Chilhowee Campground

$12.00–$30.00/night

3171 Highway 64 East
Benton, TN 37307

Overview

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.

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

Facilities

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.

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.

Camp site features

Across 59 camp sites:

Electric hookups: 33 of 59 sites
Picnic table: 58 of 59 sites
Pets allowed: all 59 sites
Longest RV: 90 ft
Largest party: 10 people
Power up to 50 amps
Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 3 PM, check out by 2 PM.

Reviews

420 reviews

5 stars

263

4 stars

106

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Jenna B

Loop:B Loop

Site:

Reviewed 8 days ago

Camp host was amazing and so helpful! Cleanest bathhouses I’ve ever used.

Darrell S

Loop:E Loop

Site:

Reviewed 9 days ago

50 is a nice campsite, very private and well laid out. Hosts are great and available if needed. It's a long drive back to town services so make sure you bring everything you need for your stay. Really nice trails from camp to the surrounding area.

Eric M

Loop:E Loop

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

This campground is amazing. Love the trails, the lake, the space between the campsites, the overlooks were all amazing. I highly recommend the gazebo at sunset!

Paul F

Loop:B Loop

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

This is one of our favorite campgrounds.

Amy G

Loop:D Loop

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

Wonderful hosts. Beautiful campground.

Dominic K

Loop:E Loop

Site:

Reviewed 11 days ago

We loved it. The sites were perfect size, the bathrooms were clean, the hosts were so awesome and friendly. There's plenty of trails and beautiful scenery as well. We were a little worried being our 3 year old 's first camping trip and he had an absolute blast. We will 100% be back!

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Popularity: Very quiet