National Park Service · Tennessee

Elkmont Group Camp

National Park Service · Tennessee, United States · in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Open on the map Drive there Reserve Directions
Sites
4
Hookups
4 with water, 4 no hookups
Season
May 8 to October 31
Group sites
Yes
Drinking water
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Showers
No
Dump station
Yes
Laundry
No
Pets
Yes
Elevation
2,238 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 3
Cell coverage
T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Lake
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Nearest town
Gatlinburg
Address
434 Elkmont Road, Gatlinburg, TN, 37738
Phone
865-430-5560 OR 865-436-1261
Activities
Amphitheater, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Historic Sites, Interpretive Programs, Ranger Station, Wildlife Viewing

4 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

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.

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.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January43°28°-5°63°10 of 11
February53°33°16°70°10 of 11
March61°40°0°76°7 of 11
April68°45°29°81°2 of 11
May75°56°40°85°0 of 11
June81°63°53°92°0 of 11
July83°67°59°89°0 of 11
August83°67°58°90°0 of 11
September79°62°50°90°0 of 11
October66°46°32°80°1 of 10
November58°38°14°71°4 of 10
December50°32°16°66°9 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Tennessee · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-08-14. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.