when will elkmont campground open

The Elkmont Historic District is a fun place to let the kids explore but be careful as one of ours caught a piece of glass in her Chacos and cut her foot a few years ago. I guess the close proximity to the attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are to blame. See our blog about this hike for more pictures and info about the fascinating history of these two places- You Go Sister! 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. I have actually turned around on the Newfound Gap road and given up because it was so terrible. While GPS directions may route you to Elkmont via Line Springs Road and Metcalf Bottoms Picnic area, RVs and towed trailers are NOT allowed over the bridge at Metcalf Bottoms due to a narrow bridge with weight and length restrictions. Be the first to add a note for Elkmont Campground! Fortunately there is a bypass around Gatlinburg. Reservations are required to camp in Elkmont Campground, which is typically open from mid-April to late November. Lottery applications may also be submitted by calling 1-877-444-6777, but only while the lottery is open from April 26 - April 29th at 8pm. From Gatlinburg,TN: Take Newfound Gap Road (aka U.S. 441) South into the Park. RESERVATIONS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! Table of Contentsshow Toured the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center in Townsend . All scented items (candles, soap, etc.) It is amazingly well-stocked though considering its tiny size, with not just wood and fire starters, but also items such as ice, bread, peanut butter, smore fixings, chili, bug spray, drinks (no alcohol), and basic camping equipment like tent pegs among lots of other things. It usually has bathrooms with running water but since they are doing maintenance on the sewer system they had porta potties. Cades Cove is notoriously the busiest area of the Smokies. and Tantrum Brewing Company. Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff. You'll turn here until you see the ranger station about 4 miles down the road. It does not, however, have heat or air conditioning; there is a room with ceiling fans and a as fireplace. Temperatures usually range from the mid-40s to the high-20s. It's really nice to set your chairs up and have a beer and just watch the river run. Dump station at Sugarlands Visitor Center; open seasonally. I have been able to buy wood sometimes and sometimes not. Sites are nicely spaced apart, and even though we weren't on a river, there were plenty of river access spots. These two historic structures have been restored and are kid favorites, especially the old schoolhouse). The trolley stops at Sugarlands Visitor Center and Laurel Falls trailhead before coming to Elkmont and then returning to Gatlinburg, taking 1.5 hours to do the complete loop. Walk to campsites B2 and B3. Many of the remaining structures have been preserved closely to their original appearance. . Ice and snowfall are probable, especially in the higher elevations. 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,. The Little River is a great place to fish for trout and smallmouth bass. 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. The campsites near the entrance to Elkmont get a lot of traffic as everybody from 200 campsites is entering/exiting. I wonder if this one is any easier to set up. Is Smoky Mountain National Park open in the winter? Lots of wild turkeys in the area. No phone sig However, there is one at the the Sugarland Visitor Center. 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. You will need a permit if you are over 13 years old and you can buy those in Townsend, Gatlinburg, or Wears Valley. It has 200 RV/ tent sites plus 2o walk in sites for tents only spread over 14 loops in the campground, labeled A-N. 17695 Broken Spur Dr is served by 22 transit routes. While most Elkmont residents' leases expired . The campground is also host to 20 walk-in campsites. The months with the lowest visitation tend to be in the winter and spring. The Clingmans Dome road closure lasts from December 1 through March 31. 4. The following campgrounds have on-site firewood sales: Park campgrounds are not gated. Historic remnants of Little River Lumber Company's logging camp and old buildings from the Elkmont resort community offer campers a glimpse of life at Elkmont nearly a century ago. The river sites in G and H loops (on the west side of the campground) can get some road noise from the Little River Road across the river from the campsites. That will end badly (personal experience talking here). 343 Elkmont Trl Unit 83-84, Cleveland, GA 30528. smaller lot. Its a basic campground. Or you can park at the picnic area at Metcalf Bottoms and walk the 0.7 mile long Metcalf Bottoms Trail to Little Grienbrier School. They look like my dogs chew toys. more. as well as all water containers, MUST be stored. Elkmont Campground with No Dump Station. Its close to great trails, the popular Cades Cove, has plenty of good restaurants, and its still close enough to Sevierville if you want to visit Dollywood or shop at the outlets. Campers come back surprisingly late, usually from a day out in nearby Gatlinburg, so road noise can last into the night. Nice ranger at check in. We have details, tips, and hacks to help you hike this spectacular trail, one of the most popular and iconic hikes in the Smokies. Half the size for half the price plus it's not the correct type. Elkmont is the largest, with 220 sites. more. Metcalf Bottoms is an excellent picnic area and has a trailhead to one of our favorite trails in the park, Little Brier Gap trail. Provided you are 21 years old and not being a nuisance (that means no keg stands), go ahead and crack open that craft beer by the campfire. Bagged ice is $4.97 in park. . Port o potties. This campground is truly amazing. . Weve got you covered. 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. Don't buy it at Marathon outside of park. If you arrive after the office is CLOSED for the day then you must check-in with the campground staff the following day. L4 and L5 are nice too, especially good if you need 2 together as they are pretty close to each other. Expert Answers: No, Elkmont Campground only has flush toilets, cold running water and utility sinks there are no showers. Short walk to the clean bathrooms. And that's a bit of what you'll find if you need to go camp shopping at Elkmont Campground! In fact, The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the busiest park in the nation. Map courtesy of OpenStreetMaps with my own additions. Definitely go for the G- N loops on the west side of the campground if you cant get a river front site. Elkmont Campground - Great Smoky Mountains National Park 3. Go 1.5 miles to the campground office. It is also only 20 minutes from Gatlinburg, a kitschy mountain town loaded with family- friendly attractions. We absolutely respect your privacy and do not share email addresses. The park service is finally starting to enforce parking regulations at Laurel Falls to prevent people from parking all over the road anymore. Elkmont Campground 434 Elkmont Road Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738 USA (877) 444-6777 Hours Open 24 hours today Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm Problem with this listing? The National Park Service recently announced that four historic buildings in Elkmont are now open to the public. This blog was originally published in Aug 2020 but was updated and republished in Nov 2022 with new pictures and information. RVs limited to 3 Getting there on an afternoon is slow because of Dollywood! So whats a local to do? and reservations. ", "Reservations required. The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. All scented items (candles, soap, etc.) You can put up hammocks as long as you stay within your campsite and dont drill anything into the tree. Bring soap and toilet paper. Example of specific campsite descriptions from recreation.gov website for Elkmont. The sites along the river are highly recommended -- seek those out. Campsites are $25 per night unless you are lucky enough to get a riverfront site and then they are $27 per night. The exact opening and closing dates change each year, so be sure to visit the National Park Service's Frontcountry Camping web page for the latest schedule. After that many of the cabins fell into disrepair. If you have mobilit On our June 2018 trip to the Appalachian Mountains we spent two wonderful nights camping at the Elkmont Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It has a glass bottom section at the highest point that reinforces all my instincts that people were not meant to be this high up. You can buy it at the campground store, as well as kindling sticks. 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. on the west side of the campground just over the bridge from the ranger station and are right by the ampitheater. This campground was our choice for our first night camping in our "new to us" truck camper. The river is about 10 ft down just beyond the edge of the tent pad seen on M6. Ours was not. Almost all of the campsites on the outer loop of the west side are pretty good but L1 is a fantastic site that is my favorite non-riverfront site. Please dont add to the growing collection of trash downriver and bring water shoes that fasten. I would bring real water shoes too as the river is rocky and not fun on bare feet. In the lower elevations, snows of 1 may happen, but only several times a year. Reset Check NOAAs website for a detailed weather forecast before you go so you have an idea of whats coming and then check the daily weather forecasts on the bulletin board outside the Ranger Station while you are at Elkmont and have 0 cell service. According to when most visitors come to the Smoky Mountains, the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains national park is during the months of June, July, and October. It is also ground zero if you want to see the amazing synchronous fireflies (or lightning bugs) light up the sky. 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. As it was off season, it was mostly empty. When Is It Open? August 3, 2022 by Hugo Warren Reservations are required to camp in Elkmont Campground, which is typically open from mid-April to late November. Please check the descriptions and measurements of individual sites. All you need to know about the most visited national park in the country. Great hiking in the area and the old resort town of Elkmont is not to be missed. 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. It also means it gets dark before sunset. It is the closest campground to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Empty trail up to Clingmans Dome at 8am on weekday in the summer. Not sure which one is right for you? Amenities Pet Friendly Reviews BringFido Guest Rating TripAdvisor Traveler Rating Elkmont Campground has received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 by 179 guests on TripAdvisor. Elkmont gets buggy so bring bug spray and citronella candles May- Sept. Little River and Jakes Creek run through the campground, offering easy access for fishing or cool summertime splashing. It is a 3,000 square foot facility with electricity, an open meeting hall, roofed porch with rocking chairs, and a ballroom with ceiling fans. Dispose of garbage promptly in dumpsters provided. Can you hike in the Smoky Mountains in January? In season, no walk0ins are allowed, and camping is strictly by reservation - go here to check availability and book online. 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.. Check Limestone Community Care reviews, nearby Elkmont, United States of America on Maps.me - offline maps for Google android and Apple Iphone and ipad Explored Elkmont cabins and did trails in that area. Kids must wear helmets on bikes. Cell phone coverage is a no for any service I have tried over the years- Verizon, T Mobile, AT&T, and US Cellular. more. Where can I shower near the Smoky Mountain National Park? Parks near 17695 Broken Spur Dr include Falcon Meadow RV Campground, Wonderland Ranch, and Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch. Solar was ineffective due to the trees and sun angle this time of year. First, be prepared. Elkmont is strictly an overnight campground; there are no day-use facilities. This is campsite F12. 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. The Elkmont Ghost Town used to be known as the Appalachian Club and was a vacation community. 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. The Wonderland Hotel used to sit right at the top of the steps here. 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. Pets are permitted, but cannot be left unattended. However, Clingmans Dome is effectively closed to vehicle traffic in the winter. It is up some stairs though. Then you have to circle the parking lot up there for an hour or more until a parking spot opens up. Camping World Continues Expansion with the Acquisition of Ashley Outdoors in Salem, Alabama. On a particularly sunny da Winter hiking in the Smoky Mountains is a unique experience for a handful of reasons. In addition to its many popular hiking trails, Elkmont is a great place for all ages to just walk around and explore. This is one of our favorite things to do in the Smokies, and we share all the details you need to know to enjoy this unique and fun experience. Go to recreation.gov website for Elkmont- https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232487. Please be really considerate if you arrive after 10 pm and try to set up camp. This area is sometimes referred to as the Elkmont Ghost Town because of the abundance of old, abandoned buildings. There are 4 group campsites for parties larger than 6 people (the max that can stay on one regular campsite). It was a long time before I tried again. 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. The walk in sites are grouped near each other- (B2, B3, and B4), (A5, A7, A9, and A11), and (B21- B36). Want a cabin with a view? 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. 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. Dispose of garbage promptly in dumpsters provided. You can drive a couple miles to Laurel Falls to get signal. Quiet hours are from 10 pm- 6 am and no generators between 8 pm and 8 am. The best beachy area is next to the main bridge leading from the ranger station to the west side of the campground (loops G- N and group sites). Many tenters (sadly in the rain). The climate in this part of the Smokies is not that different than the surrounding area, mostly because Elkmont is not at a particularly high elevation (only 2150 feet). The NPS set up Porta-potties.. we did not use them. TN The NPS website has more info about fishing in the park. This is the kind we like. Elkmont campground has 200 standard tent and RV campsites with paved driveways, gravel tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. We have switched all of our headlamps to the red kind now and it was absolutely worth it. Camping at Elkmont Campground is on a reservation basis. The nearest picnic area is Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, west of Elkmont on Little River Road. Front country campers parked at their designated campsite will not be required to have a parking tag. Fortunately, the good news is that you can bike or walk the loop without cars on Wednesdays from early May to late September. Campsite L2- you can see how the slope of the driveway makes it unsuitable for RVs or pop-ups. In addition to traditional campsites, the Elkmont campground is also host to some historic buildings most frequently used for weddings. No cell signal whatsoever. Potable water is available at spigots near each restroom; use of hoses is not allowed. These were converted to 20-year leases in 1952, and renewed in 1972. To 20-year leases in 1952, and renewed in 1972 Center ; open seasonally for! In Townsend coolers, food and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff are! This time of year not to be missed by campground staff at 8am on in! 10 ft down just beyond the edge of the cabins fell into disrepair kid favorites, especially the... 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Night unless you are lucky enough to get a riverfront site and then they are maintenance. 27 per night unless you are lucky enough to get signal to Laurel Falls get! A Great place for all ages to just walk around and explore '' truck camper town loaded family-...

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