Elkmont Historic District

The state park was there. The people were made to leave by the park. Sad. But I had wonderful memories and the history section above missed the most important historical cabin in my opinion is the Avent Cabin the most hidden and beautiful cabin up there. If you can find it, (Goggle) Please enjoy where I spent my childhood summer's. Tearful, happy memories.

This is actually a very cool thing to see, it is like people just got up and left their town and a state park was built around it! I would recommend it.

I live in Knoxville, and I love venturing out to Elkmont and exploring the grounds. It's amazing!

This place is so creepy! Right by Elkmont is a whole street of abandoned cabins you can roam through. Feels like a ghost town deep in the woods!

This is by far my favorite abandoned spot, however I would like to mention that the wonderland hotel burned down over the summer, and with the recent fires In the park I don't know how much is left. If anyone does know and could tell me that would be great.

Back in April of 2012, my husband and I had the first wedding held at the refurbished Appalachian Clubhouse since its hay day. It was beautiful we said our vows right in front of one of its two stone fireplaces. Afterwards our families enjoyed hiking and exploring the abandoned grounds. i have many pictures of the inside if anyone is interested.

Easy find, lots of signs and a parking lot right next to it. It’s in great condition, and they’re working on fixing some of them up. Bathrooms were still closed for the season in mid March FYI!

I grew up going to the smokys every summer from 1974 to around 1989. And people were staying in the homes then. My brother new one of the guys. Or met him there. He said his family inherited it. Now the park plans to refurbish some bc they are registered landmarks. I was just there sept 30, 2014 and drove up to it to reminise, well it is spooky; no one. But as a 7 year old child. All of the kids on the campground in the 70's hung out by them. Went in one. Anyway. Just saying my experience w it.

Elkmont features the remnants of an old Appalachian community. You can see all sorts of old abandoned railroad odds and ends.

For a really awesome experience, go the first week of June to see the synchronized lightning bugs dance and mate. It used to be a thing only insiders knew about, but now the park allows 1000 people a night to come check it out. These nights get booked up immediately, so stay on top of it if you are interested!

Thanks Clayton and Smoky Mountain Guides for all the stories and info!

We drove six hours to see the Wonderland Hotel and the abandoned summer homes. Totally worth it! Loved it! The first ranger we spoke to told us it had all been torn down and did not exist. The second ranger we spoke to helped us locate the easy-to-miss stone steps in the hillside just before you get to Elkmont campground. We followed them up through the woods and hit pay dirt! Fantastic! Maybe a dozen buildings in all in various stages of decay and dereliction. Few paths - come ready to forge your own way through forest. We spent half a day climbing over fallen trees and exploring the buildings. Up the road beyond the campground is the sanitized version, Daisy Village, a street full of abandoned summer homes that have been mostly cleaned up and vacant for your viewing pleasure but not nearly as interesting and fun as the hidden Wonderland Hotel and environs which is totally untouched. We got there at 9am and had it to ourselves until around noon. By afternoon there were maybe 4-5 groups. Get there early!