About Elkmont Campground
Elkmont Campground is the largest and busiest in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with about 210 sites, including 22 walk-in tent sites, along the Little River about 8 miles from Gatlinburg. At 2,150 feet, the climate is mild, and it fills in summer and in October. Flush toilets and drinking water are available, but there are no hookups or showers, and no dump station: the nearest is across from the Sugarlands Visitor Center, about 6 miles away.
2026 and 2027 dates
The Park Service lists Elkmont as closed from November 29, 2026 to April 3, 2027, so it is open through the Thanksgiving weekend this year. Reservations are required and open up to six months ahead on recreation.gov, at $30 per site per night. Sites along the river are the most requested, so book as soon as your window opens. Elkmont is strictly an overnight campground, with no day-use facilities.
Trails and the old resort town
The Little River Trail, Jakes Creek Trail and Elkmont Nature Trail start next to the campground. The Little River Trail follows an old railroad bed past chimneys and foundations from the Daisy Town and Elkmont resort communities. The Laurel Falls Trail is closed until sometime in 2027, so try Grotto Falls instead.
Synchronous fireflies
Elkmont is home to the park's famous synchronous fireflies. Viewing is by lottery only: in 2026 the event ran May 20 to 27, with a recreation.gov lottery from April 24 to 27 ($1 to apply, $29 if selected, for one vehicle with up to seven people). The Park Service expects the 2027 lottery the week of April 27. See the firefly page. The Park Service has limited access to the event to lottery winners and Elkmont campers, so confirm the current rules before you book.
Getting there
Elkmont is on Little River Road, about 5 miles west of Sugarlands Visitor Center. The nearest full groceries are in Gatlinburg and Townsend. Parking at your campsite is included. A parking tag is required elsewhere in the park, and federal passes do not replace it.
Good to know
- How many sites does Elkmont Campground have?
- 211 sites. Season: Seasonal. Closes Nov 29, 2026; reopens Apr 3, 2027..
- How do I reserve a site?
- Reservations for national park campgrounds are made on recreation.gov. Summer and October weekends book up early.
- Do I need a parking tag?
- A Park It Forward parking tag ($5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year) is required for any vehicle parked more than 15 minutes inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Entry is free, and federal passes such as America the Beautiful do not replace the tag.