My girlfriend and I camped here during our trip to GSMNP. We are big fans of tent camping. There’s no showers so we brought our camp shower, super cheap and you can order on amazon. There’s a dish washing station though I recommend buying some cheap collapsible buckets/sinks online so that you can wash your dishes in the comfort of your own site and then just dump the water at the sink. Bathrooms were what you would expect of any campsite. The camp concessions sells firewood, ice, and treats like ice cream for reasonable prices. Big trees tower over the site creating lots of shade and cover from light rain. Great for hammocking. The little river runs adjacent to the campground with some great spots for swimming! Try to get a river spot if you can. The only thing I would recommend is that the photos of the sites on reserve America are updated to include shots from all angles. We were under the impression from site photos that our site was much more secluded that it truly was.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
B23 is a walk to campsite but it's only about 30-40 feet from where you have to park. The site was large and very spacious and have a LOT of room away from the other sites. The sites near B25 and the restrooms had no privacy and the people camping a sites like B27 basically walked right passed B25 & B26 so I'm glad we chose this site. B22 & B21 would also be nice sites.
The campground is well maintained, the bathrooms were clean and the park ranger at the checkin station was very pleasant and answered all our questions. There is a camp store that has ice, firewood and other things at reasonable prices. This was the first campground we have been to where the firewood would actually burn and wasn't overly priced.
The sites along the river were nice but again right next to your neighbor so I think when we go back we'll try for the same site again.
The campground, in my opinion, was centrally located for wanted to hike different trails. Laural Falls is just down the road and Cades Cove is a nice scenic drive along the river and would suggest both of those locations. We also went to Clingmans Dome and hiked part of the Appalachian trail towards Charlies Bunion. that trail is a little more rigorous but was a nice walk as there were not a lot of people on the trail. Just be ready for a climbing over rocks and fallen trees.
It was suppose to rain several days so we had plenty of tarps to still be able to sit at the picnic table and around the fire. The first picture is from next to my truck where I had to park so you can see how close you really are.
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Date of stay: September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
First, I love Elkmont. My only complaint is that it is RIDICOUSLY hard to get a camping spot at the campground. You have to start trying to book 6 months prior to get a riverside camping spot. I have tried at least 5 or more years to get a spot on the pennisula where we took our girls when they were young but no luck. It is beautiful, no doubt. You can tube, fish, hike or just nothing. We really like going to Daisytown which is a former resort town in the 1920s in Elmont. They are repairing some of the houses back to their former glory. Elkmont is my favorite camping area in the GSM, but if you plan on going, start trying to book 6 months prior.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Cleanliness
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Need to work on poison ivy/oak. Asked to put my yeti color that was unopened back in my car. We were literally close enough for him to tell us We’ve stayed in a lot of heavy bear traveled areas and I’ve never been told something like that. If we leave it, I understand, but we were there this was after Our site was not available when we got there having been reserved for months in advance. We were then given an alternative side, which was closer to the water, however no shade and only two trees for a hammock, which was our main sleeping quarters. Then we had to use a tarp for shade and we moved our car a little off of the pad to be able to use the car racks to hook the tarp to because of no trees and we were told to put it back on the concrete although we were parked on gravel and weeds We were right next to the camp host Who had his car parked on the literal grass Not one but two cars what is good for the goose is good for the gander. On top of the fact, there’s no showers I can handle there’s no water at the sites And no electricity at the sites.
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Also not camping prices we are used to. Especially with no amenities
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Park was nice but weeds and grass overgrown everywhere the worst I have ever seen it A lot of you want to round it off to next dollar to help park? Donation boxes and now a parking pass needed. Never saw one campsite cleaned after someone left, fire rings full of trash
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
perfect rustic campground with a stunning river running through it. We booked campsite E05 and it was perfect. It is Giant, right on the river, had a nice rock for the kids to hang out on, nice fire pit. Camp staff was super friendly. There is a TON of trees. So do not expect much sun. That was perfect since it was 90F and sunny. We were able to stay cool. There is also a place near call the sink waterfall-GO! it is cold, it is rocky, it is perfect for an adventure and to cool off and get great pics. There is no electric hook up and the only downside is the office closes at 5pm sharp. So, get there early for firewood. Or you might want to bring a little fuel (not firewood-please buy that at the camp store)
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â it is super rustic. There are no showers. But they do have flush toilets and a nice cleaning...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was our second time staying in this beautiful campground and once again, we enjoyed it very much. We had an awesome site. We didn't want to leave. The old guy that was a camp host was a bit of a crumudgeon, but nothing terrible. All of the rangers were great.
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Date of stay: June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This review is a tough one. Tough because of the amazing beauty that is the Great Smoky Mountains. In all fairness, the Park Service couldn't have been blessed with a more beautiful setting to build a campground. A river runs through it, the nighttime temperatures are cool, and the trees tower above each of the sites. Options abound for generator campers and those wanting peace and quiet. AND, you can reserve sites months in advance. BUT... For all of this beauty, the sites aren't being given away. You pay. And if one is going to pay, it is reasonable to have a few simple services included. The park advertises flush toilets and there are flush toilets. THAT is where it ends. Bugs everywhere in the restroom on J Loop. Bugs that weren't just passing through, but had settled there. Large spiders make a home everywhere in the J Loop restrooms. It wouldn't break the Park Service to throw in a soap dispenser and a way to dry ones hands after using their restroom. Neither are provided. Basic sanitation to prevent disease. No trash can. Nothing. Not even the bare necessities. I thought about mentioning this, but that was before night number two, when we no longer even had light in the restrooms. There was power running to the fans, but no lights. Ridiculous! There was only one water dispensing station nearby. It was busted up pretty bad. Mostly because campers were trying to make the one tight spigot work to fill their containers to cook. Again, seasoned campers would know that this setup was poor at best. So, it is my advice to anyone traveling here, to bring ALL necessities. Such a shame to see such filthy facilities for $20 plus a night. During our four day stay, no one cleaned the restrooms once. Meanwhile, we counted 8-10 campground employees at all time, huddled around the entrance building. Even one painting the trim of the building in that National Park Brown. Restrooms and clean facilities should come FIRST. Shame on you, Park Service!
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Date of stay: August 2013
Value
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have been camping at Elkmont for years. We have roughed it in a tent and we have camped in a variety of campers. We camp here several times throughout the year.
As you will read when you make a reservation for Elkmont on recreation.gov, this is a PRIMITIVE campground. There are no showers, no pool, no arranged activities. There is no wifi and no cell service.
The point of Elkmont and staying at a Primitive campground is to get away from it all. Most of the sites are large, you have tons of space to move around. Most of the staff (rangers & volunteers) are very friendly. Elkmont is close to a lot of trails and the historic Elkmont Vacation Club. The river is great for fly fishing, tubing, swimming and playing.
There are a lot of reviews that mention the bathrooms. If the bathrooms are dirty it is because your fellow campers made them that way. The bathrooms are cleaned at least once a day (used to be first thing in the morning but now we see it throughout the day.) Again, its a primitive campground so the park is not going to provide you soap or dryers. The condition of the bathrooms depends greatly on the condition of the weather and the crowd at the park. If its rainy the floors get yucky.. If there are a lot of kids, the bathrooms tend to get messier.
There are rules at this campground but there have been rules at every campground we have ever stayed at. There are quiet hours, generator free hours, general noise rules, parking rules (stay off the grass to prevent harm to tree roots,) wood rules (don't bring bugs to destroy the trees,) etc. The goal of the rules is to ensure everyone has a nice visit but still ensures the integrity of the park. If someone is blaring their music or running their generator the whole time it can be a nuisance to other guests. Also, this is bear country. So hello Captain Obvious, you cannot leave your coolers or food out unattended. It puts the bears and other guests at risk.
If you are looking to get away from almost everything and enjoy nature, this is your place. If you are looking for accommodations where you don't have to bring everything you need, this is not your place.
Elkmont is between Gatlinburg and Townsend so you are close to attractions on either side. You can also drive over the mountain towards Cherokee for more exploring.
Loops A, B, L, M, and N are generator free from May 15-Oct 31. No generator use allowed. Charging from an engine is also prohibited.
Loops G, H, J, K, L, and M are more quiet. G & H tend to be shadier sites.
Loops C, D, E, & F are busier loops. Lots more traffic and noise in these areas.
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Date of stay: October 2015
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â If you have a river site you will have campers going thru your site to get to the river. This is...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were targeted when we left our camper to hike a nearby trail. When we arrived back our door lock was damaged. Things were stolen. We have a pretty old camper and truck. We left nothing out (like most other campers do) and they still got us.
We reported the theft and the officer said it was very common which I found odd because no reviews mentioning theft are listed anywhere. There are no signs in the campground.
Will not be back to this campground. Really sad because we won't be supporting the local economy. Gatlinburg and the campgrounds need better security.
Campers Beware!
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Date of stay: October 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
elkmont campground hotel gatlinburg
LOCATION
United StatesTennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
220
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