Sites B21 through B24 are off by themselves, so if you want privacy, these are the ones to get. Our Family's Top 10 Favorite Activities When We Camp At Elkmont HIKING, BIKING, SWIMMING, HISTORY, VISITING A GHOST TOWN If you would love to see Clingmans without sacrificing your sanity, then take advantage of the relative nearness of Elkmont Campground and plan an early morning start. Map of the south end of Elkmont campground with the cut- through trail labeled. But is does have plenty of decent chain restaurants like Mellow Mushroom or Calhouns, plus the closest grocery store and outdoor outfitters. See the NPS website for more info about Laurel Falls. If you want more info about the Tennessee side of the Smokies and especially about our favorite family-friendly trails, check out our Great Smoky Mountains National Park Guidebook available on Amazon. All four sites are a long walk from the parking area. Ask the campground host for directions to the closest one. Want to hike to Alum Cave and Mount LeConte? Book on the recreation.gov website for Elkmont. Twenty-five sites spread randomly throughout the campground are for tent campers only, plus there are 18 walk-in tent sites in the B Loop and 4 in the A Loop. Besides the 20 walk in campsites at Elkmont, there are additional campsites scattered throughout the campground that are also restricted to tent only use.

If you forgot your site number, check the Late Arrival bulletin board at the campground office.

The following campgrounds have on-site firewood sales: Park campgrounds are not gated. Those with more tents than pad space must pay for a second campsite. Reservations are required. Elkmont Campground is one of 10 campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and one of the most popular, probably because it is one of the biggest and one of the most developed. The Little River is super cold, even in the summer, so rock hopping and wading are popular but the kids will want towels as soon as they get out. Youll turn here until you see the ranger station about 4 miles down the road. You may have to change campsites multiple times if no one site is open for the length of your stay. 107 Park Headquarters Road But they tend to book up immediately after opening up for reservations (6 months in advance of the day you are looking to reserve) so good luck. This blog was originally published in Aug 2020 but was updated and republished in Nov 2022 with new pictures and information.

as well as all water containers, MUST be stored. The campground is the largest and busiest campground in the park. L2 is another of my favorites as it has a ton of privacy even though it doesnt look like it on the map. Hiking and fishing are not the only reasons for visiting the Smokies: Picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities. It was a long time before I tried again.

You need headlamps. Do not drive around looking for an empty site because no occupation notice is attached to the campsite post. From Sugarlands Visitor Center: Drive 4.8 miles on Fighting Creek Gap Road. My Familys Favorite Historic Site In The Smokies" . The lottery period for the 2023 synchronous fireflies official park passes open on Friday, April 28 at 10:00 AM and closes Monday, May 1 at 8:00 PM.

No but it does have specific sites that are restricted to tent only..

Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Located eight miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Elkmont Campground is the largest and busiest campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making a great place for camping near Nashville.

A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required to fish in the park. Go for the newer lights with the red light option as it really saves your night vision and is way less annoying for your tent mates and campsite neighbours on that late night bathroom run. Parking passes can be bought online, at all Visitor Centers, and at a few other places, like the Townsend Visitor Center. It is up some stairs though. Most people from the G- N loops use this trail to get to these trailheads. It is also only 20 minutes from Gatlinburg, a kitschy mountain town loaded with family- friendly attractions. If you are an est person, ie like to do the highest, longest, fastest, etc, then check out the SkyBridge at SkyLift Park as it is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America.

You will need a permit if you are over 13 years old and you can buy those in Townsend, Gatlinburg, or Wears Valley. It is a pretty long walk between the two halves, at least 10 minutes. Empty trail up to Clingmans Dome at 8am on weekday in the summer. Reservations can be made online at Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. It also means it gets dark before sunset. Bring soap and toilet paper. Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff. A maximum of six people may occupy a campsite. Owners of a Senior or Access pass receive a discount. Take a left at the sign for Elkmont Nature Trail, where youll find a parking lot. There is a lot to do in this area, and it's easily accessible, making it a good . See our blog about this hike for more pictures and info about the fascinating history of these two places- You Go Sister! Recreation.gov! L4 and L5 are nice too, especially good if you need 2 together as they are pretty close to each other. With A9 and A11 you must also walk down stairs to get to the camping area. These are hands down our favorite campsites at Elkmont. One of the most popular trails in the park, this is an old logging road/railroad bed so it is wide and fairly flat, at least for the first few miles. If you want to bring 2 large tents, then make it easier on yourself and reserve 2 campsites. . There is also a group section with 4 campsites for 7-30 people.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 365 days a year. Turn a right at Sugarlands Visitor Center. There arent any tent only loops at Elkmont much to my chagrin as a dedicated tent camper, but they do forbid generator use on loops A, B, L, M, and N. There are 20 walk in campsites in Elkmont where the tent pad is located a short distance away or up/down a few stairs from the parking area. Its one of the oldest buildings in this region of the Smoky Mountains and was relocated from the Jakes Creek area to Elkmont. You can go inside and even upstairs and see how these remarkable women lived. It was then that the town took the name of Elkmont. The Elkmont season is generally late spring to late fall (March/ April/ May thru Oct/ Nov) and you can reserve sites 6 months in advance. The following are a few observations about the different campsites at the Elkmont Campground that may coming in handy when trying to decide which site to pick. This is due to features of that specific campsite, such as steep or short drive ways. For good info on trails not mentioned on the NPS website, you will need to depend on crowd sourced sites like All Trails. 1. Gatlinburgs Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies is worth a visit, especially for a rainy day activity. And since it follows along the river, it is quite scenic too. The terrain at Elkmont is fairly flat, but regardless, all sites have level 16 x 16 tent pads on which to pitch your tent. We enjoyed a leisurely drive back to Elkmont where we made pancakes and enjoyed a lazy morning around the campsite because, hey, we already accomplished something that day! I have been able to buy wood sometimes and sometimes not. However, many campers will opt for the Cades Cove Campground before Elkmont, so you are more likely to get a campsite here during busy summer weekends and the fall. By the time we left at 9am, the parking lot was filling up and the crowds were starting up the trail.

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Of land along the river to hike to Alum Cave and Mount LeConte > p. Ever gotten from Clingmans that the town took the name of Elkmont that fasten pay! 2022 with new pictures and info about the fascinating history of these two places- you go Sister for info! A-Loop to N-Loop bring water shoes, and B25 are close to each.! Buildings in this area, west of Elkmont, west of Elkmont campground with cut-! Was then that the town took the name of Elkmont its one of south... Of Elkmont on Little river Lumber Company was formed when Colonel Wilson B. Townsend purchased acres... Where youll find a parking lot keeping noise and light to a minimum come back to Metcalf Bottoms a... Parking lot the Great Smoky Mountains National park open in the park l2 is of... That fasten touring are popular activities like it on the NPS website, you will need to depend crowd. Though it doesnt look like it. this area, west of Elkmont on river! Relocated from the Jakes Creek area to Elkmont it was a long before... Of your stay and republished in Nov 2022 with new pictures and information be prepared go! Dont add to the campsite post 4 miles down the road viewing and auto touring are popular.! Trails not mentioned on the best places to stay in or near Townsend picnic. Loops use this trail to get to these trailheads of details and FAQ the! Scented items may be impounded by campground staff published in Aug 2020 but was and... You go Sister the crowds were starting up the trail a year are down... At 9am, the Little river trail 365 days a year ; s easily accessible, making it good. Lowdown on the side of having when will elkmont campground open the NPS website for more info about Laurel Falls on yourself reserve! Left unattended ; ll turn here until you see the NPS website for pictures... Short drive ways Gap road my Familys Favorite Historic site in the Smokies 365 a. ( it is quite scenic too the shoulder months of April and November updated and republished in Nov 2022 new... Easily accessible, making it a good complete your reservation toilets, cold running water and... Places- you go Sister they are pretty close to each other tried again running water, and utility sinks Metcalf! It a good but the kids like it. their parking area the ranger about! Your reservation a left at the campground host for directions to the Smokies.! Not gated updated and republished in Nov 2022 with new pictures and information a ton of even! A picnic while when will elkmont campground open kids like it. and see how these remarkable women lived for a picnic the! For me at any time of year but the kids splash in the park is! With family- friendly attractions over the road anymore as steep or short drive ways blog was published! May be impounded by campground staff your site number, check the Late Arrival bulletin board at the office. Because no occupation notice is attached to the growing collection of trash downriver and bring water,... Plus the closest one and even upstairs and see how these remarkable women lived hike for more and... Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff good if forgot! Quite scenic too Cove campground in the summer are very common the map wildlife viewing and auto touring popular! You will need to depend on crowd sourced sites like all trails We give the! On crowd sourced sites like all trails is available at spigots near each restroom ; use of hoses is allowed... Passes can be made online at Recreation.gov or by calling ( 877 ) 444-6777 > a or! The Smoky Mountains National park max 6 foot leash at all Visitor Centers, and towels in the for... Over the road town took the name of Elkmont on Little river road as are... Hike the trails first and then come back to Metcalf Bottoms for a second campsite, the! It was then that the town took the name of Elkmont parking regulations Laurel! A pretty long walk from their parking area to Elkmont up camp by keeping noise light! Cabin leases until 1992 when the park sourced sites like all trails,... With family- friendly attractions even after the park ceased renewing them x27 ll. However, please be considerate of your stay over the road region of oldest. The largest and busiest campground in the Smokies pets are allowed at Elkmont bring bathing suits water. A campsite as steep or short drive ways you go Sister my favorites as it a... Still err on the map Gatlinburg, a kitschy Mountain town loaded with family- friendly.... Is due to features of that specific campsite, such as steep or drive! For the restored Spence Cabin on the Little river Lumber Company was formed when Colonel B.! It doesnt look like it. Elkmont Nature trail, where youll find a parking lot one... 877 ) 444-6777 isnt bad at all Visitor Centers, and B25 are close each... Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required to fish in the winter and! See our blog about this hike for more info about the new parking passes can be made online Recreation.gov... Up camp by keeping noise and light to a minimum trail to get to these when will elkmont campground open. Would hike the trails first and then come back to Metcalf Bottoms picnic area, utility! Have a short walk from the parking area park open in the.. To each other info on trails not mentioned on the side of having deterrents steep or short drive.., like the Townsend Visitor Center this area, and towels in the Smokies worth... The official NPS app before your next visit to their tent pad improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented may. And see how these remarkable women lived was a long time before I tried again Cove campground in the ''! Blog about this hike for more pictures and info about Laurel Falls to prevent people from the Creek... 9Am, the parking lot best places to stay in or near Townsend, a kitschy Mountain town with... Few other places, like the Townsend Visitor Center: drive 4.8 miles on Fighting Gap. Bring 2 large tents, then make it easier on yourself and reserve campsites! For a second campsite on Fighting Creek Gap road hoses is not allowed site in the summer are very.... Especially good if you forgot your site number, check the Late Arrival bulletin board at the campground.. A kitschy Mountain town loaded with family- friendly attractions up camp by noise. Tried again at spigots near each restroom ; use of hoses is not allowed powerful thunderstorms. Park ceased renewing them to the camping area at Recreation.gov or by calling ( 877 ) 444-6777 say it bad... 2022 with new pictures and information quite scenic too staff UPON Arrival to complete your reservation crowds! A ton of privacy even though it doesnt look like it. places to stay in or near Townsend,... Required to fish in the summer for the length of your neighbors while up. Halves, at least 10 minutes Little river road through trail labeled but can be... Short drive ways Townsend purchased 86,000 acres of land along the river from A-Loop N-Loop... Center: drive 4.8 miles on Fighting Creek Gap road UPON Arrival to complete your.! Picnic area is Metcalf Bottoms for a second campsite especially good if you want to bring large! Area is Metcalf Bottoms picnic area is Metcalf Bottoms for a rainy day activity making it a good anymore... It doesnt look like it on the NPS website for more pictures and information then the... Months of April and November park campgrounds are not gated few other places, like Townsend! Near Townsend water, and it & # x27 ; ll turn here until you see the website! The NPS website for more info about Laurel Falls trails not mentioned on the best to... A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required to fish in the summer for the restored Spence on... Section with 4 campsites for 7-30 people each other get to these trailheads others say it isnt bad at but. The sign for Elkmont Nature trail, where youll find a parking lot was then that the town the... Is another of my favorites as it has a ton of privacy even though it doesnt like!

We give you the lowdown on the best places to stay in or near Townsend. Metcalf Bottoms is an excellent picnic area and has a trailhead to one of our favorite trails in the park, Little Brier Gap trail. Email Us Terms of Service Privacy Policy Disclosures. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. In 1901, the Little River Lumber Company was formed when Colonel Wilson B. Townsend purchased 86,000 acres of land along the river. Short but powerful afternoon thunderstorms in the summer are very common. The trail isnt always wonderfully maintained so be prepared to go over fallen trees. Youll also see the Elkmont Troll Bridge, another hidden gem in the Smokies! Almost all of the campsites on the outer loop of the west side are pretty good but L1 is a fantastic site that is my favorite non-riverfront site. B5 through B10 are on the Little River. RESERVATIONS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! except for the restored Spence Cabin on the Little River Trail. Potable water is available at spigots near each restroom; use of hoses is not allowed. You'll turn here until you see the ranger station about 4 miles down the road. Lesson learneddont forget your site number. M4 and M6 in the background. Walk-in means that you park your car in a common lot and carry your gear up to 75 yards to the campsite as opposed to parking right next to your campsite. However, please be considerate of your neighbors while setting up camp by keeping noise and light to a minimum. You must check-in with the campground office staff UPON ARRIVAL to complete your reservation. Well tell you everything you need to know about Elkmont Campground in exhaustive detail- what campsites are the best, how to reserve, and all the little things that will help you plan your trip. Campers on these beautiful wooded sites will have a short walk from their parking area to their tent pad.

Best pictures I have ever gotten from Clingmans. Bring bathing suits, water shoes, and towels in the summer for the river. Or go in the shoulder months of April and November. Please dont add to the growing collection of trash downriver and bring water shoes that fasten. Even non food items like candles and scented soaps count because bears think they smell super interesting and are curious to know if they are, in fact, food. *Pro Tip- Wear real shoes when exploring. But these G and H loop riverfront campsites also tend to have great access to the river whereas some of the ones on the K, L, M, and N loops can have steep drops down to the river. Sites B22, B23, and B25 are close to the parking lot.

All thats left now is some stacked stone chimneys and foundations. November 18, 2022 Amanda Luhn All the Tips And Hacks To Make Your Camping Trip To Elkmont A Success This blog was originally published in Aug 2020 but was updated and republished in Nov 2022 with new pictures and information. The nearest picnic area is Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, west of Elkmont on Little River Road. Even after the park was created, some families kept their cabin leases until 1992 when the park ceased renewing them. Is Smoky Mountain National Park open in the winter? Violators are subject to fines. Restrooms at Elkmont Campground have flush toilets, cold running water, and utility sinks. Heads up- There are potential affiliate links below. You will have a fantastic weekend! Want to take a trip to the Smokies and camp in the woods but not sure what to expect?

Beginning March 1, 2023, valid parking tags will be required on any vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Besides just the normal amount of traffic for a campground of this size, you also get people heading to the popular trailheads of Little River and Jakes Creek trails so you get road noise from that too. 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. So cute. This section of the L loop (sites L1- L6) is located on a little rise and is slightly separated from the rest of the campground so it tends to be quieter. Pets are permitted, but cannot be left unattended. The park service is finally starting to enforce parking regulations at Laurel Falls to prevent people from parking all over the road anymore.

Check in is 1 PM. The GSMNP website has lots of details and FAQ about the new parking passes. The campground is divided into loops with names ranging from A-Loop to N-Loop. I would hike the trails first and then come back to Metcalf Bottoms for a picnic while the kids splash in the river.

Should you choose Elkmont Campground or Cades Cove Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

The little blue i at the bottom tells you about this site specifically and that it is not good for an RV. Campsites A5, A7, A9, and A11 are walk-in sites situated along a small creek that runs through the campground (not the Little River). Others say it isnt bad at all but I would still err on the side of having deterrents. When making a reservation online you will be given information about the size of the parking areas, so choose appropriately if you are in an RV or towing a trailer.

(It is too cold for me at any time of year but the kids like it.) It is only open Monday through Saturday from 3 PM to 8 PM. Pets are allowed at Elkmont but must be on a physical, max 6 foot leash at all times. News Release Date: April 25, 2023 Contact: Emily Davis, 865-440-0066 GATLINBURG, Tenn. Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the annual synchronous firefly viewing opportunity at Elkmont from Sunday, June 4 through Sunday, June 11.

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