The NPS set up Porta-potties.. we did not use them. Nine campsites are wheelchair friendly, and three of these have electrical hookups for medical equipment. The nearest RV dump/fill station is located across from Sugarlands Visitor Center approximately 6 miles from Elkmont. Visitors with campground reservations that only plan to park at their designated campsite do not need a parking tag. It then suffered a series of fires and is now almost completely gone except for the chimney and some foundations. Want to hike to Alum Cave and Mount LeConte? A Lets Talk About Poop: A Campers Guide to Human Waste. Facilities that remain open in the off-peak season November-April have some first come, first serve sites available. Pets are not allowed on trails. 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. Open year-round, Cades Cove Campground borders wild meadows where turkey and bear strut their stuff. Quiet hours are from 10 pm- 6 am and no generators between 8 pm and 8 am. When setting goals for the year ahead, its common to think about ways to further invest in your Signup for Roadpass Pro to get premium access to all of these great road travel apps. Skateboards, scooters, and roller blades are prohibited in the campground. Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff. 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. 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. 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. Elkmont TN used to be a logging town and was located where the existing Elkmont Campground now stands and was owned by the Little River Lumber Company. Beginning March 1, valid parking tag is required for any vehicle parking for more than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And since it follows along the river, it is quite scenic too. Some sites are right along Little River as ours was (C2). The Little River is a great place to fish for trout and smallmouth bass. wading across the Little River (this is a cold and possibly very wet way), Map courtesy of the NPS- https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/upload/Elkmont.pdf. Mostly used as a connecting trail to other trails (Meigs Mountain or Cucumber Gap), this trail is worth an exploration, especially for the first mile. This was the first campground we have been to where the firewood would actually burn and wasn't overly priced. Fun fact- I was eating at the Wonderland Hotel in 1992 watching UT lose in the final moments to South Carolina. There arent bear lockers at each campsite as you are expected to use your car. There is no RV dump/fill station at Elkmont campground. Kids must wear helmets on bikes. Mortgage. Reservations required. There is a camp store that has ice, firewood and other things at reasonable prices. Average snowfall in January is usually between 2-4 inches. The sewer system was being worked on, so there were no working facilities. While we were there in late June, Laurel Falls was mobbed - at least a hundred cars parked along road to traverse trail that is uneven & very narrow in sections. There was a nice stream directly behind us. WANTED! 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. The campground is still open and is a popular place for visitors to come for the annual synchronous fireflies spectacle. Temperatures usually range from the mid-40s to the high-20s. 1608 26th St, Sheffield, Colbert County, AL, 35660 has 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom and a total size of 1,100 square feet. There is an official 8 day long festival during the peak of the mating season when trolleys bring loads of people in and the place is a zoo. Not easy to do in the Smokies most of the time. Best pictures I have ever gotten from Clingmans. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 365 days a year. As you can see, it is close to its neighbours but the proximity to the river makes it worth it. Bathhouses were nic Nor is there WiFi anywhere at the campground. Some sites are right along Little River as ours was (C2). (It is too cold for me at any time of year but the kids like it.) Best bet is the Rec center in Gatlinburg. Elkmont has one of the more thorough recreation.gov websites. 124 Mill View Drive, Moores Mill, Madison County, AL, 35761 has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and a total size of 1,436 square feet. The Elkmont Ghost Town used to be known as the Appalachian Club and was a vacation community. West Side of the Little River- Loops G & H are on the north half and the loops J- N are on the southern half with the group campsites and the ampitheater in between. *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. Failure to check-in with the office staff by noon following the day of your arrival will be considered a no show. Ice and snow flurries are probable, especially in the higher elevations. You Go Sister! Trailheads for Little River Trail, Jakes Creek Trail, and Elkmont Nature Trail are located adjacent to the campground. 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. And it can be a great option for that rainy/overly cold day when you need something to entertain the kids. It is also ground zero if you want to see the amazing synchronous fireflies (or lightning bugs) light up the sky. Toilet paper is usually okay but I would bring a roll just in case. It appeared to be good for all of 2022. 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. The recreation.gov website for Elkmont has decent descriptions of each campsite. Campsite K1-4, K6, K7 & K11 and also sites L1-7 . July 24, 2022by Hugo Warren Smokemont Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open year-round, though some sections are closed in the winter. I would guess that when it is full, it wouldn't feel so private. Our site was level and well-maintained. It's really nice to set your chairs up and have a beer and just watch the river run. Please note that parking tags will be required for vehicles in excess of what is allowable for each campsite. 2. . We enjoyed Little River Trail near Elkmont and Gatlinburg trail near Sugarlands visitor center. The National Park Service maintains over 800 miles of trails and more than 100 backcountry campsites and shelters where you can go winter camping in the Smoky Mountains. But you can drive to Gatlinburg (20 min away without traffic) and usually get a good signal, especially if you have Verizon. August 3, 2022 by Hugo Warren Reservations are required to camp in Elkmont Campground, which is typically open from mid-April to late November. This is campsite F12. . Beware of broken glass and other debris when exploring. NUMBER OF SITES Map of the south end of Elkmont campground with the cut- through trail labeled. Bug spray is necessary. It is open from mid-March to late November each year. I drove around the campground a couple of times and settled upon Camp Site B10 which I felt was the best one available as it was backed up right next to the river.. Beach Cave Forest Swimming hole Waterfall Hipcamp makes it easy to find unique camping experiences. You can see whats left of some of the cabins on this trail on the right. The traffic was crazy! What can you say about this magnificent National park? and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. Many tenters (sadly in the rain). Gatlinburg This rule is strictly enforced. Violators are subject to fines. Even after the park was created, some families kept their cabin leases until 1992 when the park ceased renewing them. We provide tools and tips to discover Turn a right at Sugarlands Visitor Center. 6. It has 200 RV/ tent sites plus 2o walk in sites for tents only spread over 14 loops in the campground, labeled A-N. No cell reception!! If it says RV/motorhome, then there is room to park the big guys; if it says RV, then that usually means a smaller RV or pop-up is fine; and Tent Only is pretty self- explanatory. Panoramic view from Clingmans Dome. These sites have wide concrete driveways, raised fire rings, and wheelchair accessible picnic tables. Fee: $40 per night Dates Open: May 13 - October 30, 2022 Directions to Smokemont Campground Smokemont Campground is in the southeastern area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about six miles from Cherokee, North Carolina. Sh Up for a long weekend at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, camped at the Elkmont campground with a site right on the river. What is the best tent for cold weather camping? It is up some stairs though. Take a left at the sign for Elkmont Nature Trail, where you . The camp has no hookups. Living just 30 minutes from the entrance to the Smokies, we are often asked about a one day itinerary for friends and family visiting the park. Elkmont used to be open year- round but is now only open April/ May- Oct/ Nov. It was a long time before I tried again. I included a sample from the website below so you can see what I mean by the specific campsite descriptions. Enjoy lots of winter activities and snow-covered magical views, especially when visiting the Great Smoky Mountains in December, January, and February. You can drive a couple miles to Laurel Falls to get signal. Others say it isnt bad at all but I would still err on the side of having deterrents. GSMNP, Tenn. (WVLT) - A 7-year-old girl died early Wednesday morning after a tree fell on her tent in the Elkmont Campground, officials with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park said. As it was off season, it was mostly empty. You will have a fantastic weekend! I would guess that when it is full, it wouldn't feel so private. Elkmont gets buggy so bring bug spray and citronella candles May- Sept. Recreation.gov! But is does have plenty of decent chain restaurants like Mellow Mushroom or Calhouns, plus the closest grocery store and outdoor outfitters. Trails in the area are delightful. Even outside of the official festival, people drive themselves to the Little River and Jakes Creek trailheads to see the fireflies so it can be surprisingly busy even late into the night on the Little River Road during these times. 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. On June 12, a bear ripped into a tent at Elkmont Campground in search of food, according to officials. The little blue i at the bottom tells you about this site specifically and that it is not good for an RV. C2, and others in that area are really nice. No restrooms right now. Dont just ask to use the showers or they will say no. Be the first to add a note for Elkmont Campground! Elkmont Campground has 200 tent / RV campsites with paved driveways, gravel tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. Once more for the people in the back- There are no electric/ water/ sewer hookups at any campsite in any of the campgrounds in the Smokies so leave the electric kettle/ coffee maker/ phone charger at home. - Lottery Closes April 29th at 8:00pm - Results Announced Friday, May 10th East And West Sides With A River In The Middle. Be prepared for generator noise. In 1909, tourists could take the two-and-a-half-hour ride from Knoxville to Elkmont for $1.95 each way. At an elevation of 2,150 feet, the area enjoys a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Ive attached a map of where it is. Whether you are planning a trip for Christmas, winter solstice, or just as a chance to get away, the Smokies are a perfect winter wonderland. Please check the descriptions and measurements of individual sites.\r\n\r\nBears and other wildlife frequent the area. Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM-6:00 AM. Port o potties. The Big Tent is what locals call the annual Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show in Arizona. For campground inquiries, please call: 865-430-5560 FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 1-877-444-6777, Learn more about gear rental options for your trip. Camping in the Great Smokey Mountains is fairly primitive. Daisy Town is the small collection of cabins and the Appalachian Club that are the closest to the campground. 9364 Elkmont Ct, Peyton, CO 80831 . But these G and H loop riverfront campsites also tend to have great access to the river whereas some of the ones on the K, L, M, and N loops can have steep drops down to the river. The campground has cabins ,tiny homes, RV spaces, glamping tents. That will end badly (personal experience talking here). The road leads not just to the campground but also to the trailheads for the popular Little River Trail and Jakes Creek trails so you can have lots of people during the day plus a surprising amount of early morning hikers. The park service decided not to restore these and they have crumbled. Elkmont is one of our go-to campgrounds in the Smokies because it has so many kid-friendly activities to do at or near the campground. We went at 7:30 am our last day & had good hike with minimal traffic on the trail, but by the time we got back the crowds were building quickly. Can you leave food in car in Smoky Mountains? Elkmont Campground - Great Smoky Mountains National Park 3. Simplify your life with weekend getaways (already planned for you), summer destination itineraries, and travel hacks to help you and your kids have a Simply Awesome Trip. Elkmont Campground is usually open from mid-March until the end of October, though not all sections of the campground are open until May. Explore the most visited national park in the country. You cannot get a generator waiver anymore, so if you need electricity overnight for a medical device, you need to reserve one of these sites. L4 and L5 are nice too, especially good if you need 2 together as they are pretty close to each other. 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. and Tantrum Brewing Company. Bagged ice is $4.97 in park. Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff. I would hike the trails first and then come back to Metcalf Bottoms for a picnic while the kids splash in the river. 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). As it was off season, it was mostly empty. There are 200 tent/RV campsites, 20-walk-in sites for tents, restrooms and more. 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. If you are looking for a fun day out with the family that combines some inexpensive outside time with views of the mountains, good food, and even a chance to run across a swinging bridge, then the Townsend Historical Trail might be just the thing. The turkeys crossing the Little River Road are cool, but our campsite, B21, is right there in the trees on the left side of the road, not 25 feet from it. Go to recreation.gov website for Elkmont- https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232487. So cute. While camped at one of the pristine campgrounds in the Smoky Mountains, there happened to be a gathering of the Sisters on the Fly, and I caught a few random pictures of some of their rigs. Thank you for helping us protect our resources for future generations by, Parking it Forward!. Junction City - Schreiner Park Campground, Upper Teton View - Toppings Lake Dispersed Campsites #8 - 16, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground, Your Guide to the 2023 Quartzsite Sports, Vacation, & RV Show. January and February are typically the coldest months of the year in the Smokies. The river is very shallow next to sites. With its brilliant fall color display and the diminishing crowds from summer, now is the perfect time to check out this beautiful town. It also means it gets dark before sunset. It is the tan route in their color-coded scheme. It lists recommended lodging options if you are not camping as well as activities and restaurants in nearby Townsend, TN. Click HERE for more information on the Synchronous Fireflies Event! Elkmont Campground is open from March 8 through November 30, 2013. Elkmont is big. The restrooms never have soap unless somebody spreads some campground magic by leaving a dispenser for everyone to share. They dont sell them in the park. Use this locals years of experience at gorgeous Cades Cove to find out everything you need to know about camping at Cades Cove Campground. NO. The sites are mostly flat. Bathhouses were nice and clean, There is a very small store at the entrance for those things that you may have forgotten. 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