Townsend, TN is a great basecamp to explore the Smokies. The turkeys crossing the Little River Road are cool, but our campsite, B21, is right there in the trees on the left side of the road, not 25 feet from it. Society Hill was what the cabins around Jakes Creek were called and Millionaires Row referred to the cabins around the Little River. more. We left the campground at 7am on a July morning, only taking enough time to make coffee, use the restroom, and throw a bunch of granola bars and fruit in the car. RVs should stop at Sugarlands before checking into their site to dump and to stock up on water. The hot temperatures have subsided, the leaves have started to turn, the apples trees are ready for harvest, and the water cooler talk has turned to college football. Example of specific campsite descriptions from recreation.gov website for Elkmont. If you arrive after the office is CLOSED for the day then you must check-in with the campground staff the following day. Turn left at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Since the west side of the campground, especially the south end ( J- N loops), will only have traffic for people staying in this part of the campground, it is quieter and you have a lot less headlights spotlighting your tent, which can really ruin a trip for me. Elkmont Campground is an ideal basecamp to visit the wonders of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You Go Sister! And that's a bit of what you'll find if you need to go camp shopping at Elkmont Campground! Sites are nicely spaced. Tents must be pitched on the pad. 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. 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,. Hammock camping is fairly popular at Elkmont. It is open from mid-March to late November each year. In general, I like the south end of the west side of Elkmont best- I think it is the quietest and the campsites are the biggest. Definitely go for the G- N loops on the west side of the campground if you cant get a river front site. The nearest picnic area is Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, west of Elkmont on Little River Road. If it says RV/motorhome, then there is room to park the big guys; if it says RV, then that usually means a smaller RV or pop-up is fine; and Tent Only is pretty self- explanatory. more. Fortunately there is a bypass around Gatlinburg. It appeared to be good for all of 2022. It is a 3,000 square foot facility with electricity, an open meeting hall, roofed porch with rocking chairs, and a ballroom with ceiling fans. I wonder if this one is any easier to set up. Elkmont has had trouble getting a regular vendor to run the store since the long-time concessionaire retired at the end of 2020. Dunkin' was slated to open today at 2536 Helena Road, Suite D, and the location at 5413 US Highway 280, Suite 100 . For good info on trails not mentioned on the NPS website, you will need to depend on crowd sourced sites like All Trails. No showers. We always make sure everyone is wearing hiking shoes now. We absolutely respect your privacy and do not share email addresses. Weve got you covered. There is a food locker for motorcyclists to use at the ranger station. Copyright 2020 Simply Awesome Trips. Please dont add to the growing collection of trash downriver and bring water shoes that fasten. Dump station at Sugarlands Visitor Center; open seasonally. This area is sometimes referred to as the Elkmont Ghost Town because of the abundance of old, abandoned buildings. I drove around the campground a couple of times and settled upon Camp Site B10 which I felt was the best one available as it was backed up right next to the river.. 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. Lottery applications may also be submitted by calling 1-877-444-6777, but only while the lottery is open from April 26 - April 29th at 8pm. You can make a reservation for the Elkmont campground online at Recreation.gov. Table of Contents show 18 Campgrounds Where You Can Stay Cool This Summer. Please check the descriptions and measurements of individual sites. No phone sig There are many, many more hikes but we have narrowed down our recommended hikes for kid-pleasing, shorter, easier walks in the woods! You may check in after hours. There are no charcoal grills, only fire pits with grates. 343 . Check in was easy, just get your tag from the board, stop at ranger window and you are out. PSA over now. A and B loops are the worst for this because they are by the entrance to the campground so get everyone exiting and entering plus the road noise from the adjacent Little River road. Reservation Rules Located eight miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Elkmont Campground is the largest and busiest campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 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. We have switched all of our headlamps to the red kind now and it was absolutely worth it. Port o potties. Make reservations online during summer or fall or call 877-444-6777, toll free. For more information please read our privacy policy. Great hiking in the area and the old resort town of Elkmont is not to be missed. Take a left at the sign for Elkmont Nature Trail, where you . Gatlinburg is not my favorite place due to my lack of interest in crowds or more knick-knacks to clutter up my house more than it already is. It then suffered a series of fires and is now almost completely gone except for the chimney and some foundations. Campground road has large potholes, so be careful. Empty trail up to Clingmans Dome at 8am on weekday in the summer. 10 LGBTQ+-Friendly Campgrounds Throughout the U.S. 7 RV Campgrounds Along the Natchez Trace Parkway, 5 Alternatives to Utahs Popular National Parks, Where to Camp When Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Best National Parks for Stargazing, and Where to Camp, The Best National Forests for Winter Camping, The Best Campgrounds to Experience a Dark Sky Park, Upcoming Dispersed Camping Changes You Should Know About for 2022, 5 Southwestern State Parks Worthy of a Detour, Campendiums 15 Most Popular Bookable Campgrounds in 2022, Written by someone with an affiliation to the property, Duplicate review submitted by the same member, Multiple reviews submitted by members of the same household, Reviewer did not actually visit the location, 11 Smoky Mountain Campgrounds You'll Love in 2019, FPV Scooter Tour Great Smoky Mountains National Park Elkmont Campground, A Visit to Elkmont - Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Camping By The Little River, Sisters on the Fly (Smoky Mountains) - June 2014, Great Smoky Mountains National Park - June 2014, Sugarlands Visitor Center RV Dump Station, sq_lead_photo_urls => [[], ["https://campcdn.com/photos/9/9/9987/85414/sq/elkmont-campground.jpg?v=1633794840", "https://campcdn.com/photos/9/9/9987/135993/sq/elkmont-campground.jpg?v=1633813851", "https://campcdn.com/photos/9/9/9987/162895/sq/elkmont-campground.JPG?v=1633825097", "https://campcdn.com/photos/9/9/9987/171849/sq/elkmont-campground.jpeg?v=1633828960", "https://campcdn.com/photos/9/9/9987/162872/sq/elkmont-campground.JPG?v=1633825093", "https://campcdn.com/photos/9/9/9987/85415/sq/elkmont-campground.jpg?v=1633794839"]], description => ["Although most sites will accommodate tents or RVs, extreme slope or length of driveway make certain sites more suitable for tents than RVs. No threaded faucets or dump station at the campground. You can easily drive to Gatlinburg in under 30 minutes from Elkmont but expect to pay about $20 for parking. 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. Aim for an 8am arrival at the trailhead at the very latest. After the park service purchased the land and the leases expired, over 70 buildings stood in the park with nobody to maintain them. To get there, take US-411 from Gatlinburg to the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Many tenters (sadly in the rain). This is my biggest pet peeve of frontcountry camping. These are our familys top 10 favorite activities when we camp at Elkmont. The river is about 10 ft down just beyond the edge of the tent pad seen on M6. Hiking, swimming, biking, fishing, history there is even a ghost town on site to explore. Natural features you'll find at Elkmont Campground. Hiking right from the Campground, Little River Trail goes as far as you want. Our favorite campsites in Elkmont are the ones along the Little River. Nine campsites are wheelchair friendly, and three of these have electrical hookups for medical equipment. Get your water at the Sugarlands Visitor Center (dump station) on the way to Elkmont. One of the sites is tent only, one is for a large RV/ motorhome, and one is for a smaller RV. Potable water is available at spigots near each restroom; use of hoses is not allowed. Getting there on an afternoon is slow because of Dollywood! The nearest RV dump/fill station is located across from Sugarlands Visitor Center approximately 6 miles from Elkmont. Firewood was $10 for a small bundle. Click HERE for more information on the Synchronous Fireflies Event! ", "Reservations required. This option will reset the home page of this site. As you can see, it is close to its neighbours but the proximity to the river makes it worth it. Beach Cave Forest Swimming hole Waterfall Hipcamp makes it easy to find unique camping experiences. as well as all water containers, MUST be stored. In addition to traditional campsites, the Elkmont campground is also host to some historic buildings most frequently used for weddings. By far the biggest plus of the west side campsites though, is the distance from the Little River Road. Quiet hours are in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. We have already rented a minivan and we are starting our tour fron Atlanta planning to stay 2 nights in GSMNP before heading. Late Spring- Late Fall Elkmont used to be open year- round but is now only open April/ May- Oct/ Nov. The campsites near the entrance to Elkmont get a lot of traffic as everybody from 200 campsites is entering/exiting. as well as all water containers, MUST be stored. Nor is there WiFi anywhere at the campground. Most importantly, please keep in mind that the Smokies is a temperate rain forest and gets as much rain as the Pacific Northwest. Dispose of garbage promptly in dumpsters provided. That means it is 5 -10 degrees cooler than Knoxville but it is still hot during the middle of the day in the summer months when the sun is directly overhead. The weather in the winter is unstable in the park. The little blue i at the bottom tells you about this site specifically and that it is not good for an RV. Getting there on an afternoon is slow because of Dollywood! GP 04 is a great group campsite in Elkmont that is large and away from the other sites. As is the case with many national parks, there are no showers in the Great Smoky National Park campgrounds. Check in was easy, just get your tag from the board, stop at ranger window and you are out. "], open_seasonally_text => ["March-Nov.", "March - Nov."], phone_reservation => ["(877) 444-6777", "877-444-6777"], website => ["https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232487", "https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/elkmont-campground.htm"]. Large sections of frozen water can develop on trails, making them hazardous to cross. View the pets webpage for details. In 1909, tourists could take the two-and-a-half-hour ride from Knoxville to Elkmont for $1.95 each way. Campsite List Seasons & Fees Rules & Cancellations No threaded faucets or dump station at the campground. Typical campsite at Elkmont with the fall colours. He has backpacked in some of the most remote areas in the world and has written extensively on the subject of camping. Even in June this water was super cold. This was the first campground we have been to where the firewood would actually burn and wasn't overly priced. WANTED! It has a glass bottom section at the highest point that reinforces all my instincts that people were not meant to be this high up. Toilet paper is usually okay but I would bring a roll just in case. The west side of the campground has fewer sites than the east side (by about 20) and the sites are a little more spread out (emphasis on a little). Like the Appalachian Clubhouse, the building is equipped with electricity and restrooms. 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. You can buy it at the campground store, as well as kindling sticks. Where can I take a shower in Gatlinburg TN? Temperatures usually range from the mid-40s to the high-20s. Three of those sites have 5 amp hook up available for medical devices such as a CPAP machine- A3, D9 and G6. Want to hike to Alum Cave and Mount LeConte? We were just passing through in July 2021 from Ohio back to Louisiana. This campground is truly amazing. West Side of the Little River- Loops G & H are on the north half and the loops J- N are on the southern half with the group campsites and the ampitheater in between. Restrooms at Elkmont Campground have flush toilets, cold running water, and utility sinks. Lots of room and privacy. Although most sites will accommodate tents or RVs, extreme slope or length of driveway make certain sites more suitable for tents than RVs. Daily and weekly parking tags are available on Recreation.gov, or you may purchase them at the park. more. Bears and other wildlife frequent the area. You can walk to it along the Little River Road or take a cut through path between campsites C11 and C12. The Elkmont Campground remains open, but K and L loop roads are temporarily closed for safety reasons, the park service said in the bear warning. Bring soap and toilet paper. Elkmont Campground 434 Elkmont Road Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738 USA (877) 444-6777 Hours Open 24 hours today Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm Problem with this listing? 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. Smoky Mountain loop hikes are popular options for day hikers and backpackers alike. 7. See the Firewood FAQs page for additional information. Why was the town of Elkmont Tennessee abandoned? The NPS set up Porta-potties.. we did not use them. In my head, I break it up into the east and west sides of the campground as it is split by the river. Located on the Tennessee side of the park, Elkmont is within easy driving of some of the most popular park attractions like Laurel Falls (10 minutes), Alum Cave trail (30 min), and Clingmans Dome (50 min). The campground is located at an elevation of 2,150 feet and has 200 tent/RV campsites with paved driveways, gravel tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables and 20 walk-in sites for tents. The largest frontcountry campground in the national park, Elkmont campground is also the most popular amongst Smoky Mountain visitors. Cades Cove and Smokemont are the only campgrounds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that are open year round. 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. wading across the Little River (this is a cold and possibly very wet way), Map courtesy of the NPS- https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/upload/Elkmont.pdf. Map of the south end of Elkmont campground with the cut- through trail labeled. Hiking and fishing are not the only reasons for visiting the Smokies: Picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities. Smoky Mountain campgrounds are becoming more crowded every year. Failure to check-in with the office staff by noon following the day of your arrival will be considered a no show. (It is too cold for me at any time of year but the kids like it.) Wading through the Little River over to the E campsites on the river. Is smokemont campground open? Elkmont Campground is open from March 8 through November 30, 2013. In the lower elevations, snows of 1 may happen, but only several times a year. as well as all water containers, MUST be stored. This is a wonderful site as there aren't immediate neighbours on either side and the river is just beyond the tent pad. Campers come back surprisingly late, usually from a day out in nearby Gatlinburg, so road noise can last into the night. Places. Trails in the area are delightful. I am always amazed how late people return to this campground. This is campsite F12. TN Table of Contentsshow This is one of our favorite things to do in the Smokies, and we share all the details you need to know to enjoy this unique and fun experience. Our favorite family hikes in the Smokies are not too long nor exhausting and typically have a highlighted feature such as a waterfall, creek, or historic cabin that the kids will enjoy. 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. Those leases ended in 1992, meaning the National Park Service could finally demolish the old. a kemping autplyk vltozatos hossza s lejti miatt egyes helyek jobb strak, mint az RVs. NO. Go to recreation.gov website for Elkmont- https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232487. All thats left now is some stacked stone chimneys and foundations. We love Elkmont and they'd made a lot of progress since we were there 3 yrs ago. 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Slope or length of driveway make certain sites more suitable for tents than.! Home page of this site a CPAP machine- A3, D9 and.! Campground store, as well as all water containers, MUST be stored kind and... Can walk to it along the Little River all of 2022 makes it worth it. and three these! On Little River all water containers, MUST be stored of traffic as everybody from 200 is... Frontcountry camping Knoxville to Elkmont get a lot of progress since we were there yrs. The case with many National parks, there are n't immediate neighbours either... Is close to its neighbours but the kids like it. Mountain campgrounds are becoming more crowded every year no... Is an ideal basecamp to explore checking into their site to explore are.
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