Elkmont Is A Tennessee Ghost Town That’s Perfect For An Autumn Day Trip

Tennessee is a true colorful wonderland when it comes to the autumn season. Although the entire state explodes with orange, red and yellow, it’s the eastside that really knows how to show out. If you haven’t been to the Great Smoky Mountains during the months of October and November, then your fall season is about to get an infusion of beauty…with a solid amount of creepiness, too. Elkmont is an abandoned logging town tucked away in the mountains that’s only accessible by way of a hike. Venture out into the crisp air of autumn for a hike unlike any other in the state. You’re bound to have a story or two by the end of it!

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The Great Smoky Mountains sure know how to show off when it comes to the autumn season. Bolstered by beautiful colors, it's truly a sight to see. From the craggy mountaintops to where they soften into rolling hills and streams, there's a view no matter where you turn.

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Even amidst such beauty there is great mystery. Whispers of old ghosts and their long forgotten stories filter through the trees, solidifying into one grand legend: the Elkmont Ghost Town.

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Now known as the Elkmont Historic District, this old logging town has gone through quite a reinvention in recent years. The long-abandoned town was once used as a logging town and resort village, but was abandoned along with the area long ago. It's sat completely empty since the early 1990s.

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Hikers used to be able to make their way to an entire abandoned town and wander the old spaces and places that had been left to the plod of time. The area was first settled in the 1840s, and was eventually utilized by the Little River Lumber Company.

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It was only later that Elkmont became an exclusive vacation community. It was known as the "Appalachian Club" and boasted the well-known Wonderland Hotel. It was only after the establishment of the highly popular Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the early 1930s that a problem was presented: folks had to relocate.

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By 1992, there were 70 buildings abandoned in the mountains. The Elkmont ghost town became a popular spot for hikers to visit, but it was also dangerous for folks to wander the decrepit homes. The National Park Service decided to preserve a total of 19 buildings and demolish others, so the town may look different the next time you visit.

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Forgotten places make for eerie spaces, don't they? Although Elkmont looks quite a bit different nowadways, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park Service is working to maintain the historic area for generations to come. You can visit the Elkmont historic district by way of Elkmont Road, accessible by way of the Sugarlands Visitor Center.

It’s a pretty incredible experience, to find yourself walking with ghosts in the Great Smoky Mountains. You can find more information about Elkmont and its future right here.

Once you finish up hanging with Tennessee’s ghostly history, check out the Dutch Maid Bakery in Knoxville!