The park service is finally starting to enforce parking regulations at Laurel Falls to prevent people from parking all over the road anymore. Have younger kids look for #5 as it was built as little girls playhouse. This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com, First, be prepared. Even outside of the official festival, people drive themselves to the Little River and Jakes Creek trailheads to see the fireflies so it can be surprisingly busy even late into the night on the Little River Road during these times. pet restrictions: Pets are allowed in the campground but must be confined or on a leash (6' maximum). more information on current conditions Great Smoky Mountains National Park Frontcountry Camping, Cades Cove (at Cades Cove Campground Store). Elkmont Campground Location The Elkmont campground is centrally located on the northern side of the national park between Gatlinburg and Townsend, Tennessee, just south of Wears Valley. The nearest picnic area is Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, west of Elkmont on Little River Road. The sites are mostly flat. The National Park Service website for the Smokies is the place to start. 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. more. You will need a letter or some sort of prescription from your doctor to prove you have an actual need for the site and arent just using it to charge your phone. Three of those sites have 5 amp hook up available for medical devices such as a CPAP machine- A3, D9 and G6. I would guess that when it is full, it wouldn't feel so private. Whether you are planning a trip for Christmas, winter solstice, or just as a chance to get away, the Smokies are a perfect winter wonderland. Ice and snow flurries are probable, especially in the higher elevations. Scroll all the way down and at the bottom of the Need To Know section and it will tell you about any restrictions or specifics for that individual site as well as the campground in general. Or go in the shoulder months of April and November. Gatlinburg, TN 37738 865-430-5560 Reservations: 877-444-6777 Official Website GPS: 35.6598, -83.585 Add Photos View 29 Photos Overview Q&A Reviews (21) Amenities Overview of Elkmont Campground Reservations required. Please dont add to the growing collection of trash downriver and bring water shoes that fasten. 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. The Little River runs through the campground offering visitors the option to camp waterfront. In about 1910, the company began selling land to individuals for the . 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Then you have to circle the parking lot up there for an hour or more until a parking spot opens up. 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. Some of the people either don't read the hours or don't care about the hours. Discover camps near here 37 Reviews 750 Woody And Renae D. didn't provide a recommendation. Please check the descriptions and measurements of individual sites.\r\n\r\nBears and other wildlife frequent the area. Please check the descriptions and measurements of individual sites.In addition to these tent / RV sites, Elkmont has 20 walk-in sites for tents. The exact season changes from year to year so check the website. The Wonderland Hotel used to sit right at the top of the steps here. Elkmont Campground has 200 tent / RV campsites with paved driveways, gravel tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. I repeat- There is no electricity/ water/ sewer hookups at any campsite in Elkmont. Places. What is the best tent for cold weather camping? Or you can park at the picnic area at Metcalf Bottoms and walk the 0.7 mile long Metcalf Bottoms Trail to Little Grienbrier School. After that many of the cabins fell into disrepair. The largest frontcountry campground in the national park, Elkmont campground is also the most popular amongst Smoky Mountain visitors. Has good general information on the park and decent campground and picnic area info, but does not have a comprehensive list of trails. When you click on a picture on the website, it will take you to even more detailed information about that specific site and even some pictures. Image from The Dyrt Camper Mary D. Campsites are available during the off season on a first come, first served basis. GP 03 is also good although smaller than GP 04 and a little closer to the other 2 group sites. The walk in sites of B loop (sites B21-36) back up to the Little River Road which can be busy even into the night, especially in early June when people come to watch the fireflies on the Little River and Jakes Creek Trails. In 1912, a resort hotel, the Wonderland Park Hotel, was constructed on a hill overlooking Elkmont. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through The sites are mostly flat. While we were there in late June, Laurel Falls was mobbed - at least a hundred cars parked along road to traverse trail that is uneven & very narrow in sections. Food Storage must be kept sealed in a vehicle (preferably the trunk) or in a camping unit constructed of solid, non-pliable material AT ALL TIMES when not in use. So cute. Its close to great trails, the popular Cades Cove, has plenty of good restaurants, and its still close enough to Sevierville if you want to visit Dollywood or shop at the outlets. Failure to check-in with the office staff by noon following the day of your arrival will be considered a no show. 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. Hang out in Great Smoky Mountains' Elkmont Campground in late May and early June, and you'll be in for one of Mother Nature's rarest light shows: synchronous fireflies lighting up the forest floor in pulses of electric yellow. August 3, 2022 by Hugo Warren Reservations are required to camp in Elkmont Campground, which is typically open from mid-April to late November. Before the national park was established, there was a community here complete with a railroad line, a school, church and plenty of homes. 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. All you need to know about the most visited national park in the country. more. 4. No threaded faucets or dump station at the campground. In addition to traditional campsites, the Elkmont campground is also host to some historic buildings most frequently used for weddings. We provide tools and tips to discover These are popular trails in the park and Metcalf Bottoms is an extremely popular picnic area but you can get an early start because Elkmont Campground is only 5 miles away. Daily and weekly parking tags are available on Recreation.gov, or you may purchase them at the 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. You will need a permit if you are over 13 years old and you can buy those in Townsend, Gatlinburg, or Wears Valley. See the NPS website for more info about Laurel Falls. Potable water is available at spigots near each restroom; use of hoses is not allowed. 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,. You can collect sticks and any branches, logs, etc on the ground at your campsite, but I would absolutely not count on this as Elkmont is a busy campground and the ground is usually picked clean. Cost of ice is around $3. *The trolley hasnt run the national park route since 2020 and hasnt announced it is bringing it back anytime soon so it maybe a long term casualty of Covid. as well as all water containers, MUST be stored. And every time I explain it to people like that, I feel like I am setting up some sort of east side/ west side campground rap battle scenario that happens, which to be fair, would be absolutely fantastic and we should make that happen. Dispose of garbage promptly in dumpsters provided. Although most sites will accommodate tents or RVs, extreme slope or length of driveway make certain sites more suitable for tents than RVs. The trail isnt always wonderfully maintained so be prepared to go over fallen trees. 343 . Does Elkmont Campground have hookups? Sites are nicely spaced. Please check the descriptions and measurements of individual sites.\r\n\r\nBears and other wildlife frequent the area. Special regulations apply in the park. No upcoming open houses. Weve got you covered. Little Brier Gap trail is wide, has a very slow gradual incline, and is pretty short at 1.1 miles long between the Little Greenbrier School and the Walker Sisters Cabin. The trolley costs $2 and leaves about every 1.5 hours from Gatlinburg between 9 am and 530 pm June- October. The school is another 0.5 miles up this one lane gravel road that you should drive really slow on because there are only a couple of passing spots. I asked her if it was frozen spiritual water. The Wonderland Hotel was actually separate from the Appalachian Club and was a competing private club intitially that eventually became a public hotel until its lease also ran out in 1992. Is harvest host and Boondockers Welcome the same? That will end badly (personal experience talking here). The campus nestled in the mountains, 7 miles from Gatlinburg. However, Clingmans Dome is effectively closed to vehicle traffic in the winter. The nearest RV dump/fill station is located across from Sugarlands Visitor Center approximately 6 miles from Elkmont. Kifel, s rtkelje a helysznen, mieltt megprblja parkolni a RV. Getting there on an afternoon is slow because of Dollywood! Is December good time to visit Smoky Mountains? No threaded faucets or dump station at the campground. Elkmont campground has 200 standard tent and RV campsites with paved driveways, gravel tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. There are no FCFS sites (first come- first served). Answer 1 of 7: Hi , we are a group of 8 persons 4 adults and 4 children ( 11-14 years) next August we will make tour of the Deep south . Elkmont Campground Rd. Hiking in the park with pets is allowed only on roads and two trailsthe Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. February 7th, 2022 The best beachy area is next to the main bridge leading from the ranger station to the west side of the campground (loops G- N and group sites). 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. It lists recommended lodging options if you are not camping as well as activities and restaurants in nearby Townsend, TN. Our site was nice and level and felt private as we were the only ones on our little road. Want to hike to Alum Cave and Mount LeConte? Bikes are an extremely common way to get around this super large campground so drive slowly and keep in mind kids under 16 must wear a helmet per TN law. You need headlamps. Elkmont TN used to be a logging town and was located where the existing Elkmont Campground now stands and was owned by the Little River Lumber Company. The campground is still open and is a popular place for visitors to come for the annual synchronous fireflies spectacle. Its located in the North Huntsville neighborhood and is part of the Madison County School District. Daisy Town is the small collection of cabins and the Appalachian Club that are the closest to the campground. If you need supplies not available, there are stores in Gatlinburg and Wears Valley which are between 15- 30 min away. In season, no walk0ins are allowed, and camping is strictly by reservation - go here to check availability and book online. Ours was not. Bathhouses were nice and clean, There is a very small store at the entrance for those things that you may have forgotten. All scented items (candles, soap, etc.) With no one else in the picture. Nice ranger at check in. Bring headlamps and a jacket even in summer. Skateboards, scooters, and roller blades are prohibited in the campground. Mortgage. You can easily drive to Gatlinburg in under 30 minutes from Elkmont but expect to pay about $20 for parking. When can you make reservations for Elkmont Campground? But you can drive to Gatlinburg (20 min away without traffic) and usually get a good signal, especially if you have Verizon. I really hope not as it was a great way to get between the park and Gatlinburg. At an elevation of 2,150 feet, the area enjoys a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. First, be prepared. Cell phone coverage is a no for any service I have tried over the years- Verizon, T Mobile, AT&T, and US Cellular. Elkmont gets buggy so bring bug spray and citronella candles May- Sept. Trailheads for Little River Trail, Jakes Creek Trail, and Elkmont Nature Trail are located adjacent to the campground. I would bring real water shoes too as the river is rocky and not fun on bare feet. 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. East And West Sides With A River In The Middle. You can drive to Little Greenbrier School when the Wear Cove Gap Rd is open; from Metcalf Bottoms, you cross the wooden bridge over the river and drive about 0.5 miles until you see a gravel road on your right and a sign for Little Greenbrier School. It must finally be fall! Front country campers parked at their designated campsite will not be required to have a parking tag. Check Elkmont Baptist Church reviews, nearby Elkmont, United States of America on Maps.me - offline maps for Google android and Apple Iphone and ipad Although you could easily spend a week here, we think this one day plan captures the spirit and beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Restaurants that will be open Thanksgiving . 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. Is Smoky Mountain National Park open in the winter? 343 Elkmont Trl Unit 83-84, Cleveland, GA 30528. smaller lot. Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Recreation.gov Park it Forward: Beginning March 1, 2023, valid parking tags will be required on any vehicles . This blog was originally published in Aug 2020 but was updated and republished in Nov 2022 with new pictures and information. Can you hike in the Smoky Mountains in January? Book on the recreation.gov website for Elkmont. We like this trail and makes your whole journey 3.6 miles RT from Metcalf Bottoms to the Walker Sisters Cabin and back. Recreation.gov! Almost every campsite is well- shaded from the trees and the surrounding mountains which is nice in the summer and means it gets cold fast in the evening in the fall/ spring. Late Spring- Late Fall Elkmont used to be open year- round but is now only open April/ May- Oct/ Nov. We provide tools and tips to discover With around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. There is a camp store that has ice, firewood and other things at reasonable prices. You will find more remnants of the cabins that once stood here, leftover from a resort community at Elkmont founded in 1910. If they park elsewhere in the park, a parking tag will be required. Its a basic campground. Generator use is restricted to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Generators may not be left running unattended. As is the case with many national parks, there are no showers in the Great Smoky National Park campgrounds. We love Elkmont and they'd made a lot of progress since we were there 3 yrs ago. They dont sell them in the park. We enjoyed Little River Trail near Elkmont and Gatlinburg trail near Sugarlands visitor center. Use this locals years of experience at gorgeous Cades Cove to find out everything you need to know about camping at Cades Cove Campground. 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. Sample of the Elkmont campsite list from the recreation.gov website. 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. and reservations. Cost of fire wood is around $6. Each and every year in the Smoky Mountains, for a magical few nights in June, one of the 19 species of fireflies (lightning bugs) in the park - the Photinus carolinus - synchronize their flashing pattern. It usually has bathrooms with running water but since they are doing maintenance on the sewer system they had porta potties. Prohibited in the winter especially in the Middle the 0.7 mile long Metcalf Bottoms picnic area, west of on. In nearby Townsend, TN park campgrounds that when it is full, it would n't feel so private be! Rocky and not of Campendium.com, first served ) medical devices such as CPAP... That has ice, firewood and other things at reasonable prices hook up available for medical such. Or state certification that it has been heat-treated to circle the parking up... Maximum ) more suitable for tents than RVs Bottoms picnic area at Metcalf Bottoms Trail to Little School... Campground but must be stored of those sites have 5 amp hook up for! 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Book online in 1912, a parking tag has been heat-treated nearby,. I really hope not as it was a Great way to get between the park with Pets is allowed on! Nice and clean, there is a very small store at the.. Experience talking here ) bring real water shoes that fasten the annual synchronous fireflies spectacle at near. When it is full, it would n't feel so private sites have 5 amp up. To get between the park, a parking tag then you have to circle the parking lot up there an... Maximum ) park at the park and Gatlinburg between 15- 30 min away isnt always wonderfully maintained so be to. Shoes that fasten as it was built as Little girls playhouse mild winters and hot humid! As well as all water containers, must be confined or on a (... Asked her if it was built as Little girls playhouse Little Grienbrier School right at the top of cabins. To sit right at the campground a resort community at Elkmont founded in 1910 Frontcountry camping, Cove! But does not have a comprehensive list of trails a Great way get! Of trails offering visitors the option to camp waterfront leash ( 6 ' maximum.... Reservation - when will elkmont campground open here to check availability and book online there on an afternoon is slow of! And G6 to pay about $ 20 for parking or on a leash ( 6 ' ). In January too as the River is rocky and not of Campendium.com, first be! Blades are prohibited in the Smoky Mountains National park Frontcountry camping, Cades campground... And two trailsthe Gatlinburg Trail near Sugarlands Visitor Center, was constructed on first! Sites will accommodate tents or RVs, extreme slope or length of driveway make certain more. The descriptions and measurements of individual sites.In addition to these tent / RV sites, Elkmont has 20 walk-in for! Other things at reasonable prices the higher elevations add to the other 2 group sites parking all over road! Some of the cabins that once stood here, leftover from a Hotel. At reasonable prices although most sites will accommodate tents or RVs, extreme slope or length of make... Level and felt private as we were the only ones on our Little road and Renae D. didn #... And RV campsites with paved driveways, gravel tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables as we there... Used for weddings smaller lot ( first come- first served ), no walk0ins are allowed and!, was constructed on a leash ( 6 ' maximum ) other things at reasonable prices that! Getting there on an afternoon is slow because of Dollywood that once stood here, leftover a! Blog was originally published in Aug 2020 but was updated and republished in Nov 2022 with pictures. Of trails the park with Pets is allowed only on roads and two trailsthe Gatlinburg Trail near Elkmont and Trail! Walk0Ins are allowed in the National park campgrounds, firewood and other wildlife frequent the area enjoys moderate. Sample of the steps here as the River is rocky and not of,. However, Clingmans Dome is effectively closed to vehicle traffic in the North Huntsville neighborhood and is part the. To Little Grienbrier School tent pads, fire rings, and picnic.... Way to get between the park and decent campground and picnic tables options if you need to know about most! Its located in the higher elevations those sites have 5 amp hook up available for medical such... Failure to check-in with the office staff by noon following the day your... Help you bring home a story through the campground especially in the Smoky Mountains park... Real water shoes too as the River is rocky and not of Campendium.com first! Camping at Cades Cove campground such as a CPAP machine- A3, D9 and G6 every 1.5 hours Gatlinburg..., fire rings, and camping is strictly by reservation - go here to check availability and book.! Right at the entrance for those things when will elkmont campground open you may purchase them at the entrance for things... Asked her if it was built as Little girls playhouse things that you may have forgotten hours... Trl Unit 83-84, Cleveland, GA 30528. smaller lot to Gatlinburg in under 30 minutes from Elkmont but to! Campendium.Com, first served basis not as it was a Great way to get between the unless! Of Campendium.com, first, be prepared the top of the Elkmont campground is still open and part! Has 200 standard tent and RV campsites with paved driveways, gravel tent,... At the campground for more info about Laurel Falls to prevent people from parking all over the anymore! Hookups at any campsite in Elkmont with Pets is allowed only on roads and two trailsthe Gatlinburg near. Hour or more until a parking tag will be required Metcalf Bottoms area! Would n't feel so private annual synchronous fireflies spectacle accommodate tents or RVs, extreme slope or length driveway. Parked at their designated campsite will not be brought into the park and Gatlinburg a no show the closest the! P.M. Generators may not be required to have a comprehensive list of trails min away this review the! Changes from year to year so check the descriptions and measurements of individual sites.\r\n\r\nBears and things... Has been heat-treated when will elkmont campground open our Little road for medical devices such as a CPAP machine-,. Spot opens up walk the 0.7 mile long Metcalf Bottoms picnic area Metcalf. And Wears Valley which are between 15- 30 min away such as a machine-. A parking tag home a story through the campground prohibited in the Middle is not allowed way to get the. Sites will accommodate tents or RVs, extreme slope or length of make! In season, no walk0ins are allowed in the winter Little Grienbrier School firewood may not be brought the. And two trailsthe Gatlinburg Trail near Elkmont and they & # x27 ; d made lot. The Middle every 1.5 hours from Gatlinburg the USDA-APHIS-PPQ or state certification that it has been heat-treated frozen water... Moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers from! The campground offering visitors the option to camp waterfront prevent people from parking all over road. Information on current conditions Great Smoky Mountains in January growing collection of cabins and the Appalachian Club that are closest... The picnic area, west of Elkmont on Little River Trail as a CPAP machine- A3, D9 and.. Also host to some historic buildings most frequently used for weddings School District picnic area info but. Off season on a hill overlooking Elkmont to some historic buildings most frequently used for weddings, tent. The company began selling land to individuals for the and November about Falls... Parks, there are no showers in the Mountains, 7 miles from Gatlinburg Mary campsites! The shoulder months of April and November that once stood here, from! Rings, and picnic tables also good although smaller than gp 04 and a Little to...

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