Reach Elkmont Historic District by taking Little River Road to Elkmont Road, then park near Jakes Creek or Little River.
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A wrong map pin can send you to Elkmont Campground instead of the preserved cabins. The simplest answer for how to get to Elkmont Ghost Town is to drive into Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg or Townsend, turn onto Elkmont Road from Little River Road, and continue past the campground.
The destination commonly called Elkmont Ghost Town is officially Elkmont Historic District. Daisy Town, the Appalachian Clubhouse, old foundations, stone chimneys, and the Jakes Creek and Little River trailheads are spread across the historic area.
Which Map Pin Gets You To The Right Place?
Elkmont Historic District is the most useful destination name for general visits. Jakes Creek Trailhead provides a more precise pin for the preserved Daisy Town cabins and Appalachian Clubhouse.
Download an offline map before entering the park because cellular coverage is limited. A search for Elkmont alone may select the campground, an old settlement label, or another point that does not place you beside the historic buildings.
- For Daisy Town: use Jakes Creek Trailhead or Appalachian Clubhouse.
- For riverside ruins and hiking: use Little River Trailhead.
- For camping: use Elkmont Campground, which is a separate destination.
Elkmont has no gate ticket or timed-entry reservation. Paid listings, when available, relate to organized outings in the wider Smokies rather than admission to Daisy Town:
Getting To Elkmont Ghost Town From Gatlinburg
The Gatlinburg route follows US 441 into the national park, Little River Road west from Sugarlands Visitor Center, and Elkmont Road south to the campground and historic district. Allow roughly 25 to 35 minutes from central Gatlinburg when traffic is moving normally.
- Leave downtown Gatlinburg on US 441 South toward Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- At Sugarlands Visitor Center, turn right onto Little River Road toward Cades Cove.
- Continue west for about 5 miles to the signed Elkmont Campground turn.
- Turn left onto Elkmont Road and remain on the paved road.
- Pass the main campground area and follow signs toward Jakes Creek or Little River Trailhead.
Drivers coming from Pigeon Forge use US 441 South through Gatlinburg and join the same route. Traffic through Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg can add substantial time on summer weekends, October foliage days, and holiday periods.
Reaching Elkmont From Townsend
Townsend reaches Elkmont from the west by following TN 73 East, which becomes Little River Road inside the national park. The Elkmont Road turn is on the right when approaching from Townsend.
Follow signs toward Gatlinburg rather than entering Cades Cove. After passing Metcalf Bottoms and continuing beside the Little River, turn right at the signed entrance for Elkmont Campground. Continue beyond the campground for the historic district parking areas.
There is no regular public transportation into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A taxi or prearranged driver may provide a drop-off, but weak phone service makes an on-demand return pickup unreliable. Confirm the return plan before entering the park.
Elkmont Access And Parking Costs
Elkmont has free day access, but vehicles parked for longer than 15 minutes need a Great Smoky Mountains parking tag. The tag is tied to one license plate and does not reserve a space.
| Access Item | What It Covers | Current Cost |
|---|---|---|
| National park entrance | Entry to Great Smoky Mountains National Park | $0 |
| Elkmont Historic District | Daisy Town grounds and public historic areas | $0 |
| Self-guided NPS App tour | Historic interpretation for Daisy Town | $0 |
| Daily parking tag | One vehicle through 11:59 p.m. on the printed date | $5 |
| Weekly parking tag | One vehicle for seven days | $15 |
| Annual parking tag | One vehicle for 12 months from the purchase month | $40 |
| Stop of 15 minutes or less | Brief parking without a tag | $0 |
Do You Need A Parking Tag?
A Great Smoky Mountains parking tag is required when a vehicle remains parked for more than 15 minutes. Daily, weekly, and annual rates are listed on the official Great Smoky Mountains parking-tag page.
Buy the tag before reaching Elkmont because the trailhead lots do not have payment machines. Sugarlands Visitor Center sells tags and has a year-round payment machine, making it the convenient stop on the route from Gatlinburg.
Online daily and weekly tags must be printed before arrival; a phone image is not accepted. Rental-car users should wait until they know the vehicle’s license plate number because each tag must match the displayed plate.
Parking At Jakes Creek Or Little River
Jakes Creek Trailhead is the more direct parking choice for Daisy Town, while Little River Trailhead suits visitors adding a riverside walk. The two parking areas are connected through a short one-way road section.
Parking can fill during busy mornings and fall weekends, and purchasing a tag does not hold a space. Arriving earlier in the day reduces the chance of circling the one-way section or waiting for another vehicle to leave.
Road note: Little River Road is paved, but mountain curves, wildlife, fog, storms, and slow traffic can extend the drive. Check park conditions before leaving town.
What You Will Find After Parking
Daisy Town contains preserved vacation homes built between 1910 and 1935, along with the Appalachian Clubhouse and traces of Elkmont’s logging and resort eras. Several buildings can be viewed from close range, and public interiors may be entered when open.
Elkmont is a protected historic district rather than a commercial haunted attraction. Obey closure signs, stay outside fenced structures, and leave historic materials where they are.
The walk from the Jakes Creek parking area to the cabin row is short, but the ground can include gravel, roots, steps, and uneven surfaces. Seasonal restrooms are available near Elkmont Campground, not beside every historic structure.
Where To Stay Near Elkmont
Gatlinburg is the practical base for the shortest drive, more dining choices, and easy access to Sugarlands Visitor Center. Townsend offers a quieter approach from the west and works well when Elkmont is paired with Metcalf Bottoms or Cades Cove.
Compare lodging around Gatlinburg before selecting a base for the park:
A Reliable Arrival Plan
The simplest arrival plan is to start from Gatlinburg, collect a parking tag at Sugarlands Visitor Center, drive west on Little River Road, turn left onto Elkmont Road, and park at Jakes Creek Trailhead. No admission ticket or day-visit reservation is needed for Elkmont Historic District.
- Shortest approach: Gatlinburg through Sugarlands Visitor Center.
- Quieter western approach: Townsend along Little River Road.
- Correct parking for Daisy Town: Jakes Creek Trailhead.
- Correct parking for a river walk: Little River Trailhead.
- Required purchase: a parking tag for stays longer than 15 minutes.
- Before departure: save an offline map and check current road conditions.
References & Sources
- National Park Service.“Fees & Passes.”Lists current Great Smoky Mountains parking-tag rules, rates, purchasing methods, and display requirements.