Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Pavilion

Great Smoky Mountains

METCALF BOTTOMS PICNIC PAVILION in Great Smoky Mountains — photo 4

Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Pavilion

Great Smoky Mountains

About this campsite

Overview

Tucked in the mountains under a canopy of cool shade, this picnic pavilion creates a peaceful and secluded environment for visitors, offering the best of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Recreation

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, offering over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from the picnic area. But hiking is not the only reason for visiting the Smokies: Fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are also popular activities.

Visitors can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.

Wildlife viewing is a popular pastime, and with around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.

The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.

Facilities

Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Pavilion can accommodate up to 70 guests and offers a covered eating area and multiple grills, making it an ideal location for a party or family get-together.

The pavilion may be reserved for a morning or evening block, so visitors who wish to use the area for a full day should reserve both time slots.

Natural Features

World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian culture, Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park. Whether blanketed in bright wildflowers in the spring or vivid colors in the fall, the scenery at Metcalf Bottoms never disappoints.

At 1,700 feet, Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Pavilion provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural history of Southern Appalachia. From the prehistoric Paleo Indians to the early European settlements in the 1800s, the park strives to protect its historic structures, landscapes and artifacts that tell the stories of the people who once called these mountains home.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (865) 430-5560.

Nearby Attractions

Gatlinburg, a one of the Smokies' famous tourist towns, is located about 11 miles from the picnic area. Visitors tours, organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aquarium, skiing and more, are all offered.

Charges & Cancellations

Customers who cancel a day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will forfeit the total day-use fee.

Location

METCALF BOTTOMS PICNIC PAVILION•TN

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

TUE☀️

26° / 13°

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TODAY☁️

29° / 17°

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THU☁️

29° / 20°

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FRI🌦️

30° / 19°

💧 41%

SAT⛈️

24° / 19°

💧 77%

Common questions about METCALF BOTTOMS PICNIC PAVILION

Is METCALF BOTTOMS PICNIC PAVILION free to camp at?

Yes. METCALF BOTTOMS PICNIC PAVILION in TN is a free camp, so there is no nightly fee to stay. There is no booking system for it, so plan on first in, best dressed, especially on long weekends. We hold no facilities list for it, so go in self sufficient with your own water and a way to deal with rubbish.

Can you book METCALF BOTTOMS PICNIC PAVILION online?

We hold no online booking link for METCALF BOTTOMS PICNIC PAVILION, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season.

Where is METCALF BOTTOMS PICNIC PAVILION?

METCALF BOTTOMS PICNIC PAVILION sits in TN. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

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ELKMONT GROUP CAMP

Overview Situated in the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this site offers an ideal setting for group camping excursions and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. Recreation Visitors can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the nearby Little River and countless other streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from Elkmont Campground, including the popular Laurel Falls Trail, which leads to spectacular 80-ft. waterfall. The Elkmont, Little River and James Creek Trails are also accessible. Hiking and fishing are not the only reasons for visiting the Smokies: Picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities. With around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for a visitor to spot one. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy. The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park. Facilities Elkmont Group Camp offers four tent-only sites, accommodating anywhere from 15-30 guests per site. Modern amenities like flush toilets and drinking water make for a comfortable outdoor experience. Each site has picnic tables and fire rings with grills, creating the perfect atmosphere for family meals or late night s'mores. The campsite provides easy access to hiking trails, historical buildings, horseback riding trails and waterfalls. Elkmont Campground tends to book up during peak months but additional camping is offered nearby at the Cosby Campground and Cosby Group Camp. Natural Features Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park. At 2,150 feet elevation, Elkmont Group Camp provides a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural history of Southern Appalachia. From the prehistoric Paleo Indians to early 19th-century European settlements, the park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes and artifacts that tell the stories of the people who once called these mountains home. Elkmont is also known for its historical and cultural significance as a former logging community and summer resort getaway. Nearby Attractions Gatlinburg, one of the Smokies' famous tourist towns, is located about 9 miles from the site, offering organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aquarium, skiing and more. Charges & Cancellations Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.

6.5 km away

ELKMONT CAMPGROUND

Overview Located eight miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Elkmont Campground is the largest and busiest campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At an elevation of 2,150 feet, the area enjoys a moderate climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. Recreation The Little River runs through the campground offering visitors the option to camp waterfront. Campers can enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the Little River and countless other streams and rivers that snake through the mountains. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with over 800 miles of maintained trails ranging from short, leg-stretchers to strenuous treks, with a number of those trails easily accessible from Elkmont Campground. The nearby and popular Laurel Falls Trail leads to a spectacular 80-ft. waterfall. Hiking and fishing are not the only reasons for visiting the Smokies: Picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto touring are popular activities. With around 1,500 bears living in the park, it's not uncommon for visitors to spot one. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic organisms, the Smokies are the most biologically-diverse area in the world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy. The park also holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park. Facilities Elkmont Campground has 200 tent / RV campsites with paved driveways, gravel tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables. Although most sites will accommodate tents or RVs, extreme slope or length of driveway make certain sites more suitable for tents than RVs. Please check the descriptions and measurements of individual sites. In addition to these tent / RV sites, Elkmont has 20 walk-in sites for tents. Campers on these beautiful wooded sites will have a short walk from their parking area to their tent pad. Nine of Elkmont's campsites are wheelchair accessible ADA sites. These sites have wide concrete driveways, raised fire rings, and wheelchair accessible picnic tables. All of these sites are located near accessible restrooms. Three of the sites provide 5 amp electrical service for medical equipment. Restrooms at Elkmont Campground have flush toilets, cold running water, and utility sinks. Potable water is available at spigots near each restroom; use of hoses is not allowed. Elkmont Campground does NOT have electric, water, or sewer hook-ups. There is no RV dump/fill station at Elkmont campground. The nearest RV dump/fill station is located across from Sugarlands Visitor Center approximately 6 miles from Elkmont. Elkmont is strictly an overnight campground; there are no day-use facilities. The nearest picnic area is Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, west of Elkmont on Little River Road. Due to its central location and variety of amenities, Elkmont Campground tends to be heavily used during the summer vacation months and in October. Sites along Little River are in particularly high demand. Even when Elkmont is full, campsites are often available at Cosby Campground, located at the northeast corner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Natural Features Generations of campers have returned to Elkmont year after year, drawn by the sounds of the river, the tranquility of the forest, and the variety of recreational activities in the Elkmont area. Little River and Jakes Creek run through the campground, offering easy access for fishing or cool summertime splashing. Trailheads for Little River Trail, Jakes Creek Trail, and Elkmont Nature Trail are located adjacent to

6.8 km away

APPALACHIAN CLUBHOUSE

Overview The Appalachian Clubhouse is a historic building constructed in 1934 in the Elkmont Historic District. The structure has been rehabilitated by the National Park Service to closely resemble its 1930's appearance, with the addition of few modern amenities such as electricity and running water. The building was originally used a gathering spot by lessees and guests of the Appalachian Club whose members, mostly from Knoxville, built rustic cabins nearby to serve as weekend or summer retreats in the years before the Park was created. Today the 3,000 square foot clubhouse provides an excellent location for meetings, events and celebrations with the added charm of exposed wooden beams and massive stone fireplaces at each end, equipped with gas logs. Recreation Most visitors to the clubhouse host parties or meetings in the expansive, historic space. Although the clubhouse features a few modern amenities, it is still quite rustic in comparison to most venues and requires careful event planning prior to arrival. Tablecloths, tableware, projectors, screens, extensions cords, paper towels, etc. are not provided and must be brought by the renter. Visitors preparing for an event may not pin or tape decorations, balloons, banners, directional signage, etc. anywhere in the park. To ensure visitors arrive safely at the event location, provide guests with directions prior to their departure. Individuals wishing to reserve the Clubhouse for a wedding, wedding reception and/or wedding photography, will need an additional Special Use Permit and may click here for more information. Facilities The 3,000 sq ft. clubhouse features a large, open meeting hall (60' x 25') with french doors along the entire east side, opening onto a broad, roofed porch with rocking chairs, overlooking the forest and a small creek. There is no heating or air conditioning at the Clubhouse, but the Ballroom does provide four ceiling fans and 12 electrical outlets, in addition to an outlet in each room. The Clubhouse is furnished with 12 (60") round tables seating 8 people each, 8 (3'x6') rectangular tables and 110 folding chairs to go with them. A sofa and chairs at one of the fireplaces, provides a nice sitting area, but no other furnishings are provided. The Appalachian Clubhouse does not have a kitchen or cooking facilities like a stove or refrigerator, but there is a double sink with hot and cold running water and a warming kitchen (168 sq ft.) with 32 sq ft. of counter space. Six electrical outlets in the warming kitchen can be used to keep food warm and accommodate catering. There are no restrooms inside the main building, but accessible restrooms with cold running water, flush toilets, electric lights and hand dryers are located about 150 ft. from the building. Natural Features The Appalachian Clubhouse is located in the southern portion of Elkmont in an historic district referred to as "Daisy Town," between the mouths of Jakes Creek and Bearwallow Branch. The facility is surrounded by the lush forests and steep ridges of Tennessee's Upper Little River Valley, and provides no shortage of both scenic and historic attractions within walking distance of the clubhouse. Nearby Attractions Two popular trailheads: Jakes Creek and Little River, are located near the clubhouse. The adjacent Elkmont Campground offers traditional outdoor camping. Gatlinburg, a one of the Smokies' famous tourist towns, is located a short drive from the clubhouse, offering tours, organized rafting trips, museums, restaurants, galleries, an aqua