Elkmont Campground

We stayed in site B29. This is one of the walk-in sites closest to the bathrooms, and quite a ways back off the road that loops through the campground. We were lucky that B28 (which is in front of B29 and much closer to the road) was empty, so we usually cut through it to get to our site, but if it had been filled, you can get to this site by walking up the path to the bathroom and then turning onto a little side path by the men's room. Be aware that it's quite a walk back to this site - I know it warns you when you reserve that it's 140ft off the road, but that 140ft seems a lot longer when you both 1) can't figure out where your site is and 2) are hauling all your stuff to it. The thing I liked best about this site is how remote it felt. There was one other group in our part of the walk-in area, but besides that, it felt very secluded. I normally prefer to camp in small campgrounds (fewer that 10 sites/tent only), so when we ended up booking at Elkmont, I was a little grumpy that we were staying in such a big campground. Aside from the drive into the campground (follow the signs to get to the walk-in sites), this part of the campground was quiet and felt much more remote than the map would suggest. We had maybe one night where a group near us was a little loud for longer than I'd have liked, but all the rest of the time it was quiet and peaceful, even being right next to the bathrooms. The site itself is quite large, and has a tent pad that's quite far off the ground (the front was maybe 4-6in tall, but the back was much taller). This means that, if you've got a large tent that takes up most of the platform, the first step out of the tent can be kind of tall, and if you're not paying attention in the dark, you can trip over the walls in the back on the platform. There's also a picnic table and fire ring at the site. When we were there, someone had dumped a bunch of charcoal next to the table, but besides that the site was clean. They do have a (very small) store at Elkmont, but it wasn't open when we checked it out. They do have ice and firewood for sale after-hours, though, which was nice; however, the price was something like $9.47, so we ended up rounding up to $10, since you had to put the money in an envelope to pay.

I went to the old, resort that is just above the campground. Which is abandoned at this point, but has been remodeled and restored. It is monitored and it’s nice to see and imagine how it would have been used in the past and how the club house at the end held parties and things to do. Which oddly enough the club house still holds events today, cause one was going on while we were visiting. It’s a nice walk and fun to explore and most of the houses are safe to go into and look around. Some are marked off cause they need repair. If you have the time it’s a fun free thing to do!

Elkmont in Smokey Mountain National Park is a well maintained primitive campground. The drive there is a winding mountain road but with the autumn leaves changing colors, it is quite beautiful. The camp sites have a level tent pad, nice fire ring with adjustable grate and are spaced far enough apart so you aren't right on top of your neighbor. The rest rooms are warm but you have to provide towels for drying your hands. There are bear proof trash receptacles throughout the campground. We didn't see any bears during our stay. I would camp at Elkmont Campground again. It would be nice to have showers, but there are none. Oh well, as a fellow camper stated, we just have to be "Stinky in the Smokies". There are many great hiking trails nearby too plus it is close to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge for a touristy experience if you like that sort of thing.

Stayed in tent area b22. The site was a short walk to site. It was quiet and generator free area. Bathrooms were clean and didn't have hand soap or drying system for hands. Be aware you need to buy a parking pass if you go anywhere in the park and will leave your car for more than 15min. Traffic in the park in late October was horrible. We just enjoyed the area. Gatlinburg is close if you want to go somewhere to eat. Very crowded, and touristy. I prefer to camp in less crowded areas but the smokies are beautiful. Tmobile service was ok in my spot.

First time in this campground but compared to some in other National Parks this one lacks greatly in some areas. The young lady at check in was very pleasant and helpful. The young man was rather rude. I understand that this is a National Park campground but leaving "nature" to over take areas of the camp sites is not a good policy. We had to wade through tall weeds to hang the registration tag on the site post. stepping off the site pad would put us in knee high weeds some of which seem to be poison ivy. The bathroom near us was not maintained or cleaned. If you have arachnaphobia, stay out of them. The forest and river are beautiful. There is no cell service in the campground, at least on our Verizon, so you do disconnect and comune with nature.