Tennessee has become one of the most popular states in the nation for outdoor activities, thanks to the beautiful stretch of the Mississippi River, the valleys and gorges of the Cumberland Plateau, and the craggy mountain peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s a beautiful place with a whole lot of surprises in store! Hidden in the beautiful expanse of Tennessee’s rural wilderness, the abandoned village of Elkmont remains a standing tribute to the vacationers of years past. Newly renovated for safety, it’s a great spot to visit if you’re looking to experience the eerie history of an abandoned mountain town.

Elkmont - Wikipedia
Elkmont Campground is one of the largest in the Great Smoky Mountains, and it's just steps away from the once-bustling small town of Elkmont.
Elkmont - Wikipedia
Here you can see Elkmont back in 1915, back when the logging boom of the early 20th century catapulted the local economy into a highly profitable space. The Little River Lumber Company used to operate in the area, and a railroad was built to connect the logging site to the sawmill out in Tuckaleechee Cove.
Elkmont - Wikipedia
Vacationers would take the train to the Smokies for beautiful trips spent in the gorgeous natural area, and the town of "Elkmont" became a go-to spot for wealthy Knoxville residents. The exclusive community boasted a handful of vacation cabins and a private club, as well as the famed Wonderland Hotel.
Elkmont - Wikipedia
Nowadays, however, the town of Elkmont looks quite different. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established in 1934, which disallowed residents to live within the park. Most folks in Elkmont chose to sell their homes to the National Park Service for a lifetime lease.

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Elkmont - Wikipedia
The last residents of Elkmont left in 1992, which left over 70 buildings in rapid stages of disrepair.
Elkmont - Wikipedia
Elkmont was a legend. It was a ghost town, a place hikers frequented to experience the eeriness of a town gone to waste. It wasn't until 2009 that NPS decided to preserve a handful of buildings to protect the history of the space.
Elkmont - Wikipedia
At the time of publication, six of the vacation cabins and other buildings have been restored, although 30 have been demolished for safety purposes.
Elkmont - Wikipedia
If you're looking to visit, you'll want to head to the Sugarlands Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Follow Fighting Creek Gap Road until you reach Elkmont Road, where adventure awaits.

If you’re looking for more fun vacation adventures in Tennessee, check out this neat river experience in the mountains.

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Elkmont Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA