Elkmont Group Camp
Great Smoky Mountains National Park — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: Gatlinburg, TN, TN
Price: From $38 per night
Price range: $38–$75 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (28 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.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.Visitors can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the nearby Little River and countless other streams and rivers that snake
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/elkmont-group-camp to be notified when sites open up.
Located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with access to over 800 miles of maintained trails and excellent backcountry trout fishing in the Little River and surrounding streams. Highly rated by campers (4.6/5 stars) who praise the helpful staff and beautiful natural setting.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Bobcat, Timber Rattlesnake, and Pileated Woodpecker present in the area.
Insider tips for Elkmont Group Camp: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 4 tent sites and high demand Site C7 is located right next to restrooms for convenient access Nearly all sites have tent pads, picnic tables, fire rings, and space for vehicles
Skip Elkmont Group Camp if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available. You plan to camp outside May-October — seasonal operations only. You want more than 4 sites available — only 4 total tent sites.
Best time to visit Elkmont Group Camp: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Appalachian Clubhouse (Gatlinburg, TN), Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains (Gatlinburg, TN), Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Pavilion (GATLINBURG, TN), Twin Creeks Picnic Pavilion (GATLINBURG, TN).
Cell Phone Coverage at Elkmont Group Camp
Cell signal at Elkmont Group Camp (Gatlinburg, TN): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.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.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. The Elkmont, Little River and James Creek Trails are also accessible.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 4 tent sites and high demand
Site C7 is located right next to restrooms for convenient access
Nearly all sites have tent pads, picnic tables, fire rings, and space for vehicles
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Cherokee, NC: Take Newfound Gap Road (aka U.S. 441) North through the park into Tennessee. Turn left at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Follow Little River Road approx. 4.5 miles. Turn left at the Elkmont Campground sign and proceed 1.5 miles to the campground office. From Gatlinburg, TN: Take Newfound Gap Road (aka U.S. 441) South into the Park. (If coming from Pigeon Forge, take the Bypass into the park.) Turn a right at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Proceed 4.5 miles to the Elkmont entrance and
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Great Smoky Mountains National Park fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Great Smoky Mountains National Park before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Elkmont Group Camp cost per night?+
What season is Elkmont Group Camp open?+
Does Elkmont Group Camp have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Elkmont Group Camp?+
How do I make reservations at Elkmont Group Camp?+
What is the cell service like at Elkmont Group Camp?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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