Elkmont, Historic ghost town in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, US
The abandoned buildings and structures of Elkmont stand within dense forest, with 19 preserved historic buildings remaining from the original settlement.
Colonel Wilson B. Townsend established the Little River Lumber Company in 1901, transforming the area into a major logging operation with rail connections.
The Appalachian Club and Wonderland Hotel formed two separate social communities that shaped the development of Elkmont as a mountain resort destination.
Visitors can explore the preserved buildings and surrounding trails through the Little River and Jakes Creek areas, with parking available near the campground.
During May and June, Elkmont hosts a natural phenomenon where thousands of fireflies synchronize their light patterns in a coordinated display.
Location: Sevier County
GPS coordinates: 35.65370,-83.58044
Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:10
Tennessee offers a notable mix of geological formations and historical sites that document different periods of American history. The state extends from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River in the west, encompassing extensive cave systems, waterfalls, and forested areas. Underground attractions include The Lost Sea Adventure near Sweetwater, one of the largest underground lakes in America, and Tuckaleechee Caverns near Townsend with its flowstone formations. Ruby Falls in Chattanooga takes visitors 1,100 feet (335 m) below ground to an underground waterfall. The state's natural parks protect waterfalls of varying size and accessibility. Fall Creek Falls near Spencer drops 256 feet (78 m) and ranks among the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. Burgess Falls and Cummins Falls offer hiking trails to cascades, while Ozone Falls is accessible directly from the roadside. Big South Fork National River includes gorges and whitewater sections in the Cumberland Plateau. Historical sites document the Civil War through battlefields like Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and through preserved structures such as the Carter House in Franklin. Belle Meade Plantation near Nashville shows life on a 19th-century horse farm, while Chucalissa Archaeological Museum presents pre-Columbian settlements of the Mississippian culture.
Alum Cave Trail
12.3 km
Chimney Tops
9.7 km
Laurel Falls Trail
2 km
Gatlinburg Space Needle
8.5 km
Walker Sisters Place
6.3 km
Noah Ogle Place
8.8 km
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
9.1 km
Silers Bald
9.9 km
Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers
9.9 km
Little Greenbrier School
6.3 km
John Ownby Cabin
5 km
Bullhead Trail
9.7 km
Mayna Treanor Avent Studio
1.8 km
The Sinks
7.6 km
Sugarland Mountain Trail
11.9 km
Alex Cole Cabin
5.4 km
Anakeesta
9.2 km
Perry's Camp
9.3 km
Meigs Mountain Trail
2.8 km
Headquarters Bridge
5.5 km
Headquarters Building
5.4 km
Roaring Fork Historic District
11.1 km
Sugarlands Visitor Center
5.3 km
Alfred Reagan Tub Mill
11.3 km
David Crockett Theatre
8.9 km
Ephraim Bales Cabin
11.1 km
Derrick Knob Shelter
11.2 km
Alfred Reagan House
11.3 kmReviews
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