There arent bear lockers at each campsite as you are expected to use your car. 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. 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,. Food safety is strictly enforced-- no food or even water left at campsite or in tents when not actively cooking or eating. You can easily drive to Gatlinburg in under 30 minutes from Elkmont but expect to pay about $20 for parking. Wood needs to be certified heat treated. TYPE OF CAMPING 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. Posted: Jun 13, 2022 / 02:55 PM EDT Updated: Jun 15, 2022 / 08:05 PM EDT GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) A bear hungry for food tore open a tent over the weekend at Elkmont Campground in the Great. 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. Hiking, swimming, biking, fishing, history there is even a ghost town on site to explore.
Lesson learneddont forget your site number. Learn more about some of the historic buildings that have been restored in Elkmont Ghost Town, then plan a visit to the area yourself! See the Elkmont Region web page for an interactive location map. Elkmont Ghost Town isnt hard to find! There arent any tent only loops at Elkmont much to my chagrin as a dedicated tent camper, but they do forbid generator use on loops A, B, L, M, and N. There are 20 walk in campsites in Elkmont where the tent pad is located a short distance away or up/down a few stairs from the parking area.
It was a long time before I tried again. Campsite D1 on the Little River at Elkmont Campground, Campsite D6 on the Little River at Elkmont Campground. on the west side of the campground just over the bridge from the ranger station and are right by the ampitheater. 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. The restored Spence Cabin can now be rented out for events. 3. . Elkmont Campground Map (click to view or download PDF). The following are a few observations about the different campsites at the Elkmont Campground that may coming in handy when trying to decide which site to pick. Elkmont Campground (220 sites, wheelchair accessible) Elkmont Campground is the largest campground in the park and is less than 10 miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee. However, the community was originally known as Little River because of its location in the upper Little River Valley. Please be really considerate if you arrive after 10 pm and try to set up camp. All that's really left of the Wonderland Hotel are some chimneys. The climate is characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Even non food items like candles and scented soaps count because bears think they smell super interesting and are curious to know if they are, in fact, food. In 1901, the Little River Lumber Company was formed when Colonel Wilson B. Townsend purchased 86,000 acres of land along the river. I would bring real water shoes too as the river is rocky and not fun on bare feet. For campground inquiries, please call: 865-430-5560 FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 1-877-444-6777, Learn more about gear rental options for your trip. The Little River to Cucumber Gap to Jakes Creek back to Elkmont is a popular 5.6 mile loop trail for longer day hikes without too much elevation change (830 ft). B5 through B10 are on the Little River. There is a 2nd tent pad behind me as well. The walk in sites B2, B3, and B4 are grouped right next to each other and a little away from everyone else so get some friends and get these if you can. I would hike the trails first and then come back to Metcalf Bottoms for a picnic while the kids splash in the river. Those with more tents than pad space must pay for a second campsite. Owners of a Senior or Access pass receive a discount. It lists recommended lodging options if you are not camping as well as activities and restaurants in nearby Townsend, TN. N2 and N3 at the far end of the N loop on the west side might look like they would have a lot of privacy but there is a cut through trail that leads to the Jakes Creek and Little River trailheads next to these 2 sites so they arent as quiet as you might think. It has 200 RV/ tent sites plus 2o walk in sites for tents only spread over 14 loops in the campground, labeled A-N. And since it follows along the river, it is quite scenic too. You can drink alcohol at your campsite. This lists all the rules and regulations, opening and closing dates, and the latest camping fees. All pets must be kept on a six foot leash at all times. Sites B22, B23, and B25 are close to the parking lot. If you have forgotten your assigned site, check the Arrival List posted on the bulletin board at the kiosk for your name and site number. 7. Reservations which exceed the 14 consecutive day limit may be cancelled and refunded. For more information on camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, see the National Park ServicesFrontcountry Campingweb page. The exact season changes from year to year so check the website. If you walk a little ways up Jakes Creek trail and the Little River trail, you can find the remnants of these vacation cabins that were dismantled by the park in recent years. Please note that parking tags will be required for vehicles in excess of what is allowable for each campsite. From Sugarlands Visitor Center: Drive 4.8 miles on Fighting Creek Gap Road. You can see whats left of some of the cabins on this trail on the right. East And West Sides With A River In The Middle. Definitely not for strollers but fine for toddlers due to its short length and minimal elevation gain. It is also only 20 minutes from Gatlinburg, a kitschy mountain town loaded with family- friendly attractions. When the national park was established in 1934, residents had to decide whether they would sell their homes for full value and relocate right away, or they could sell their properties to the National Park Service for a discounted price and get to stay in their homes for the remainder of their lifetime. Beginning March 1, valid parking tag is required for any vehicle parking for more than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Its one of the oldest buildings in this region of the Smoky Mountains and was relocated from the Jakes Creek area to Elkmont. Please dont add to the growing collection of trash downriver and bring water shoes that fasten. You dont actually need to pay for a parking pass for your campsite but you will if you want to take your car anywhere else 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 are many, many more hikes but we have narrowed down our recommended hikes for kid-pleasing, shorter, easier walks in the woods! This year (2022), the recreation.gov website had availability for May 2023 in Nov 2022 so it looks like the 6 month release is working. Campsite E1 on the Little River at Elkmont Campground, Handicap-accessible campsite E3 on the Little River at Elkmont Campground. If you want more info about the Tennessee side of the Smokies and especially about our favorite family-friendly trails, check out our Great Smoky Mountains National Park Guidebook available on Amazon. We give you a detailed, 5 day itinerary that hits the highlights of the park while missing the crowds and introduces you to the Smokies we know and love as locals. With 220 sites you have many options for where you want to camp. Typical campsite at Elkmont with the fall colours. Best pictures I have ever gotten from Clingmans. 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. Park on the pavement only and/or in designated spaces. 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. The park stay-limit is 14 consecutive days. *For the last 2 weeks in May and the first 2 weeks in June, people come from all over the world to see the synchronous fireflies at Elkmont. Elkmont has had trouble getting a regular vendor to run the store since the long-time concessionaire retired at the end of 2020. Elkmont Campground - elevation 2,150 feet (655m) - is the closest frontcountry camping area to Sugarlands Visitor Center in the North District of the park. Located eight miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Elkmont Campground is the largest and busiest campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making a great place for camping near Nashville. Prices can always change. Sites B21 through B24 are off by themselves, so if you want privacy, these are the ones to get. As you can see, it is close to its neighbours but the proximity to the river makes it worth it. 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. Current office hours are 9am-5pm.During November-April the office may be open intermittently; during these months campers occupying their site must be able to provide proof of occupancy when requested by park staff., Tent pads at Elkmont measure 16 x 16 and will accommodate one large or two small tents. These two historic structures have been restored and are kid favorites, especially the old schoolhouse). Handicap-accessible campsite A26 with lantern post and tall grill / fire pit. They are not transferable either, meaning you will need one for each car you plan on driving into the park. None of the tent pads are particularly far from the parking so unless mobility is really an issue, then I would not let that deter you from these sites. 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). Elkmont Campground is the largest campground offering in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Riverfront campsite B7.
Toilet paper is usually okay but I would bring a roll just in case. Bring bathing suits, water shoes, and towels in the summer for the river. This is an extremely popular campground and is almost always completely booked. The following campgrounds have on-site firewood sales: Park campgrounds are not gated. It is the tan route in their color-coded scheme. If you arrive . There are a couple of different sections in the Elkmont Historic District: Wonderland Hotel- near the entrance to Elkmont campground. Quiet hours are from 10 pm- 6 am and no generators between 8 pm and 8 am. However, all of the driveways are really sloped, so RVers may want to avoid them. Sites E1, E3, E5, E7, and E9 are on the Little River. The large number of abandoned buildings eventually led to the town being called Elkmont Ghost Town.. If you show up without a reservation when the Elkmont Campground Office is open, not only can you get a campsite for that nightif any are availableyou can also book one for the remainder of your stay (again, assuming any are available). No matter the season, the Middle Prong Trail is an easy and pleasant hike in the Smokies. Because the last trolley leaves Gatlinburg at 530pm, it is not an option if you want to go out for dinner but great if you want to head over to the Aquarium for the day or just get out of the campground on a rainy day without paying extortionate parking prices in Gatlinburg. So it fills up fast. more information on current conditions Great Smoky Mountains National Park Frontcountry Camping, Cades Cove (at Cades Cove Campground Store). 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. This is the rule for all campgrounds in the Smokies. They are allowed anywhere cars can go so basically you can go all around the campground with your dog (or cat I guess) and to the trailheads, but not on the trails themselves. Beware of broken glass and other debris when exploring. Hammock camping is fairly popular at Elkmont. It has a steep driveway so is tent only but it looks down on the K and L loops below and the driveway blocks the road so no headlights in your face. Hammocks are allowed in the campground with the following guidelines: Must be over the footprint of the campsite, limited to trees 10 inches in diameter with adequate padding around the tree and only 2 hammocks are allowed to be suspended from the same tree. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park. Campsites D1, D3, D4, and D6 are on the Little River. Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff. This family friendly campground is one of our favorites in the Smokies and we return to it again and again. Most importantly, please keep in mind that the Smokies is a temperate rain forest and gets as much rain as the Pacific Northwest. 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.
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Euro-Americans settlement of the Elkmont area began in the 19th century when the Ownby and Trentham families . Most have been restored by the park service in recent years. Sites N5 and N6, also tents-only site, have a view of a creek on the other side of the road. 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. 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 G sites tend to be packed together, so if you are looking for privacy, your best bet is G26, which is off by itself. Snacks, coffee, and sodas are sold via vending machines. Per the campground map, the adjacent A13, A14, and A16, which allow RVs as well as tents, are next to the creek, but only A14 is right on it. Cades Cove is notoriously the busiest area of the Smokies. This section of the Elkmont Historic District was called Millionaires Row. 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. Great Smoky Mountains National Park. View the pets webpage for details. Elkmont Ghost Town is also just steps away from the parks largest campground, Elkmont. Elkmont Campground is one of 10 campgrounds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and one of the most popular, probably because it is one of the biggest and one of the most developed. Recreation.gov! Use this locals years of experience at gorgeous Cades Cove to find out everything you need to know about camping at Cades Cove Campground. All sites hold up to six people and two vehicles. Campsite B25 at Elkmont Campground is the closest walk-in site to the parking lot. Campsites A5, A7, A9, and A11 are walk-in sites situated along a small creek that runs through the campground (not the Little River). I repeat- There is no electricity/ water/ sewer hookups at any campsite in Elkmont. There are no showers, electric, water, or sewer hook-ups in the park. Pets are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet. We absolutely respect your privacy and do not share email addresses. All scented items (candles, soap, etc.) The Little River is a great place to fish for trout and smallmouth bass. . 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). 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. Campsite G7 on the Little River at Elkmont Campground. There is a store by the ranger station which I give quotation marks to because it is really not much more than a glorified walk in closet. Gatlinburg is not my favorite place due to my lack of interest in crowds or more knick-knacks to clutter up my house more than it already is. You can have as many tents as you can fit on the pad, though realistically that means two tents in most cases. L2 is another of my favorites as it has a ton of privacy even though it doesnt look like it on the map. Campsite List Seasons & Fees Or go in the shoulder months of April and November. Or is glamping more your style? If you want to see this unique spot on your vacation, weve put together a guide of everything you need to know about Elkmont Ghost Town: The Elkmont area was first settled in the 1840s. *Pro Tip- Wear real shoes when exploring. Skateboards, scooters, and roller blades are prohibited in the campground. Pets are allowed as long as they stay on a leash no longer than six feet. Located on the Tennessee side of the park, Elkmont is within easy driving of some of the most popular park attractions like Laurel Falls (10 minutes), Alum Cave trail (30 min), and Clingmans Dome (50 min). With A9 and A11 you must also walk down stairs to get to the camping area. The rest of the sites are fairly level. You will see the remnants of the cabins that wealthy people from Knoxville once had in this area and one, Spence Cabin, has been fully restored. The rangers and the campground host do patrol around during the day and will write you up or even confiscate stuff if you are particularly egregious. You can put up hammocks as long as you stay within your campsite and dont drill anything into the tree. The Elkmont Campground is not gated, so you can check in after hours. The Appalachian Club was a private club with a clubhouse and cabins for its members and its remnants are what you see today in this area. In addition, Recreation.gov provides photos of the sites. Quiet hours are in effect from 10 pm to 6 am. There is no RV dump/fill station at Elkmont campground. The group campsites are maybe one of my best kept secrets for Elkmont and we often try to reserve these if we have at least 7 people, not hard to do in our large family that all live in the area. The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. 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. Located eight miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Elkmont Campground is the largest and busiest campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At the trailhead, look for the box containing brochures containing all the information that corresponds to the numbered signs along the trail (or ask for one at the ranger station).