Chilhowee Campground

Photo · US Forest Service

Not publishedStatus

ReservableAccess

61Sites

90 ftMax rig

The place

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. Keep reading

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.

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

The sites · 61

Loop	Site	Type	Max rig	Electric
A Loop	01	rv electric	40 ft	30
A Loop	02	rv electric	38 ft	30
A Loop	03	tent only electric	60 ft	30
A Loop	04	tent only electric	60 ft	30
A Loop	05	tent only electric	60 ft	30
A Loop	06	tent only electric	60 ft	30
A Loop	07	rv electric	60 ft	30
A Loop	08	rv electric	20 ft	30
A Loop	09	rv electric	90 ft	30
A Loop	10	rv electric	90 ft	30
A Loop	11	rv electric	85 ft	30
A Loop	12	rv electric	45 ft	30
B Loop	13	management	80 ft	30
B Loop	14	rv electric	70 ft	30
B Loop	15	rv electric	70 ft	30
B Loop	16	rv electric	75 ft	30
B Loop	17/18	tent only electric	60 ft	30
B Loop	19	tent only electric	60 ft	30
B Loop	20	rv electric	40 ft	30
B Loop	21	rv electric	55 ft	30
B Loop	22	rv electric	60 ft	30
B Loop	23	rv electric	65 ft	30
B Loop	24	rv electric	80 ft	30
B Loop	25	rv electric	75 ft	30
C Loop	27	rv nonelectric	70 ft	—
C Loop	28	rv nonelectric	55 ft	—
C Loop	29	rv nonelectric	65 ft	—
C Loop	30	rv nonelectric	65 ft	—
C Loop	31	rv nonelectric	75 ft	—
C Loop	32	tent only nonelectric	60 ft	—
C Loop	33	tent only nonelectric	60 ft	—
C Loop	34	tent only nonelectric	60 ft	—
D Loop	35	tent only nonelectric	60 ft	—
D Loop	36	rv nonelectric	70 ft	—
D Loop	37	rv nonelectric	50 ft	—
D Loop	38	rv nonelectric	70 ft	—
D Loop	39	rv nonelectric	70 ft	—
D Loop	40	rv nonelectric	90 ft	—
D Loop	41	rv nonelectric	80 ft	—
D Loop	42	rv nonelectric	80 ft	—
D Loop	43	rv nonelectric	75 ft	—
D Loop	44	rv nonelectric	40 ft	—
D Loop	45	rv nonelectric	50 ft	—
D Loop	46	rv nonelectric	60 ft	—
E Loop	47	management	70 ft	50
E Loop	48	rv electric	65 ft	50
E Loop	49	rv electric	85 ft	50
E Loop	50	rv electric	65 ft	50
E Loop	51	rv electric	80 ft	50
E Loop	52	rv electric	55 ft	50
E Loop	53	rv electric	85 ft	50
E Loop	54	rv electric	70 ft	50
F Loop	55	rv electric	65 ft	50
F Loop	56	rv electric	75 ft	50
F Loop	57	rv nonelectric	65 ft	—
F Loop	58	rv nonelectric	65 ft	—
F Loop	59	rv nonelectric	80 ft	—
F Loop	60	rv nonelectric	75 ft	—
F Loop	61	rv nonelectric	50 ft	—
F Loop	62	rv nonelectric	60 ft	—

SHOWING 60 OF 61 SITES

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

SRC · Rules verified against recreation.gov · 2026-08-24

Your representative

This campground sits in TN-03. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard