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Riverfront camping in the Smokies!
Amenities include:
- Pool
- Laundry
- Playground
- Basketball
- Store
- Firepits
- Bathhouse
From US 74 (exit 69): Go 2 mi N on Hyatt Creek Rd (SR 1190), then 1/2 mi E on US 19.
This place is slowly becoming a joke, their website claimed the pool was open but after arriving (and hearing other campers talk about seeing kids in the pool the previous day and early that day) we was told once that the pool was closed until it could be inspected and that the guy that normally did it had quit, then was told that water samples had been sent off and that they was awaiting to here about that and then that the inspector still needed to come out and inspect but they was going to see about calling someone on Monday (we arrived Saturday) about being able to open. Fast forward to Monday and we finally here it's open and are able to cool off (Temps in then 90s all week) but then spontaneously through the week we would find it closed unless the workers kids was using it. This campground has went downhill since the couple that owned it sold out. It could definitely use upgrades, like making the electrical safer in the bathhouse, I do electrical work and there is no way I would have done it the way they did. No water tight flex or weather proof box's, just metal j box's and wire coming out of connectors designed to secure conduit. Maybe one year it will get back to the old Ela that we enjoyed.
If I could rate owners/employees separately, I would give them 5 stars. The lady who took cared of us checking in is really nice. I do suggest before closing the office to check guests who are coming in late and make sure that the keys are ready by the cabin door.
Now, the 3 stars is based on my experience with the cabin and bathroom. We stayed in cabin #62. It's cozy and can fit a family of 5. On their website they mentioned bringing your own bedding, which we did. However, the mattress is really thin. I have stayed at other camping cabins and they have regular type mattress. At Ela's it is so thin that when you lay down the bed is hard and you can feel the wood underneath. It was uncomfortable the first night there, we couldn't sleep. We ended up buying a foam pad to put over it. So keep that in mind when booking. Also the bed creaks, I barely move and it's really loud.
The bathroom is okay. I didn't like that they keep the main door open all the time. Critters could get inside. The toilet stalls and shower only has curtains for privacy. It doesn't make me feel safe using it at all. The inside sink could be better with a counter. The outside sink for washing dishes is not very accessible. There were random pipes in front of it and I didn't see a working faucet.
I like the location of this campground. It's near Cherokee. It has a lot of potential and definitely needs improvement though.
The river is gorgeous. Too many cats was a downfall. The cabin was very clean. There was a coffee pot also. The women in the office were awesome. Bathrooms and showers were very clean. Pool was very clean and very cold. There is a dollar general right down the road. Very easy to get to. I will go back.
Stayed 3 nights here and really enjoyed it. Pool was clean, the campground was clean and the bathrooms were too. Larry was so sweet and interesting to talk to. Campground is convenient to Cherokee and the train depot in Bryson City. Definitely a campground we will go back to.
This place was filthy! The cabin was way beyond rustic. Mini tv broke no channels. Mini fireplace equivalent to 100 watt heater not 1500 watt and in mid November. The cabin would be fine rustic but not dirt and dust all over. And original slice of foam for mattress, really! Shower/ bathhouse disgusting. So nasty didn't want to use bathroom. Booked to stay over for 2 nights for Polar Express. We didn't stay. After reviewing our accommodation la and bathhouse went back to office to address the problems but office closed and no answer on phone. If you cared about your business you would have responded to my email I sent to you after driving back home for 3 hours. Please do not stay here unless they improve . Every other campground was full except Ela and we were the only ones there. We arrived late (5:15 pm ) for getting to polar express so we quickly checked in, went in cabin changed clothes and then stopped at office to address about not staying but nobody in office. Stopped to use bathhouse and that made our decision no way on staying in this mess. Immediately after polar express (6:30-7:00 ride) we returned. Still nobody in office so grabbed overnight bags and headed for home. Greatly disappointed!!!!! It ruin my trip with my daughter. Tried to find other accommodations but nothing really available so drove home. Arrived home around 2:00 am so exhausted next day from driving back under unbelievable fog and quickest route home was through Smokey mountain park. I tried contacting Ela Campgrounds twice before posting such a negative but true review. No response from them. Listen we have a rental cabin in pigeon forge that's beautiful and super clean with great mattresses etc. it's sad to think for only 60.00 more a night you could experience a getaway like it.. I would have gladly paid it to enjoyed and created wonderful memories with my daughter. Shame on you Ela Campgrounds for offering such poor accommodations.
