My new hobby has become exploring campgrounds! Even when not staying there, (though I wish I had time to stay at them all!) if I drive by a campground and have a couple minutes to spare, I’m driving through and grabbing some information and a photo or two for this blog.

So, when on our way back to Gatlinburg from Cades Cove – after riding my bike for 11 long miles around the Cades Cove Loop – we pulled into the Elkmont Campground to get the scoop on staying here.

One of the camping sites at the Elkmont campground.

One of the camping sites at the Elkmont campground.

My first impression was that it was beautiful!  If you want to stay right in the Smoky Mountains themselves and be away from the hustle and bussel of Gatlinburg, this campground would be a lovely choice.  Many of the sites are riverside (The Little River) and the sound of the rushing water would be enough to lull even the lightest sleeper to sleep.

The sites are fairly spacious, (you won’t feel like your neighbors are on top of you) the ones we looked at were very flat, and they can accommodate trailers up to 32 feet, or motor homes up to 35 feet in length.

The only thing that might be a deterrent for some folks would be the fact that there are no hookups, showers, or dump stations.  There is potable water available at the campground and they can point you to shower facilities and dump stations just a few miles away. Generators are allowed on some sites, just be sure when you select your site that it is one that allows them.

Elkmont has a very special event that takes place annually for two weeks every June.  It’s the Synchronous Fireflies of Elkmont.  According to nps.gov, it is here that you can see “the only species in America whose individuals can synchronize their flashing light patterns.”  They do it as part of their mating ritual though it’s unknown why the fireflies flash synchronously.  The spectacle draws more than 8,000 visitors to the area annually, so if you are wanting to camp here during the month of June to see the fireflies, you’ll need to book your site months in advance.

Trying to catch dinner in the Little River at Elkmont

Trying to catch dinner in the Little River at Elkmont

Because the Little River runs right through the campground, there is great fishing to be had; or if you enjoy exploring the Smoky Mountains, some of the most popular hiking trails are within a few minutes drive.

A campground store is on premises which carries only the very basics, (Firewood is available.) but Gatlinburg is less than a ten minute drive away and you can get just about anything needed there, including a nice dinner in a restaurant… if you so desire! :-)

Even without the electric (although I might miss my air conditioner on the hottest nights) and shower facilities (a reason to explore the surrounding areas) Elkmont seemed to be a campground I would love to stay at.  If you’ve stayed here in the past, I’d love to hear your experiences.

Camping sites at Elkmont can be reserved at Recreation.gov.

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