⛺ Campground

Elkmont Group Campground

Q: Do I need a reservation, or can we just show up?

Reservations are required - there are 0 first-come first-served sites. Book on Recreation.gov, where reservations open up to twelve months in advance.

Q: How big a group can we bring?

Depends on the site: Site #1 holds up to 30 people ($53.00/night), Sites #2 and #4 hold 20 ($35.00/night each), and Site #3 holds 15 ($26.00/night).

Q: Will we have cell service to coordinate our group?

No - there is no cell reception and no internet at the campground. Sort out logistics, print reservations, and download offline maps before you arrive.

Q: Are there bathrooms and showers?

Flush toilets are available seasonally, which is generous for a group camp. There are no showers - plan on cleaning up in town on longer trips.

Q: Can we bring our own firewood for the group fire?

Only heat-treated firewood in its original packaging with USDA or state certification may be brought into the park. You can also buy firewood on site in season or gather dead-and-down wood in the park. Fires go in established fire rings only.

Q: Is it safe to keep our group's food coolers out?

No - this is bear country. Food storage lockers are provided seasonally, and the park requires keeping 100 yards from bears. Assign someone to run the food-storage checklist every night.

Elkmont

Sites

RV Max Length

RVs and trailers are not allowed - this is a tent-only group campground.

Hookups

Dry camping only - 0 electrical hookups. Bring your lanterns and battery packs charged.

Showers

Overview

About This Campground

Elkmont Group Campground is built for one thing: getting your whole crew - scout troop, church group, or three families' worth of cousins - under the trees together in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are just 4 tent-only group sites, sized for 15 to 30 people, and every one of them is reservation-only through Recreation.gov. You get the useful stuff a big group actually needs: flush toilets, potable water spigots, food storage lockers, and firewood for sale in season. No RVs, no trailers, no cell signal - which, honestly, is kind of the point.

Highlights

Book If

BOOK IF: You're wrangling a scout troop, youth group, or family reunion of 15-30 tent campers who want flush toilets, water, and fire rings inside the park. SKIP IF: You have an RV or trailer (not allowed), need showers or hookups, or want a quiet private site for one family - book regular Elkmont Campground instead.

Site Types

Tent-only group sites (all 4 sites). No RVs, no trailers.

Nearby Attractions

Elkmont Campground sits in the same Elkmont area, and Daisy Town, the Appalachian Clubhouse, and Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse are among the park's historic sites; Laurel Falls is a popular waterfall in the park.

Family Friendly

Group sites holding 15-30 people are made for scout troops, youth groups, and multi-family trips. Flush toilets, potable water, and a seasonal camp host make it manageable with kids - just drill the food-storage routine early.

Best Time to Visit

Anytime within the late April-October 31 operating season your group can actually get a reservation - with only 4 sites, availability decides your dates more than weather does.

Camping Tips

Book the moment your 12-month Recreation.gov window opens - there are only 4 sites.
Match your headcount to the site: 30 max on Site #1, 20 on Sites #2 and #4, 15 on Site #3.
Don't move firewood - buy certified heat-treated wood on site or gather dead-and-down.
No cell signal: print reservations and download offline maps before you leave Gatlinburg.
No showers here - plan a shower stop in town on multi-night trips.
Use the food storage lockers every night. Bear country is not a suggestion.

RV Driver Intel

The Setup

Tent-only, so no rig logistics - the strategy is people logistics. Arrive with a site plan: who's cooking at the fire ring, where the 15-30 tents go, and who owns the food-locker checklist. No RVs or trailers are allowed, so carpool in regular vehicles from Gatlinburg.

The Vibe

Communal group-camp energy: 4 big tent-only sites, each hosting up to 15-30 people, so expect the happy noise of large parties rather than backcountry solitude. No cell reception means everyone is actually present - a feature, not a bug.

Bath & Laundry

Flush toilets available seasonally - a real win for a group site. No showers and no laundry on site, so pack accordingly or plan a Gatlinburg stop on longer stays.

What Campers Say

The word on the trail: this is the Smokies' go-to spot for big tent groups - simple, well-equipped for its job, and hard to get. Campers value the flush toilets, water, and fire rings; the trade-offs are no showers, no hookups, and zero cell signal.

Details

Campsite Information

Total Sites: 4

RV Max Length: RVs and trailers are not allowed - this is a tent-only group campground.

Hookups: Dry camping only - 0 electrical hookups. Bring your lanterns and battery packs charged.

Site Types

Tent-only group sites (all 4 sites). No RVs, no trailers.

Each Site Includes

Established fire rings at each site
Seasonal food storage lockers
Seasonal potable water
Flush toilets (seasonal)
Seasonal dump station
Amphitheater (seasonal)
Camp host on site in season.

Activities

Seasonal amphitheater for ranger programs, plus the group-camp classics: campfire cooking in the established rings and exploring the surrounding Elkmont area.

Amenities & Facilities

Campground Amenities

Showers: No showers on site. Plan on a creek-water face wash or hit a shower in Gatlinburg.
Restrooms: Flush toilets, available seasonally while the campground is open.
Water: Yes - potable water is available seasonally. Still smart to roll in with a full jug for camp setup.
Trash: Trash and recycling collection available seasonally.

Facilities

RV Dump Station: Yes, a dump station is available seasonally - though with no RVs allowed here, it mostly serves your portable gear.
Camp Store: Yes - a seasonal camp store with ice available for sale.
Firewood: Firewood is sold on site seasonally. STRICT rule: only heat-treated, certified firewood in original packaging may be brought into the park - or gather dead-and-down wood in the park. Don't move firewood.
Amphitheater: Yes - amphitheater available seasonally.

Utilities

Restrooms: Flush toilets, available seasonally while the campground is open.

Showers: No showers on site. Plan on a creek-water face wash or hit a shower in Gatlinburg.

Policies & Rules

Reservations

Recreation.gov - reservations are required, no walk-ups. (Booking: Reservations may be made up to twelve months in advance. With only 4 group sites in the whole campground, book the day your window opens.)

Pet Policy

No Pets Allowed

FAQs

Can I bring my RV or camper trailer?

No. This is a tent-only group campground - RVs and trailers are not allowed. If your group includes a rig, look at the park's other campgrounds instead.

Do I need a reservation, or can we just show up?

How big a group can we bring?

Will we have cell service to coordinate our group?

Are there bathrooms and showers?

Can we bring our own firewood for the group fire?

Is it safe to keep our group's food coolers out?

📖 National Park Service — Great Smoky Mountains National Park fees, hours & conditions (checked 2026-07-05) 📖 Climate data: Newfound Gap, Tn Us, 5,040 ft (NOAA 1991-2020 normals, station USC00406500) 📝 YourNPGuide Editorial

Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works →

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