
Elkmont Group Camp
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
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As of October 2026, Elkmont Group Camp is a campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee with 4 campsites. Elkmont Group Camp is booked through Recreation.gov.
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- Elkmont Group Camp is located at 35.6594ยฐ N, 83.5864ยฐ W.
- people allowed on 2 of 4 sites
- 20
- people allowed on the largest site
- 30
Elkmont Group Camp reservations and next available dates
October 2026
Campsites at Elkmont Group Camp
- Tent 4
Amenities
- restrooms
- potable water
At a glance: Setting: Mountain.
Things to do: fishing, hiking, wildlife, horse riding.
All sites at Elkmont Group Camp, as listed by Recreation.gov
| Site | Loop | Type | Sleeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| GP02 | GROUP | Tent | 20 |
| GP03 | GROUP | Tent | 15 |
| GP01 | Group | Tent | 30 |
| GP04 | GROUP | Tent | 20 |
About Elkmont Group Camp
Overview
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.
Recreation
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. waterfall. The Elkmont, Little River and James Creek Trails are also accessible.
Hiking and fishing are not the only reasons for visiting the Smokies: Picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities.
With around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for a visitor to spot one. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.
The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.
Facilities
Elkmont Group Camp offers four tent-only sites, accommodating anywhere from 15-30 guests per site. Modern amenities like flush toilets and drinking water make for a comfortable outdoor experience. Each site has picnic tables and fire rings with grills, creating the perfect atmosphere for family meals or late night s'mores.
The campsite provides easy access to hiking trails, historical buildings, horseback riding trails and waterfalls.
Elkmont Campground tends to book up during peak months but additional camping is offered nearby at the Cosby Campground and Cosby Group Camp.
Natural Features
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park.
At 2,150 feet elevation, Elkmont Group Camp provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural history of Southern Appalachia. From the prehistoric Paleo Indians to early 19th-century European settlements, the park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes and artifacts that tell the stories of the people who once called these mountains home.
Elkmont is also known for its historical and cultural significance as a former logging community and summer resort getaway.
Nearby Attractions
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.
Charges & Cancellations
Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.
Rules and notices at Elkmont Group Camp
Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 28, 2026. Check Elkmont Group Camp on Recreation.gov
Notices from Recreation.gov
A valid parking tag is required for any vehicle parking for more than 15 minutes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Front country campers parked at their designated campsite will not be required to have a parking tag. If they park elsewhere in the park, a parking tag will be required. Please note that parking tags will be required for vehicles in excess of what is allowable for each campsite.
Over the last 10 years, an average of 339 negative human-bear encounters have been reported each year; many more go unreported. Visitors should be aware that high bear activity can occur in any area, and that your safety is not guaranteed. To increase your odds for a safe visit, please follow best practices for living and recreating in bear habitat. Stay alert and be prepared to react appropriately during possible encounters, and always report any unusual bear interactions as soon as possible.
Caution: Bears and other wildlife frequent the area. All food 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. All scented items, as well as all water containers MUST be stored. Dispose of garbage promptly in dumpsters provided. Unattended or improperly stored coolers, food and/or scented items may be impounded by campground staff. Violators are subject to fines.
Dispose of garbage promptly in bear-proof dumpsters. This rule is strictly enforced!
Firewood Restriction: Only heat-treated firewood bundled in its original packing and bearing a certification seal from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state department of agriculture may be brought into the park. This rule is strictly enforced. Campers may also collect dead and down wood in the park for campfires. For additional information about these firewood regulations, please visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/frontcountry-camping .
Heat-treated wood is available from a growing list of private businesses in communities around the park. Please visit www.nature.org/firewoodmap for a list of available vendors near the park. Concessioners at Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Smokemont will provide heat-treated wood for sale during their operating season. Certified heat-treated firewood is packaged and clearly marked with a state or federal seal.
A reservation is required to use a group camp. You must check-in with the campground office staff UPON ARRIVAL to complete your reservation. If you arrive after the office is CLOSED for the day then you must check-in with the campground staff the following day between 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. Failure to check-in with the office staff may forfeit your reservation.
There are no showers or electric, water or sewer hook-ups in the park. Some group sites are accessible.
Quiet hours are in effect from 10 PM to 6 AM. Generator use is prohibited in group camps.
Fires are allowed in fire rings only!
A minimum of 7 people is required for group site use. Maximum site capacity varies from 15 to 30 people. The park stay limit is 14 consecutive days.
A Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license is required to fish in the park. Special regulations apply in the park.
Pets are permitted but cannot be left unattended. All pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Pets are not allowed on trails.
For additional park information call 865-436-1200 or visit www.nps.gov/grsm
Elkmont Group Camp FAQ
How hard is it to get a campsite at Elkmont Group Camp?
Elkmont Group Camp is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.
How do I find last-minute availability at Elkmont Group Camp?
Cancellations happen frequently at Elkmont Group Camp, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.
How many campsites does Elkmont Group Camp have?
Elkmont Group Camp has 4 campsites.
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