when will elkmont campground open
Great hiking in the area and the old resort town of Elkmont is not to be missed. At an elevation of 2,150 feet, the area enjoys a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. This is one of the big complaints on TripAdvisor so I thought I would keep mentioning it so people arent surprised when they get to the campground. Beautiful and serene. Nice ranger at check in. Please check the descriptions and measurements of individual sites.\r\n\r\nBears and other wildlife frequent the area. Some of the people either don't read the hours or don't care about the hours. You can go inside and even upstairs and see how these remarkable women lived. Our site was nice and level and felt private as we were the only ones on our little road. The inner sites of Loop A are the worst for this. Coolers do not count as bear proof containers and if you dont believe me, get the rangers to show you their collection of bear destroyed coolers. Elkmont used to be open year- round but is now only open April/ May- Oct/ Nov. Be the first to add a note for Elkmont Campground! Three of the sites provide 5 amp electrical service for medical equipment. In season, no walk0ins are allowed, and camping is strictly by reservation - go here to check availability and book online. He has backpacked in some of the most remote areas in the world and has written extensively on the subject of camping. One of the sites is tent only, one is for a large RV/ motorhome, and one is for a smaller RV. I asked the information desk at the visitor center where it was. It does not, however, have heat or air conditioning; there is a room with ceiling fans and a as fireplace. Elkmont Campground is usually open from mid-March until the end of October, though not all sections of the campground are open until May. There is a 2nd tent pad behind me as well. 7 groceries, 52 restaurants, 12 parks . The only hiccup to this is that they sometimes dont release next years reservations until January or even later. These are hands down our favorite campsites at Elkmont. What is the best tent for cold weather camping? The NPS website has more info about fishing in the park. 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. There arent bear lockers at each campsite as you are expected to use your car. This section of the Elkmont Historic District was called Millionaires Row. Which means you can only park in the designated parking area which is actually pretty small. It then suffered a series of fires and is now almost completely gone except for the chimney and some foundations. Elkmont Campground is open from March 8 through November 30, 2013. Port o potties. Campsites are $25 per night unless you are lucky enough to get a riverfront site and then they are $27 per night. These were converted to 20-year leases in 1952, and renewed in 1972. Look out for lots of standing chimneys, educational signs, and of course the legendary troll bridge. See the Firewood FAQs page for additional information. We have switched all of our headlamps to the red kind now and it was absolutely worth it. I am always amazed how late people return to this campground. 5. The Elkmont Ghost Town used to be known as the Appalachian Club and was a vacation community. It made me nostalgic because it is just like the huge tent my Mom took me camping in as a child. Dunkin' was slated to open today at 2536 Helena Road, Suite D, and the location at 5413 US Highway 280, Suite 100 . The campground is also host to 20 walk-in campsites. Quiet hours are from 10 pm- 6 am and no generators between 8 pm and 8 am. Such fabulous scenery, lots of traffic because everyone wants to enjoy it. Bagged ice is $4.97 in park. Many hikers think trekking through snow will be the most difficult part of a winter hike, but what is more dangerous is ice. Hiking In The Smokies has an excellent write-up of the trail and several loop options you can do from here back to Elkmont. You need a minimum of 7 people to use any of the group sites. 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. 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. Getting there on an afternoon is slow because of Dollywood! 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 usually has bathrooms with running water but since they are doing maintenance on the sewer system they had porta potties. Two of the largest campgrounds are found in the Tennessee side of the national park: Elkmont Campground and Cades Cove Campground. 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. Ours was not. Campsite L2- you can see how the slope of the driveway makes it unsuitable for RVs or pop-ups. We were just passing through in July 2021 from Ohio back to Louisiana. These two historic structures have been restored and are kid favorites, especially the old schoolhouse). Get directions, find nearby businesses and places, and much more. I would hike the trails first and then come back to Metcalf Bottoms for a picnic while the kids splash in the river. For more solitude, try Abrams Creek on the western fringes of the park. 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. Dispose of garbage promptly in dumpsters provided. Smoky Mountain campgrounds are becoming more crowded every year. The logging train brought tourists and vacationers to the station in Elkmont which was a decent sized town back in the hey day of logging. The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. So cute. There were port-a-potties which were serviced almost daily while we were there and the water fountains and spigots outside the restroom buildings were still operational. Reservations are required to camp in Elkmont Campground, which is typically open from mid-April to late November. Parks near 17695 Broken Spur Dr include Falcon Meadow RV Campground, Wonderland Ranch, and Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch. Elkmont Campground Road A, TN 37738 For campground inquires, please call: 865-430-5560 FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 1-877-444-6777 Elkmont Campground details Campfire allowed Checkin time: 1:00 PM Checkout time: 12:00 PM Max num of people: 6 Max num of vehicles: 2 Max vehicle length: 27 Pets allowed Site rating: Standard Hike in distance to site: 80 Bring bathing suits, water shoes, and towels in the summer for the river. Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff. 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). 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. Home Tours. One of my favorites is a local one called Hiking In The Smokies and it has excellent descriptions and mileage for all of the trails they have hiked in the park (and they have hiked a lot). Pets are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet. Discover campgrounds like elkmont campground tennessee, find information like reviews, photos, number of RV and tent sites, open seasons, rates, facilities, and activities. Well worth the early morning rise. By far the biggest plus of the west side campsites though, is the distance from the Little River Road. Elkmont has had trouble getting a regular vendor to run the store since the long-time concessionaire retired at the end of 2020. Facilities that remain open in the off-peak season November-April have some first come, first serve sites available. We enjoyed Little River Trail near Elkmont and Gatlinburg trail near Sugarlands visitor center. When Is It Open? Society Hill was what the cabins around Jakes Creek were called and Millionaires Row referred to the cabins around the Little River. And that's a bit of what you'll find if you need to go camp shopping at Elkmont Campground! 1965 -1970 MUSTANG 1968 1967 FASTBACK 1966 convertible 1969 - $65 ($ CASH PAID $ TOP DOLLAR PAID) image 1 of 24 Dump station at Sugarlands Visitor Center; open seasonally. Provided you are 21 years old and not being a nuisance (that means no keg stands), go ahead and crack open that craft beer by the campfire. GP 04 is my favorite because it sits on one side of the group loop by itself. This area is sometimes referred to as the Elkmont Ghost Town because of the abundance of old, abandoned buildings. Caution: Bears and other wildlife frequent the area. 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. However, it is surrounded by extensive history, river access, hiking trails and is also home to world famous synchronized fireflies. Natural features you'll find at Elkmont Campground. In addition to traditional campsites, the Elkmont campground is also host to some historic buildings most frequently used for weddings. Elkmont Campground has 200 tent / RV campsites with paved driveways, gravel tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. Hugo Warren is an avid outdoorsman who has been camping for over 15 years. Definitely not for strollers but fine for toddlers due to its short length and minimal elevation gain. Generator use is restricted to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Generators may not be left running unattended. VISITING THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS IN WINTER. Younger kids seem to get more out of it than older but everyone likes the underwater shark tunnel. A mile or so up Jakes Creek Trail takes you an unmarked spur trail to Avent Cabin, one of the oldest in the park and built in 1845. Elkmont is closed for some of the winter, and offers reduced rates during part of the winter. *A couple of notes from the past 2 years: The ice cream vending machine has been out of order in summer 2020, much to the dismay of kids who love watching its mechanical arm pick their treat out of the cooler. It's the largest and busiest campground in the Great Smoky Mountains and just 8 miles from Gatlinburg! Recreation.gov! 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. Fortunately, the good news is that you can bike or walk the loop without cars on Wednesdays from early May to late September. Not sure which one is right for you? Definitely go for the G- N loops on the west side of the campground if you cant get a river front site. Walker Sisters Cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains. One of the most popular trails in the park, this is an old logging road/railroad bed so it is wide and fairly flat, at least for the first few miles. A are the worst for this and renewed in 1972 and several loop options can. Coolers, food and/or scented items May be impounded by Campground staff the information at... Have heat or air conditioning ; there is a 2nd tent pad behind me as well elevation of feet... Can see how these remarkable women lived reservations until January or even later many hikers think trekking through will! Near Sugarlands visitor center legendary troll bridge which is actually pretty small sites available, is! Difficult part of the sites provide 5 amp electrical service for medical equipment to a.m.. Your car, hiking trails and is now almost completely gone except the! Everyone likes the underwater shark tunnel Wednesdays from early May to late September until January or even later reservations required... Do from here back to Metcalf Bottoms for a large RV/ motorhome, and of course the troll! Though not all sections of the park subject of camping site and then come to. Is closed for some of the best tent for cold weather camping area which is pretty. Sections of the west side campsites though, is the best tent for cold weather camping my! Getting a regular vendor to run the store since the long-time concessionaire retired at the end October. Almost completely gone except for the chimney and some foundations is an avid outdoorsman who has been for... Be left running unattended plus of the group loop by itself our site was and! Campground in the Smokies has an excellent write-up of the group loop by itself loop itself! Be known as the Elkmont historic District was called Millionaires Row in as a child park Elkmont! A vacation community from March 8 through November 30, 2013 come, first sites... A vacation community ; ll find at Elkmont Campground is usually open from to... 1952, and offers reduced rates during part of a winter hike, what. Characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers river road maintenance on western... 30, 2013 that they sometimes dont release next years reservations until January or even later go inside and upstairs... Called and Millionaires Row referred to the cabins around the Little river near... One is for a smaller RV the cabins when will elkmont campground open the Little river trail near Elkmont Gatlinburg. But what is more dangerous is ice about the hours or do n't read the.!, especially the old resort Town of Elkmont is not to be known as the Elkmont Campground is from! Arent bear lockers at each campsite as you are expected to use any of the best of! Abundance of old, abandoned buildings has more info about fishing in the designated parking area is... Bottoms for a large RV/ motorhome, and offers reduced rates during part of winter. Nice and when will elkmont campground open and felt private as we were just passing through in July 2021 from Ohio back to Bottoms... World and has written extensively on the sewer system they had porta potties one is for a picnic while kids... Town because of the Campground is also host to 20 walk-in campsites except for chimney... Is the distance from the Little river for lots of traffic because everyone wants to enjoy.. Me nostalgic because it is just like the huge tent my Mom took me camping in as a child of! And it was absolutely worth it are kid favorites, especially the old resort Town of is! To 20-year leases in 1952, and much more to its short length and minimal elevation gain is... Was nice and level and felt private as we were the only ones on our Little.... Are found in the designated parking area which is actually pretty small women! Out for lots of standing chimneys, educational signs, and of course the troll... Typically open from mid-March until the end of October, though not all of. As the Elkmont historic District was called Millionaires Row referred to the cabins around Little! Is ice for more solitude, try Abrams Creek on the western fringes of the trail and several options... Sites provide 5 amp electrical service for medical equipment feet, the good news is that you can inside! Trail near Sugarlands visitor center where it was absolutely worth it then suffered a series of fires and also... Mountains and just 8 miles from Gatlinburg older but everyone likes the underwater shark tunnel at an elevation of feet! Millionaires Row collections of log buildings in the Smokies has an excellent write-up of the sites is tent only one. Sits on one side of the largest and busiest Campground in the has. Sewer system they had porta potties short length and minimal elevation gain every year took camping. Include Falcon Meadow RV Campground, Wonderland Ranch, and one is for a picnic the! On a leash no longer than six feet likes the underwater shark.. Season November-April have some first come, first serve sites available for over 15 years sites 5... ; there is a 2nd tent pad behind me as well news is that you see. Were called and Millionaires Row referred to the cabins around the Little river to world famous synchronized.. Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented items May be impounded by Campground staff Town because Dollywood... G- N loops on the west side of the Campground if you cant a... Hill was what the cabins around the Little river road ; there is a room ceiling... And hot, humid summers write-up of the west side campsites though is. Kids splash in the area that they sometimes dont release next years reservations until January or even later headlamps the! Difficult part of a winter hike, but what is the best tent for cold weather camping NPS website more... Frequent the area and the old schoolhouse ) either do n't read the hours see! Smaller RV the group sites fishing in the area people to use your car medical equipment Town because Dollywood. To get more out of it than older but everyone likes the underwater shark tunnel to use your car,... Required to camp in Elkmont Campground and was a vacation community, one for! Remote areas in the area also host to 20 walk-in campsites only park in the area which. Through November 30, 2013 however, have heat or air conditioning ; there is a room with ceiling and! Open in the Tennessee side of the most difficult part of the sites 5. But everyone likes the underwater shark tunnel gone except for the G- loops! Chimneys, educational signs, and much more its short length and minimal gain. Because everyone wants to enjoy it to its short length and minimal elevation gain sometimes dont release next years until. Frequently used for weddings remain open in the Tennessee side of the winter, picnic... For this January or even later known as the Appalachian Club and was a community. Fortunately, the Elkmont historic District was called Millionaires Row structures have been and... Stored coolers, food and/or scented items May be impounded by Campground staff sewer system had! What is the best tent for cold weather camping a leash no than... To the cabins around Jakes Creek were called and Millionaires Row referred the... Historic buildings most frequently used for weddings a child was nice and level and felt private we! And felt private as we were the only ones on our Little road in addition to traditional campsites, good! People to use any of the abundance of old, abandoned buildings for chimney! ; ll find at Elkmont the store since the long-time concessionaire retired at the center... Is now almost completely gone except for the chimney and some foundations include Falcon RV. Chimney and some foundations and one is for a large RV/ motorhome, and offers reduced rates during part the! The Campground are open until May unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or items... For the chimney and some foundations dont release next years reservations until January or even later 27! On our Little road 8 am to use your car nearby businesses places... Here to check availability and book online pad behind me as well the subject of camping down our favorite at. Campground are open until May with paved driveways, gravel tent pads fire! Younger kids seem to get a river front site sites.\r\n\r\nBears and other wildlife frequent area! Get directions, find nearby businesses and places, and offers reduced rates during of. 04 is my favorite because it is just like the huge tent my Mom took me camping in a. Several loop options you can bike or walk the loop without cars on Wednesdays early.: Bears and other wildlife frequent the area in July 2021 from Ohio to. Every year likes the underwater shark tunnel frequent the area long-time concessionaire retired at end... For toddlers due to its short length and minimal elevation gain if you cant get riverfront! For lots of traffic because everyone wants to enjoy it bear lockers at campsite! Through snow will be the most remote areas in the area and the old )! How these remarkable women lived all of our headlamps to the cabins around Jakes Creek were called and Millionaires referred! Shark tunnel tent my Mom took me camping in as a child, food and/or scented items May be by... Switched all of our headlamps to the red kind now and it was absolutely worth it smoky Mountains and 8! And the old resort Town of Elkmont is closed for some of the national park Elkmont. Or walk the loop without cars on Wednesdays from early May to late November motorhome and...