Chilhowee Campground
Cherokee National Forest
Located in the Chilhowee Recreation Area, Chilhowee Campground offers a multitude of camping opportunities for both RV and tent sites, many with electric hookups. The day-use area includes McKamy Lake, a swim area with sand beach, picnic sites, a group picnic area, and a bathhouse.
Be Aware; Do not use GPS directions: GPS coordinates will direct you up Benton Springs Rd. This route is not recommended. We recommend using Forest Service Road 77 to reach the recreation area. It's important to note, this facility requires driving 7 miles up to Chilhowee Campground on a narrow, winding road. Do not use the Benton Springs Access Road to the campground as this is an unpaved and dangerous road for RVs. Inexperienced RV drivers may have difficulties getting to and around the site.
Picnic tables, grills, and lantern posts are located at each site. Bathhouses providing flush toilets and warm showers are available in each loop, as well as in the day use area. Water hydrants are located throughout the campground. An RV dump station is located at the end of E Loop. Loops A and B offer walk-in tent sites with electricity.
Be Aware; Do not use GPS directions: GPS coordinates will direct you up Benton Springs Rd. This route is not recommended. We recommend using Forest Service Road 77 to reach the recreation area. It's important to note, this facility requires driving 7 miles up to Chilhowee Campground on a narrow, winding road. Do not use the Benton Springs Access Road to the campground as this is an unpaved and dangerous road for RVs. Inexperienced RV drivers may have difficulties getting to and around the site.
Need to Know
Be Aware! Do not use GPS directions - GPS coordinates will direct you up Benton Springs Rd. This route is not recommended. We recommend using Forest Service Road 77 to reach the recreation area. It's important to note, this facility requires driving 7 miles up to Chilhowee Campground on a narrow, winding road. Do not use the Benton Springs Access Road to the campground as this is an unpaved and dangerous road for RVs. Inexperienced RV drivers may have difficulties getting to and around the site.
The campground is located on FDR 77/Oswald Dome Road.
Campfires are permitted in designated fire rings only.
Do not leave fires unattended. They will be extinguished.
Discharging firearms and fireworks is prohibited.
Pets must be on a leash and are not allowed on the beach.
No lifeguards on duty; swim at your own risk.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
The nearest restaurants and/or stores for purchasing supplies are about 14 miles from the campground.
Campground hosts are on site.
Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
Be Bear Wise: Never leave food out on tables or in the open. Store unattended food in bear-resistant containers, in a vehicle in solid non-pliable material, or suspend food at least ten feet off the ground. Remember to use the bear resistant trash receptacles provided at this facility.
Natural Features
The Cherokee National Forest is located in eastern Tennessee and stretches from Chattanooga to Bristol along the North Carolina border. The 650,000-acre swath of land is Tennessee's only national forest. It lies in the heart of the Southern Appalachians and is home to more than 20,000 species of plants and animals, as well as many rivers, creeks and lakes.
Nearby Attractions
In addition to the immediate local activities, world class whitewater rafting opportunities are nearby on the Ocoee and Hiwassee Rivers.
Recreation
Chilhowee Recreation Area is an excellent hub for hiking and mountain biking in the Chilhowee Trails System, fishing in McKamy Lake, and wildlife viewing without having to get in your car. The 7-acre McKamy Lake offers a swim area with a sand beach, and fishing from the bank. Boats are allowed, but gasoline motors are not. Within the recreation area are approximately 25 miles of hiking and biking trails, and a scenic waterfall. The views and lake are beautiful, especially hiking to Benton Falls via a 1.5 mile in and out moderate trail. On the drive up to the campground, stop at one of the many observation overlooks to see beautiful mountain settings. Wildlife is abundant in this area, so have your camera ready and tread lightly.
Chilhowee Recreation Area Map and Guide
Contact Information
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3171 Highway 64 East Benton TN 37307
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 423-338-3300
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
The campground is located on FDR 77/Oswald Dome Road.
Be Aware; Do not use GPS directions: GPS coordinates will direct you up Benton Springs Rd. This route is not recommended. We recommend using Forest Service Road 77 to reach the recreation area. It's important to note, this facility requires driving 7 miles up to Chilhowee Campground on a narrow, winding road. Do not use the Benton Springs Access Road to the campground as this is an unpaved and dangerous road for RVs. Inexperienced RV drivers may have difficulties getting to and around the site.
From Highway 64/411 intersection travel east 7 miles, turn onto Forest Road 77, drive 7.5 miles to campground/recreation area. Do not use Benton Springs Road for access to the mountain.
Available Campsites
- Site 19, Loop B Loop, Type Tent Only Electric
- Site 58, Loop F Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 34, Loop C Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 46, Loop D Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 53, Loop E Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 23, Loop B Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 48, Loop E Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 52, Loop E Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 20, Loop B Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 37, Loop D Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 29, Loop C Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 40, Loop D Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 32, Loop C Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 63, Loop F Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 31, Loop C Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop A Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 01, Loop A Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 16, Loop B Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 02, Loop A Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 44, Loop D Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 62, Loop F Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 43, Loop D Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 39, Loop D Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 61, Loop F Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 28, Loop C Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 25, Loop B Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 60, Loop F Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 36, Loop D Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 06, Loop A Loop, Type Tent Only Electric
- Site 50, Loop E Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 49, Loop E Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 09, Loop A Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 08, Loop A Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 38, Loop D Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 22, Loop B Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 05, Loop A Loop, Type Tent Only Electric
- Site 57, Loop F Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 56, Loop F Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 41, Loop D Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 07, Loop A Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 30, Loop C Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 42, Loop D Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 24, Loop B Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 11, Loop A Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 04, Loop A Loop, Type Tent Only Electric
- Site 27, Loop C Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 17/18, Loop B Loop, Type Tent Only Electric
- Site 45, Loop D Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 10, Loop A Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 14, Loop B Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 33, Loop C Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 51, Loop E Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 15, Loop B Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 55, Loop F Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 03, Loop A Loop, Type Tent Only Electric
- Site 59, Loop F Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 21, Loop B Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 54, Loop E Loop, Type Rv Electric
- Site 35, Loop D Loop, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
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