Elkmont Campground
Elkmont Campground is the largest and most visited campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, sitting at 2,150 feet elevation along the Little River just eight miles from Gatlinburg. With 211 sites spread across standard, walk-to, and tent-only loops, it offers everything from waterfront pitches to secluded spots beneath a dense forest canopy. Demand is intense year-round — but particularly tough in summer — so knowing when and how to book is the difference between landing a site and going home empty-handed.
Sold out? Sites at Elkmont Campground open up when campers cancel.
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At a Glance
We analyzed 21,023 reservations at Elkmont Campground to surface the booking windows, cancellation hours, and monthly demand patterns that give you a real edge.
Planning Tips
June is the hardest month to book at Elkmont — 4,142 reservations with only 24.6% available last-minute and 19.0% planned 6+ months in advance — so avoid it unless you're booking at the six-month mark exactly. October rivals June in raw competition (3,118 reservations, 14.8% booked 6+ months out) but offers peak fall foliage color as the reward. August and November are the sweet spots for flexible campers: both months post last-minute rates above 34%, meaning sites genuinely open up close to arrival.
Elkmont sits eight miles from Gatlinburg along Little River Road, and a personal vehicle is the primary way to reach the campground and access trailheads in this corridor of the park. Unlike the Cades Cove loop, there is no mandatory shuttle requirement for Elkmont, so you can come and go freely by car. That said, Gatlinburg and the Sugarlands Visitor Center area can experience severe congestion on summer and fall weekends, so plan to make grocery runs and town visits in the early morning.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park charges a $35 per vehicle entrance fee valid for seven days; the America the Beautiful Annual Pass covers this fee and is worth purchasing if you visit two or more national parks in a year. Nightly camping fees at Elkmont vary by site type — check Recreation.gov at time of booking for the current rate, as fees are set by the park and subject to change. No additional permit is required for standard or tent-only sites at Elkmont beyond the standard Recreation.gov reservation.
The maximum stay at Elkmont is 14 consecutive nights, and given that demand is Very High every day of the week, extensions beyond your booked window are essentially impossible in peak months. Cell service inside the campground is limited; download offline maps and your reservation confirmation before leaving Gatlinburg. Pets are permitted in the campground but must be on a leash no longer than six feet at all times and are not allowed on most hiking trails in the park, so plan accordingly if you're bringing a dog.
Location
Address
Sevier County, Tennessee
Coordinates
35.6583, -83.5822
Nearby Campgrounds
Elkmont Group Camp
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Appalachian Clubhouse
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Spence Cabin
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Pavilion
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Twin Creeks Picnic Pavilion
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Anthony Creek Horse Camp
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Photos
Elkmont Campground FAQ
How far in advance should I book Elkmont Campground?
We analyzed 21,023 reservations at Elkmont Campground to surface the booking windows, cancellation hours, and monthly demand patterns that give you a real edge.
What is the busiest time at Elkmont Campground?
The busiest months at Elkmont Campground are Jun, Jul, Oct. June is the single hardest month at Elkmont: 4,142 reservations logged and 19.0% were planned 6+ months in advance — the highest forward-planning rate of any month.
What are the best months to camp at Elkmont Campground?
March through April, August through November
Are RV sites available at Elkmont Campground?
RV at Elkmont Campground have medium availability. RV campers (620 reservations) book last-minute at a 37% rate — higher than tent campers — suggesting RV sites turn over more and are slightly easier to snag close to your travel date.
Are tent sites available at Elkmont Campground?
Tent at Elkmont Campground have low availability. Tent sites (10,830 reservations) have a 30% last-minute rate and 9% booked 6+ months out, reflecting the sheer volume of competition for standard and tent-only loops.
Are there campsites available at Elkmont Campground right now?
Yes! There are currently 140 site-nights available over the next 14 days at Elkmont Campground, with availability on 11 different dates. Availability changes frequently due to cancellations - download the Campsite Tonight app to get instant alerts when new sites open up.
What should I know before visiting Elkmont Campground?
The maximum stay at Elkmont is 14 consecutive nights, and given that demand is Very High every day of the week, extensions beyond your booked window are essentially impossible in peak months. Cell service inside the campground is limited; download offline maps and your reservation confirmation before leaving Gatlinburg. Pets are permitted in the campground but must be on a leash no longer than six feet at all times and are not allowed on most hiking trails in the park, so plan accordingly if you're bringing a dog.
How often is availability checked at Elkmont Campground?
Campsite Tonight monitors Elkmont Campground for cancellations and new availability as fast as every 28 sec. When a site opens up, users with alerts enabled receive instant notifications so they can book before others.
Can I get a reservation at Elkmont Campground?
Yes! 5 campers have recently added Elkmont Campground to cart, with stays up to 7 nights. Even when fully booked, cancellations happen regularly. Set up an alert to get notified instantly when a site opens up.
Where is Elkmont Campground located?
Elkmont Campground is located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.
Track Availability at Elkmont Campground
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