Elkmont Ghost Town: The Former Vacation Town In The Smoky Mountains That You Can Still Visit

Hidden within forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Elkmont Ghost Town reminds of a bygone era.

This former resort community, also known as Daisy Town, offers a glimpse into the area’s recent history.

We recently visited it again for some new pictures, and updated info on Elkmont’s fascinating past, how to find it, and what you can discover there.

The Rise and Fall of Elkmont

Elkmont’s story begins in the late 1800s with the arrival of the Little River Lumber Company.

As logging operations expanded, the company built a railroad to transport timber.

Recognizing the area’s natural beauty, they soon pivoted to promoting tourism.

In 1910, the Appalachian Club was formed, and wealthy families from nearby cities began building vacation homes in what would become Daisy Town.

The creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1930s marked the beginning of Elkmont’s end.

Most landowners sold their properties to the government in exchange for lifetime leases. These leases allowed them to continue using their cabins for decades, but by the 1990s, the National Park Service decided not to renew them.

The last resident left Elkmont in 2001, leaving the area frozen in time.

Getting to Elkmont

Elkmont is about 8 miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee. From Gatlinburg, take US-441 South towards the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Just before reaching the center, turn right onto Fighting Creek Gap Road (Little River Road).

Follow this road for about 4.5 miles until you see signs for the Elkmont Campground.

Turn left onto the campground road, which will take you past some campsites and over a river.

When you get to the campground entrance below, take a left turn towards Elkmont Nature Trail

The first parking lot that you reach is not the main buildings of Daisy Town, but where some of the old riverfront buildings were.

On our first visit, we parked here and walked the trail for a while before realizing the town was a bit further down the road.

If you stop here, walk down the easy trail (made from an old train railbed) to some of the riverfront building remains.

From this area, you’ll drive from the first parking lot up a hill to the Daisy Town parking lot.

Exploring the Ghost Town

As you step into Elkmont, you enter a world suspended in time.

The heart of the ghost town is Daisy Town, featuring a row of abandoned cottages along the former main street.

These structures, many dating back to the early 1900s, showcase the rustic charm of early 20th-century mountain architecture.

The National Park Service has restored several buildings, including the Appalachian Clubhouse and Spence Cabin.

You can walk through many buildings, as we did on this trip.

The Future of Elkmont

The National Park Service continues working on a long-term Elkmont management plan.

While some structures have been restored and others removed for safety reasons, many buildings remain in a state of picturesque decay.

more to see

Elkmont isn’t just about abandoned buildings. It’s also a great starting point for scenic hikes. The Little River Trail and Jakes Creek Trail both offer beautiful walks.

If you visit in late May or early June, you might witness one of nature’s most spectacular displays.

Elkmont is famous for its annual synchronous firefly event, where thousands of fireflies blink in unison, creating a mesmerizing light show. It’s so popular that you need to enter a lottery (or book an early campsite) to get parking tickets.