking area to their tent pad. Nine of Elkmont's campsites are wheelchair accessible ADA sites. These sites have wide concrete driveways, raised fire rings, and wheelchair accessible picnic tables. All of these sites are located near accessible restrooms. Three of the sites provide 5 amp electrical service for medical equipment. Restrooms at Elkmont Campground have flush toilets, cold running water, and utility sinks. Potable water is available at spigots near each restroom; use of hoses is not allowed. Elkmont Campground does NOT have electric, water, or sewer hook-ups. There is no RV dump/fill station at Elkmont campground. The nearest RV dump/fill station is located across from Sugarlands Visitor Center approximately 6 miles from Elkmont. Elkmont is strictly an overnight campground; there are no day-use facilities. The nearest picnic area is Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, west of Elkmont on Little River Road. Due to its central location and variety of amenities, Elkmont Campground tends to be heavily used during the summer vacation months and in October. Sites along Little River are in particularly high demand. Even when Elkmont is full, campsites are often available at Cosby Campground, located at the northeast corner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Natural Features
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. Little River and Jakes Creek run through the campground, offering easy access for fishing or cool summertime splashing. Trailheads for Little River Trail, Jakes Creek Trail, and Elkmont Nature Trail are located adjacent to the campground. Historic remnants of Little River Lumber Company's logging camp and old buildings from the Elkmont resort community offer campers a glimpse of life at Elkmont nearly a century ago.
Nearby Attractions
Gatlinburg, one of the Smokies' most famous tourist towns, is located about nine miles from Elkmont and offers organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aquarium, skiing and more.
What the agency tells you
A valid parking tag is required for any vehicle parking for more than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Front country campers parked at their designated campsite will not be required to have a parking tag. If they park elsewhere in the park, a parking tag will be required. Please note that parking tags will be required for vehicles in excess of what is allowable for each campsite.
Over the last 10 years, an average of 339 negative human-bear encounters have been reported each year; many more go unreported. Visitors should be aware that high bear activity can occur in any area, and that your safety is not guaranteed. To increase your odds for a safe visit, please follow best practices for living and recreating in bear habitat. Stay alert and be prepared to react appropriately during possible encounters, and always report any unusual bear interactions as soon as possible.
Caution: Bears and other wildlife frequent the area. 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. All scented items (candles, soap, etc.) as well as all water containers, MUST be stored. Dispose of garbage promptly in dumpsters provided. Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff. Violators are subject to fines.
Everything else this campground posts · 12
Firewood Restriction: Only heat-treated firewood bundled in its original packing and bearing a certification seal from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state department of agriculture may be brought into the park. This rule is strictly enforced. Campers may also collect dead and down wood in the park for campfires.
There are no showers, electric, water, or sewer hook-ups in the park. The dump and fill station is located approximately 6 miles away from the campground. Three handicap accessible ADA sites have 5 amp electrical service for use of medical equipment only. Proof of medical equipment required for use of electric hookup,
Quiet hours are in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Generator use is restricted to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Generators may not be left running unattended. Generator use is prohibited from May 15 through October 31 in loops A, B, L, M and N.
You must check-in with the campground office staff UPON ARRIVAL to complete your reservation. If you arrive after the office is CLOSED for the day then you must check-in with the campground staff the following day. Failure to check-in with the office staff by noon following the day of your arrival will be considered a no show. This may result in a forfeit of your reservation. Current office hours are 9am-5pm. During November-April the office may be open intermittently; during these months campers occupying their site must be able to provide proof of occupancy when requested by park staff.
A maximum of six people may occupy a campsite. The park stay-limit is 14 consecutive days. Reservations which exceed the 14 consecutive day limit may be cancelled and refunded.
A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required to fish in the park. Special regulations apply in the park.
Pets are permitted, but cannot be left unattended. All pets must be kept on a six foot leash at all times. Pets are not allowed on trails.
Tent pads at Elkmont measure 16 x 16 and will accommodate one large or two small tents. Tents must be pitched on the pad. Hammocks are permitted but must be hung in the footprint of the reserved campsite,
Cades Cove and Smokemont are the only campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that are open year round.
Tennessee state law requires bicycle helmets for riders under 16 years of age. Skateboards, scooters, and roller blades are prohibited in the campground.
For additional information, call 865-436-1200 or visit www.nps.gov/grsm.
While GPS directions may route you to Elkmont via Line Springs Road and Metcalf Bottoms Picnic area, RVs and towed trailers are NOT allowed over the bridge at Metcalf Bottoms due to a narrow bridge with weight and length restrictions. RVs and trailers should access Elkmont campground from either the Gatlinburg or Townsend entrances.
Tents and rigs
- Sites
- 217 · 25 tent-only, 22 walk-in
- Hookups
- None
- Longest rig
- 35 ft
- Paved pads
- 213 of 217
- Accessible sites
- 10
- Pets
- Allowed
- Campfires
- Allowed, barring fire bans
- Shade
- 212 of 213 sites
Facilities
- Toilets
- Flush Toilets - seasonal
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Camp host
- On site
- recreation.gov lists “Host”
Around the campground
- On the water
- Waterfall, River, Creek
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historic site
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
- Night sky · 63rd darkest of 95 in TN
- Bortle 4
- Fall color · reported 3 days ago, 1 km away
- No change
Full this Saturdayread 15:58 UTC
How full the weekend is nationally.
3 campgrounds have sites open within 30 miles, read 16:02 UTC. See them
OpenBooked
Every one of the 211 sites on offer is taken this Saturday. 19 are free on Tue, Oct 20. read 15:58 UTC Why the weekend fills and the week doesn’t
Watch for a cancellation
Watch this campground
One email when a night opens, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We read recreation.gov once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time a site in your window is free for the nights you asked for.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
Tell me when the season opens
Watch for the season to open
One email when the season goes on sale, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We check once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time the agency has that season on sale.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
We make nothing when you book. The link goes straight to the government.
Every line of the receipt · 21
What you actually pay
Derived by CAMPANAC: the agency’s published rate for this season, $30 a night, plus one $8 recreation.gov reservation fee for the booking. A weekend here means Friday and Saturday night, booked once. Optional charges (an extra vehicle, a second tent, a dump-station fee) are listed separately and aren’t in this total.
Who keeps the booking fee
The agency’s own policy text says the reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee are “retained by the reservation service contractor”, and that a campground concessionaire will decline to refund them because “they did not receive these fees”. Recreation.gov is run under contract by Booz Allen Hamilton. What share of your booking fee the contractor keeps isn’t published in any federal dataset we can read, so we print no number for it. Our reporting on the contract →
How we know this receipt · 5
Open within 30 miles this weekend · 3
Sites the agency is offering this Friday and Saturday that nobody has taken, nearest first. read 16:02 UTC
- Smokemont CampgroundGreat Smoky Mountains National Park · 17 mi · 1 of 274 site-nights open
- Look Rock CampgroundGreat Smoky Mountains National Park · 20 mi · 1 of 130 site-nights open
- Cosby CampgroundGreat Smoky Mountains National Park · 22 mi · 1 of 124 site-nights open
recreation.gov availability, read 15:58 UTC · rules read Sep 9, 2026 · rates Sep 10, 2026 · How we know all this
The sites
217 sites · which ones have room · the site map
The sites, ranked
from 210 mapped sitesAll 217 sites
The price is derived by CAMPANAC, not published per site: the per-night rate this campground publishes for each site’s own site type. 211 of the 217 sites listed carry one, and a site whose type has no published rate sits out of the price rather than being called free.
Measured shade is NLCD Tree Canopy Cover 2024 (USDA Forest Service / MRLC) read at the site’s own coordinate, 27% canopy or more, and only for the sites the agency gave no Shade value. It never changes the agency’s own shaded count beside it.
| Generator Free | A03 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 5 amp | yes | 76 ft | 154 ft | $30 |
| Generator Free | A04 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | yes | 65 ft | 152 ft | $30 | |
| Generator Free | A05 | walk to | 44 ft | 93 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | A06 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | 44 ft | 136 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A07 | walk to | 43 ft | 99 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | A08 | standard nonelectric | 12 ft | 43 ft | 139 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A09 | walk to | 49 ft | 133 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | A10 | standard nonelectric | 49 ft | 166 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | A11 | walk to | 52 ft | 98 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | A12 | standard nonelectric | 12 ft | 61 ft | 159 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A13 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 52 ft | 58 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A14 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 54 ft | 53 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A15 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 52 ft | 88 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A16 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 52 ft | 48 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A17 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 95 ft | 212 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A18 | type not stated | 35 ft | 302 ft | ||||
| Generator Free | A19 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 111 ft | 266 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A20 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 72 ft | 285 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A21 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 50 ft | 265 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A22 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 50 ft | 215 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A23 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 65 ft | 271 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A24 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 65 ft | 217 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A25 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | 58 ft | 281 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A26 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | yes | 58 ft | 228 ft | $30 | |
| Generator Free | A27 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 67 ft | 262 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | A28 | standard nonelectric | 69 ft | 257 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B01 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | 99 ft | 57 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | B02 | walk to | 70 ft | 29 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B03 | walk to | 52 ft | 18 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B04 | walk to | 52 ft | 19 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B05 | standard nonelectric | 56 ft | 53 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B06 | standard nonelectric | 56 ft | 50 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B07 | standard nonelectric | 12 ft | 66 ft | 38 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | B08 | standard nonelectric | 12 ft | 72 ft | 50 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | B09 | standard nonelectric | 12 ft | 72 ft | 52 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | B10 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 71 ft | 59 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | B11 | tent only nonelectric | 88 ft | 86 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B12 | standard nonelectric | 12 ft | 40 ft | 145 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | B13 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 69 ft | 101 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | B14 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | 69 ft | 111 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | B15 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 72 ft | 154 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | B16 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | 74 ft | 82 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | B17 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | 66 ft | 24 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | B18 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | 66 ft | 30 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | B19 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 81 ft | 93 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | B20 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 55 ft | 95 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | B21 | walk to | 84 ft | 231 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B22 | walk to | 84 ft | 284 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B23 | walk to | 73 ft | 336 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B24 | walk to | 73 ft | 389 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B25 | walk to | 62 ft | 376 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B26 | walk to | 61 ft | 427 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B27 | walk to | 61 ft | 455 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B28 | type not stated | ||||||
| Generator Free | B29 | walk to | 49 ft | 428 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B30 | walk to | 47 ft | 344 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B31 | walk to | 49 ft | 421 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B32 | walk to | 47 ft | 329 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B33 | walk to | 62 ft | 406 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B34 | walk to | 54 ft | 325 ft | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B35 | walk to | 54 ft | 301 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | B36 | walk to | 58 ft | 261 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | L01 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 77 ft | 449 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | L02 | tent only nonelectric | 79 ft | 395 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | L03 | standard nonelectric | 12 ft | 58 ft | 422 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | L04 | standard nonelectric | 12 ft | 58 ft | 463 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | L05 | standard nonelectric | 12 ft | 50 ft | 396 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | L06 | tent only nonelectric | 50 ft | 357 ftJakes Creek | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | L07 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 68 ft | 325 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | L08 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 68 ft | 280 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | L09 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | 82 ft | 325 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | L10 | standard nonelectric | 12 ft | 100 ft | 203 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | L11 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | 52 ft | 101 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | L12 | tent only nonelectric | 67 ft | 145 ftJakes Creek | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | L13 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 97 ft | 128 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | L14 | tent only nonelectric | 87 ft | 62 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | L15 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 92 ft | 149 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | M01 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 59 ft | 222 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | M02 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 59 ft | 216 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | M03 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 59 ft | 142 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | M04 | type not stated | 27 ft | 60 ftJakes Creek | ||||
| Generator Free | M05 | tent only nonelectric | 15 ft | 67 ft | 107 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | M06 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 52 ft | 49 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | N01 | tent only nonelectric | 92 ft | 184 ftJakes Creek | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | N02 | tent only nonelectric | 92 ft | 190 ftJakes Creek | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | N03 | tent only nonelectric | 50 ft | 55 ftJakes Creek | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | N04 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 50 ft | 80 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | N05 | tent only nonelectric | 82 ft | 67 ftJakes Creek | $30 | |||
| Generator Free | N06 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 59 ft | 122 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Free | N07 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 74 ft | 68 ftJakes Creek | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | C01 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 54 ft | 73 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | C02 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 54 ft | 78 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | C03 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 45 ft | 89 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | C04 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 40 ft | 131 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | C05 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 45 ft | 134 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | C06 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 48 ft | 141 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | C07 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | $30 | ||||
| Generator Use | C08 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 124 ft | 268 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | C09 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | 61 ft | 167 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | C10 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 63 ft | 165 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | C11 | type not stated | 27 ft | 111 ft | ||||
| Generator Use | C12 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 72 ft | 82 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | D01 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 41 ft | 94 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | D02 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 51 ft | 134 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | D03 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 41 ft | 88 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | D04 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 46 ft | 89 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | D05 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 51 ft | 136 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | D06 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 46 ft | 84 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | D07 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 80 ft | 206 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | D08 | tent only nonelectric | 59 ft | 112 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | D09 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 5 amp | yes | 66 ft | 277 ftLittle River | $30 |
| Generator Use | D10 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 66 ft | 298 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | D11 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 34 ft | 241 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | D12 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 34 ft | 228 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | D13 | standard nonelectric | 12 ft | 39 ft | 175 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | D14 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 39 ft | 136 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | E01 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 59 ft | 61 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | E02 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 47 ft | 95 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | E03 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | yes | 47 ft | 52 ftLittle River | $30 | |
| Generator Use | E04 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 51 ft | 123 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | E05 | tent only nonelectric | 71 ft | 48 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | E06 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 96 ft | 163 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | E07 | tent only nonelectric | 71 ft | 59 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | E08 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 51 ft | 122 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | E09 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 51 ft | 72 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | E10 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 66 ft | 215 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | E11 | standard nonelectric | 29 ft | 66 ft | 204 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | E12 | tent only nonelectric | 38 ft | 280 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | E13 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | yes | 38 ft | 257 ftLittle River | $30 | |
| Generator Use | E14 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 98 ft | 300 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | E15 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 54 ft | 313 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | E16 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 54 ft | 259 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | E17 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 57 ft | 217 ft | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | F01 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 63 ft | 81 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | F02 | type not stated | 35 ft | 152 ftLittle River | ||||
| Generator Use | F03 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 63 ft | 87 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | F04 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 69 ft | 143 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | F05 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 63 ft | 107 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | F06 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 50 ft | 87 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | F07 | tent only nonelectric | 50 ft | 132 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | F08 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 69 ft | 60 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | F09 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 90 ft | 145 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | F10 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 64 ft | 237 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | F11 | tent only nonelectric | 64 ft | 267 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | F12 | tent only nonelectric | 78 ft | 283 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | F13 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 52 ft | 321 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G01 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 43 ft | 103 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G02 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | yes | 42 ft | 90 ftLittle River | $30 | |
| Generator Use | G03 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 42 ft | 92 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G04 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | yes | 52 ft | 89 ftLittle River | $30 | |
| Generator Use | G05 | tent only nonelectric | 40 ft | 84 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | G06 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 5 amp | yes | 40 ft | 124 ftLittle River | $30 |
| Generator Use | G07 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 40 ft | 85 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G08 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 40 ft | 118 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G09 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 43 ft | 86 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G10 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 40 ft | 119 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G11 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 40 ft | 83 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G12 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | 43 ft | 88 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G13 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 43 ft | 122 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G14 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 127 ft | 56 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G15 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 64 ft | 121 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G16 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 40 ft | 171 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G17 | tent only nonelectric | 41 ft | 212 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | G18 | tent only nonelectric | 40 ft | 200 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | G19 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 62 ft | 224 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G20 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 41 ft | 238 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G21 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 43 ft | 215 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G22 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 43 ft | 249 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G23 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 47 ft | 222 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G24 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 42 ft | 194 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G25 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 42 ft | 186 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | G26 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 49 ft | 201 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | H01 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 44 ft | 74 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | H02 | standard nonelectric | 12 ft | 44 ft | 118 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | H03 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 44 ft | 71 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | H04 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 44 ft | 114 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | H05 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 63 ft | 60 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | H06 | type not stated | 24 ft | |||||
| Generator Use | H07 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 60 ft | 122 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | H08 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 68 ft | 187 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | H09 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | 60 ft | 168 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | H10 | standard nonelectric | 69 ft | 237 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | H11 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 68 ft | 236 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | H12 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 35 ft | 311 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | H13 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | yes | 35 ft | 310 ftLittle River | $30 | |
| Generator Use | J01 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 72 ft | 311 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | J02 | tent only nonelectric | 69 ft | 348 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | J03 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 69 ft | 290 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | J04 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 69 ft | 338 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | J05 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 81 ft | 180 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | J06 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 77 ft | 98 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | J07 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 45 ft | 108 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | J08 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 45 ft | 92 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | J09 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 65 ft | 156 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | J10 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | 65 ft | 116 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | J11 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | 65 ft | 177 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | J12 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 85 ft | 134 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | J13 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 82 ft | 212 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | J14 | tent only nonelectric | 82 ft | 171 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | J15 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 77 ft | 276 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | J16 | tent only nonelectric | 77 ft | 211 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | K01 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 72 ft | 382 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | K02 | standard nonelectric | 24 ft | 49 ft | 422 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | K03 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 49 ft | 440 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | K04 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 47 ft | 465 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | K05 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 47 ft | 418 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | K06 | standard nonelectric | 21 ft | 49 ft | 470 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | K07 | tent only nonelectric | 52 ft | 455 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | K08 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 56 ft | 400 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | K09 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 46 ft | 339 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | K10 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 86 ft | 265 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | K11 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 46 ft | 374 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | K12 | tent only nonelectric | 72 ft | 202 ftLittle River | $30 | |||
| Generator Use | K13 | standard nonelectric | 15 ft | 72 ft | 265 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | K14 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | 84 ft | 149 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | K15 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | 84 ft | 114 ftLittle River | $30 | ||
| Generator Use | K16 | standard nonelectric | 12 ft | 77 ft | 40 ftLittle River | $30 |
25 of 217 listed
Getting there
the map and the coordinate · the agency’s directions · the phone number
Where it is
Elkmont Group CampGreat Smoky Mountains National Park · 0.2 mi
Appalachian ClubhouseGreat Smoky Mountains National Park · 0.4 mi
Spence CabinGreat Smoky Mountains National Park · 0.5 mi
Metcalf Bottoms Picnic PavilionGreat Smoky Mountains National Park · 4.0 mi
Cades Cove Group CampgroundGreat Smoky Mountains National Park · 5.8 mi
Deep Creek CampgroundGreat Smoky Mountains National Park · 5.8 miFrom Cherokee, NC: Take Newfound Gap Road (aka U.S. 441) North through the park into Tennessee. Turn left at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Follow Little River Road approx. 4.5 miles. Turn left at the Elkmont Campground sign and proceed 1.5 miles to the campground office.
From Gatlinburg,TN: Take Newfound Gap Road (aka U.S. 441) South into the Park. (If coming from Pigeon Forge, take the Bypass into the park.) Turn a right at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Proceed 4.5 miles to the Elkmont entrance and turn left at the Elkmont Campground sign. Go 1.5 miles to the campground office.
The weather
the next four days · the thirty-year normal
Next four days, and the thirty-year normal
Forecast
NWS forecast for Gatlinburg, TN
Typical weather
Typical October night 44°F, day 69°F.
Coldest month of the year: typical January night 27°F, below freezing. Bring a bag rated colder than that, and expect ice in the water bottle.
Daily high and lowDays with 0.10 in or more
A normal is the 1991-2020 average for the month, not a forecast: about half of all Julys are colder than the July line. The seven-day forecast above answers the other question.
The land, and who answers for it
what threatens it · who answers for it · a letter you can send
What threatens this place
You’re camping on ground somebody wants. We track the threats and the comment deadlines.
Who answers for this land
Elkmont Campground is in Tennessee’s 1st congressional district. Its representative, Diana Harshbarger (R), votes on the laws that decide what happens to this land. Public-lands grade so far: F. See every public-lands vote →
Who can change it · 4
Two offices, two different asks. The draft to the agency asks it to set aside a published share of the sites here for whoever drives up. The draft to Congress asks why that share is zero and presses for a published minimum at the campgrounds it funds.
- The office that runs itGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkNational Park Service unit
- The member who votes the moneyDiana HarshbargerU.S. Representative · Tennessee’s 1st district
- Your senator, on the same appropriationBill HagertyU.S. Senator · Tennessee
- Your senator, on the same appropriationMarsha BlackburnU.S. Senator · Tennessee
Read the draft, or change the wording
For the camper who turned up, or tried to book, and couldn’t get in. Every draft is written from this campground’s own record (its agency, its unit, its site count and its own weekend) and the buttons above copy whichever wording is selected here.
Asks the National Park Service to set aside a published share of the sites here for whoever drives up, and to post what that share is.
Subject Hold back a share of sites at Elkmont Campground for campers who drive up
To the National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: I tried to camp at Elkmont Campground in Tennessee and couldn’t. recreation.gov lists 211 of the 217 campsites the agency files at Elkmont Campground, and every one of them is booked ahead, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, all 211 sites recreation.gov was offering there were already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Elkmont Campground keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m asking for one specific thing: set aside a published share of the sites at Elkmont Campground as first-come, first-served, and post what that share is so it can be checked. Somebody who drives up has no way in, and no way to find out whether they might have had one. Sent about Elkmont Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee) via campanac.com
Asks them to put the question to the agency in writing, and to press for a published minimum share of walk-up sites across the campgrounds they fund.
Subject Walk-up camping at Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Dear Diana Harshbarger, I’m a constituent in Tennessee’s 1st district. I tried to camp at Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, and couldn’t. recreation.gov lists 211 of the 217 campsites the agency files at Elkmont Campground, and every one of them is booked ahead, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, all 211 sites recreation.gov was offering there were already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Elkmont Campground keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m not asking you to run Elkmont Campground. I’m asking you to put it to the National Park Service in writing: why is the share of first-come sites there zero, and what would a published minimum share cost? Please press for that minimum at the federal campgrounds you fund. The people who open these campgrounds, collect the fees and keep the water running are seasonal positions. At GS-5, base pay plus the government's own 36.25% benefit factor, one costs about $47,414 a year. One percent of the $13.3 billion the USS Gerald R. Ford cost to procure would pay for about 2,800 of them for a year. Both figures are the government's own (a Congressional Research Service report and an OPM pay table), and I’m glad to send them. Sent about Elkmont Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee) via campanac.com
Asks them to put the question to the agency in writing, and to press for a published minimum share of walk-up sites across the campgrounds they fund.
Subject Walk-up camping at Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Dear Bill Hagerty, I’m a constituent in Tennessee. I tried to camp at Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, and couldn’t. recreation.gov lists 211 of the 217 campsites the agency files at Elkmont Campground, and every one of them is booked ahead, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, all 211 sites recreation.gov was offering there were already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Elkmont Campground keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m not asking you to run Elkmont Campground. I’m asking you to put it to the National Park Service in writing: why is the share of first-come sites there zero, and what would a published minimum share cost? Please press for that minimum at the federal campgrounds you fund. The people who open these campgrounds, collect the fees and keep the water running are seasonal positions. At GS-5, base pay plus the government's own 36.25% benefit factor, one costs about $47,414 a year. One percent of the $13.3 billion the USS Gerald R. Ford cost to procure would pay for about 2,800 of them for a year. Both figures are the government's own (a Congressional Research Service report and an OPM pay table), and I’m glad to send them. Sent about Elkmont Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee) via campanac.com
Asks them to put the question to the agency in writing, and to press for a published minimum share of walk-up sites across the campgrounds they fund.
Subject Walk-up camping at Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Dear Marsha Blackburn, I’m a constituent in Tennessee. I tried to camp at Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, and couldn’t. recreation.gov lists 211 of the 217 campsites the agency files at Elkmont Campground, and every one of them is booked ahead, and the agency's own record lists none held back for somebody who drives up. On Saturday, October 17, all 211 sites recreation.gov was offering there were already booked. 1,623 of the 7,647 federal campgrounds in this country still keep at least some sites for whoever arrives first. Elkmont Campground keeps none, and that’s a choice somebody made rather than a rule. I’m not asking you to run Elkmont Campground. I’m asking you to put it to the National Park Service in writing: why is the share of first-come sites there zero, and what would a published minimum share cost? Please press for that minimum at the federal campgrounds you fund. The people who open these campgrounds, collect the fees and keep the water running are seasonal positions. At GS-5, base pay plus the government's own 36.25% benefit factor, one costs about $47,414 a year. One percent of the $13.3 billion the USS Gerald R. Ford cost to procure would pay for about 2,800 of them for a year. Both figures are the government's own (a Congressional Research Service report and an OPM pay table), and I’m glad to send them. Sent about Elkmont Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee) via campanac.com