Elkmont Group Camp

Show on map865-430-5560 OR 865-436-1261
434 Elkmont Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Overview

Situated in the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this site offers an ideal setting for group camping excursions and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.

Recreation

Visitors can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the nearby Little River and countless other streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from Elkmont Campground, including the popular Laurel Falls Trail, which leads to spectacular 80-ft. waterfall. The Elkmont, Little River and James Creek Trails are also accessible.

Hiking and fishing are not the only reasons for visiting the Smokies: Picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities.

With around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for a visitor to spot one. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.

The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.

Facilities

Elkmont Group Camp offers four tent-only sites, accommodating anywhere from 15-30 guests per site. Modern amenities like flush toilets and drinking water make for a comfortable outdoor experience. Each site has picnic tables and fire rings with grills, creating the perfect atmosphere for family meals or late night s'mores.

The campsite provides easy access to hiking trails, historical buildings, horseback riding trails and waterfalls.

Elkmont Campground tends to book up during peak months but additional camping is offered nearby at the Cosby Campground and Cosby Group Camp.

Natural Features

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park.

At 2,150 feet elevation, Elkmont Group Camp provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural history of Southern Appalachia. From the prehistoric Paleo Indians to early 19th-century European settlements, the park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes and artifacts that tell the stories of the people who once called these mountains home.

Elkmont is also known for its historical and cultural significance as a former logging community and summer resort getaway.

Nearby Attractions

Gatlinburg, one of the Smokies' famous tourist towns, is located about 9 miles from the site, offering organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aquarium, skiing and more.

Charges & Cancellations

Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.

Camp site features

Across 4 camp sites:

  • Fire pit: all 4 sites
  • Picnic table: 3 of 4 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 4 sites
  • Group sites: all 4 sites
  • Largest party: 30 people
  • Equipment: LARGE TENT OVER 9X12`, SMALL TENT, Tent

Fees

Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. Customers that check out early or do not plan to use their reservation MUST contact the campground office the day they leave or are due to check in, in order to receive a refund. Refund requests for early departure or non use of the site made AFTER the reservation has ended will be denied. Office phone numbers are given in the Facility Contact information for each campground.

Directions

From Cherokee, NC: Take Newfound Gap Road (aka U.S. 441) North through the park into Tennessee. Turn left at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Follow Little River Road approx. 4.5 miles. Turn left at the Elkmont Campground sign and proceed 1.5 miles to the campground office. From Gatlinburg, TN: Take Newfound Gap Road (aka U.S. 441) South into the Park. (If coming from Pigeon Forge, take the Bypass into the park.) Turn a right at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Proceed 4.5 miles to the Elkmont entrance and turn left at the Elkmont Campground sign. Go 1.5 miles to the campground office.

Stay Limit

Check in from 1 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

32 reviews
5 stars
21
4 stars
7
3 stars
3
2 stars
1
Kenny U
Loop:Group
Site:
Reviewed 13 days ago
We've been camping in the group site for 30 years. Always a wonderful time.
Douglas C
Loop:Group
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
Good campsite, bathrooms in good shape, water accessible, location great.
Robert M
Loop:Group
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
The group camp sites were perfect for our trip. We enjoyed the sights and swimming in the Little River.
Natalie S
Loop:Group
Site:
Reviewed 5 months ago
Great site for group camping. Note: water is not at the site, but at the bathhouse. Water fountains do not work. We stayed at 1 & 2- while 1 used to have a paved path the path to the site is broken/not well paved. It is not easily accessible if you use an assistive device. Group site 2 has more tree canopy and group site 1 has better trees for stringing lines. Poison ivy everywhere.
Jill W
Loop:Group
Site:
Reviewed 10 months ago
The rangers were extremely helpful in guiding us to the path we wanted to take and telling us about major points of interest. We had no difficulty on the trail and finding the major points.
Philip E
Loop:Group
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
Great place to camp with a group. Plenty of space for kids to run around and have fun.
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve
Popularity: Very quiet

Busiest in November, when about 18% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 1 years of reservations.

Season dates

Peak season

May 28, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

May 26, 2028 – Sep 4, 2028

Reservable online

Camp Sites

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