Elkmont Campground packing checklist | Camp Check [Skip to content](#content) [Camp Check](/) [Map](/)[About](/about) Show more details [← Back to map](/) · [Search spots](/#all) Trip details · Elkmont Campground # Elkmont Campground packing checklist * Activity**Car camping** * Park**Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN** * Nearest**Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte, 7.7 mi** The Smokies’ largest campground, along the Little River near the old Elkmont resort cabins. Black bears are common. ## Trip details Elevation 2,150 ft Sites 200 tent/RV + 20 walk-in Hookups None; no showers Firewood Certified heat-treated only Best season Fall color, mid to late October (our pick) ### Source * [NPS Great Smoky Mountains: Elkmont Campground](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/elkmont-campground.htm) * [Recreation.gov: Elkmont Campground](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232487) "Our pick" seasons are our own call. ## Packing list Reset Ready to go: **0%** · you have 0 of 15 ### Before you go * **Check conditions.** Closures, weather and trail status change. Look at [NPS Great Smoky Mountains: current conditions](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm) the day you go. * **Tell someone your plan.** Where you’re going, who’s with you and when you’ll be back. [NPS: leave a trip plan](https://www.nps.gov/articles/hiking-safety.htm) * **Know when to turn back.** On hikes from camp, set a turnaround time to be back before dark. Never approach a bear. This list is a starting point, not a guarantee. Conditions change, so adjust it for your trip and your group. We earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. [Details](/about#affiliate) Check off what you already have. For anything you still need, there’s a product suggestion when we have a good match. ### Trip-specific: permits and hazards 1. **Food stored in a sealed vehicle**Recreation.gov: food, coolers, scented items and water containers must be stored in a closed vehicle. The park averages 339 negative human–bear encounters a year.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [Recreation.gov: Elkmont Campground](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232487) 2. **Certified firewood only**NPS: firewood must be USDA- or state-certified heat-treated. Buy it locally.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [NPS Great Smoky Mountains: Elkmont Campground](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/elkmont-campground.htm) 3. **Pets stay off trails**Pets aren’t allowed on park trails.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [Recreation.gov: Elkmont Campground](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232487) ### The Ten Essentials [(NPS)](https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm) 1. **Water**For hikes from camp, about 1 L per 2 hours.Need itHave it ![Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71x9VbJrhvL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz $17.99 on Amazon For hikes from camp, about 1 L per 2 hours. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N7V1QG/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) Source: [NPS Yosemite: hiking safety (1 quart every 2 hours)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hikingsafety.htm) 2. **Water treatment**Treat any stream water before you drink it.Need itHave it ![LifeStraw Personal Water Filter](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/610MT9qiRyL._SL1000_.jpg) LifeStraw Personal Water Filter $17.95 on Amazon Treat any stream water before you drink it. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QF3TW4/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 3. **Food and extra food**Pack trail snacks for hikes from camp.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. 4. **Navigation: offline map, map and compass**Download an offline map before you lose signal, and carry a paper map and compass as backup.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. 5. **Headlamp**For the dark walk to the restroom.Need itHave it ![Petzl Tikka Headlamp](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71sDmxdaMIL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Petzl Tikka Headlamp $34.95 on Amazon For the dark walk to the restroom. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDLSGR92/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 6. **Sun protection**Shady forest, but bring it for open balds.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. 7. **Insulation and rain layer**Smokies weather turns wet fast.Need itHave it ![FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/613vT-iXDWL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s) $22.74 on Amazon Smokies weather turns wet fast. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKCZOZC/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 8. **First aid kit**For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems.Need itHave it ![Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Tk3JSPj0L._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5 $31.95 on Amazon For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DV6PDY9R/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 9. **Fire starter and emergency shelter**Your car and tent are the shelter here. Carry a lighter and a bivvy on longer walks from camp.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. 10. **Knife or repair kit**For camp chores and gear fixes.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. ### Nice to have 1. **Camp chair**For evenings by the river.Need itHave it ![GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Smakj42EL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair $80.00 on Amazon For evenings by the river. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D4JYR62/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 2. **Lantern**Picnic-table light with no fuel.Need itHave it ![LuminAID PackLite Nova Solar Lantern](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61TVlossveL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) LuminAID PackLite Nova Solar Lantern $32.99 on Amazon Picnic-table light with no fuel. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0716JV1SG/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) Prices and stock checked on Amazon on Oct 18, 2026, and may have changed. ## Photos ![Campground hosts at Elkmont Campground](/photos/elkmont-campground-1.webp) Photo: [Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg, TN](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elkmont_Campground_Hosts,_July_2014--Warren_Bielenberg_\(26244963548\).jpg) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons ![The stone vehicle bridge at Elkmont Campground](/photos/elkmont-campground-2.webp) Photo: [Haas, David](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elkmont_vehicle_bridge_at_Elkmont_Campground,_galvanized_corrugated_arch._-_Great_Smoky_Mountains_National_Park_Roads_and_Bridges,_Elkmont_Vehicle_Bridge,_Spanning_Little_River_HAER_TENN,78-GAT.V,6S-1.tif) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons Coordinates **35.6588°N 83.5827°W** Elevation **2,150 ft** Park **Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN** Time now **UTC --:--:--** [](/spots/alum-cave-trail)[](/spots/old-rag)[](/spots/tuckerman-ravine)[](/spots/elkmont-campground)[](/spots/wildcat-canyon-starved-rock) Use two fingers to move the map **Affiliate disclosure:** As an Amazon Associate, Camp Check earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon links are affiliate links and don't change your price. **AI disclosure:** Pages are drafted with AI help and checked by a person against the linked NPS/USFS sources and live Amazon listings. Conditions, prices and stock change, so check before you go and before you buy. **Map data:** Elevation from [Terrain Tiles on AWS](https://registry.opendata.aws/terrain-tiles/) (Mapzen/Tilezen), built from USGS 3DEP and NOAA ETOPO1 data, among others. [About](/about) · [Sitemap](/sitemap.xml)