Elkmont Campground

Open

Basic Information

Elkmont Campground—open March 14–November 30, 2025—is the closest family campground to Sugarlands Visitor Center in the North District of the park. At 2,150 feet (655 m), winters are mild and summers are hot and humid. Tent and RV campsites, flush toilets, and drinking water are available. No hookups or showers.

America the Beautiful passes (not accepted in lieu of the parking tag for parking outside your campsite) are sold at the campground ranger station in summer & fall or online through the USGS store.

TOTAL SITES: 211

Electric Hookups: 0

RV Only: 0

Tent Only: 25

Walk to/Boat to: 22

Group: 4

Horse: 0

Other: 0

Campground Features

Amenities

Cell Phone Reception

No

Internet Connectivity

No

Trash/Recycling Collection

Yes, Seasonal

Food Storage Lockers

Yes, Seasonal

Camp Store

Yes, Seasonal

Ice for Sale

Yes, Seasonal

Firewood for Sale

Yes, Seasonal

Staff On Site

Yes, Seasonal

Amphitheater

Yes, Seasonal

Laundry

No

Dump Station

No

Potable Water

Potable Water - Seasonal

Fire/Stove Policy

Fires are permitted only in established fire rings provided at each campsite.

Toilet Types

• Flush Toilets - seasonal

Shower Types

• None

Operating Hours & Seasons

• Every Day:Open 24 hours

Elkmont Campground closes seasonally. See exceptions for exact dates of operation.

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

Closed Seasonally

December 1–March 13

• Every Day:Closed

Holidays

2025–2026

New Year's Day	January 1, 2026	Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.	January 19, 2026	Closed
Washington's Birthday	February 16, 2026	Closed
Christmas Day	December 25, 2025	Closed
Holiday	Date	Hours

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Weather

This campground is in the mountains and weather can rapidly change from warm and sunny to cold and rainy. Be prepared with layers and rain gear in all seasons.

Fees

Campsite

Camping Fee is per site, per night.

$30.00

Contact Information & Directions

Email Address

Send this campground an email

Phone number (Voice)

8654305560

Mailing Address

107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Physical Address

434 Elkmont Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Additional Information & Regulations

Regulations

All food and equipment used to prepare and store food must be sealed in a vehicle or in a camping unit constructed of solid, non-pliable material, or as otherwise directed, at all times when not in use.

Campfires are permitted only in fire rings. You may collect dead and downed wood in the park for campfires. Only heat-treated firewood that is bundled and certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state agency may be brought into the park.

Quiet hours are 10 pm-6 am. Generator use is prohibited 8 pm-8 am.

Your stay is limited to 14 consecutive days at a time.

You may have up to six people per campsite.

No more than two motor vehicles or one vehicle with trailer are allowed per campsite. Please keep wheels, including trailer wheels and guest cars, on the pavement. Park only in designated spaces.

All tents must be pitched on the pad, where provided.

More about regulations

Reservations

Campsite reservations are required and may be made up to six months in advance.

Image Gallery

Sun shining through the forest over an occupied campsite.

A paved site driveway, fire ring, picnic table, and tent pad surrounded by trees.

A tent pad, picnic table, and fire ring near rocks, trees, and other sites in the distance.

A gray and white RV attached to a blue truck. Other sites and trees are in the background.

A paved sidewalk leading to a restroom building with a brown roof. Trees and grass surround it.

A wide, paved driveway to an accessible site with a fire ring, picnic table, and tent pad.

Two campsites separated by trees with a creek in the foreground.

A paved driveway, fire ring, picnic table, and tent pad surrounded by trees and near other sites.

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.
NPS Photo/Bielenberg

Each site includes a level tent pad, picnic table, fire ring, and parking area.
NPS Photo

Some sites are visible from others, with trees offering partial privacy.
NPS Photo

Elkmont Campground provides sites for both tents and RVs.
NPS Photo

Restrooms with flush toilets and running water are available.
NPS Photo

Elkmont Campground provides wheelchair accessible camping opportunities.
NPS Photo

Elkmont Campground offers some waterside sites.
NPS Photo

Elkmont Campground offers ample shade in the summer months.
NPS Photo

Accessibility Information

ADA Information - Ten accessible campsites. Restrooms are accessible.

Wheelchair Access - Amphitheatre is wheelchair accessible. Accessible paths to restrooms and parking areas.

RV & Trailer Information - No dump station on site; the closest is six miles away at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Roads are paved in the campground. Site driveways are also paved.

RV Allowed - Yes

RV Max Length in Feet - 35

Trailer Allowed - Yes

Trailer Max Length in Feet - 32

Classification - This campground is a developed campground.

 

Pets are family for many, but please remember that not all visitors may feel this way. Additionally, wildlife view pets as either predators or prey. Please follow the pet rules to ensure an enjoyable experience for all.

Smokies Life Graphic/Emma Oxford

Groceries, Camping Supplies, Food, and Firewood

A limited selection of groceries, camping supplies, visitor convenience items, and food and beverage services are available in the park.

Bundles of certified heat-treated firewood are available for sale in the communities surrounding the national park. Firewood may not be brought into the park unless it bears the USDA-APHIS-PPQ or state certification that it has been heat-treated. See the Firewood FAQs page for additional information. The following campgrounds have seasonal, on-site firewood sales:

• Cades Cove (at Cades Cove Campground Store)
• Elkmont
• Smokemont (at Smokemont Riding Stables)

Late Arrival Procedures

Park campgrounds are not gated. You may check in after hours. However, please be considerate of your neighbors while setting up camp by keeping noise and light to a minimum. Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm–6:00 am. If you have forgotten your assigned site, check the Arrival List posted on the bulletin board at the kiosk for your name and site number.

Pets

Pets are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet. Hiking in the park with pets is allowed only on roads and two trails—the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Pets are not allowed on any other park trails. View the pets webpage for details.

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Return to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Frontcountry Camping page for the list of campgrounds and more.