fees, RV limits, trails & mountain biking

Chilhowee Campground

USDA Forest Service campground in Cherokee National Forest, near Benton, Tennessee.

Not publishednightly fee (check Recreation.gov)
59overnight sites
Reservablebooking
Not statedseason (agency text)
90 ftmax RV/trailer length
20named USFS/NPS trails within 5 mi (25.9 mi)
1.0 mibike trails within 5 mi

How it compares

  • With 59 sites it is the #18 largest of 84 Tennessee campgrounds that publish a site count.
  • There are 18 other campgrounds in our data within 25 miles.
  • 32% of Tennessee campgrounds that publish a length limit accept a rig this long (90 ft).
  • Electric sites go up to 50 amp service (33 electric sites).
  • 100% of sites with a shade rating are listed as shaded or partly shaded.
  • Pets allowed on 59 of 59 sites; campfires allowed on 58 (subject to seasonal fire bans).
  • Straight-line distance: Chattanooga ~40 mi, Knoxville ~68 mi, Asheville ~120 mi.

Site mix

Tent-only11
RV-only48
Electric33

Amenities & rules

GrillsLantern postsPicnic tablesPets allowedTentsRVs/trailers

Trails within 5 miles

TrailClosest pointMapped miles within 5 miSource
Azalea Hiking Trail0.1 mi1.5USFS
Mckamy Lake Trail0.2 mi0.4USFS
Chilhowee Forest Walk0.3 mi0.3USFS
Benton Falls Hiking Trails0.3 mi1.3USFS
Beach0.3 mi0.4USFS
Elderberry0.3 mi0.4USFS
Clear Creek Trail0.4 mi4.3USFS
Arbutus Hiking Trail0.4 mi0.6USFS
Gazebo0.4 mi0.4USFS
Naked Widow Loop0.4 mi1.3USFS
Red Leaf0.7 mi0.2USFS
Slickrock Loop Bike Trail0.9 mi1.5USFS

+ 8 more named trails.

Mountain biking nearby

1.0 miles of bike-legal trail lie within 5 miles. Difficulty mix: Unrated: 1.0 mi

TrailClosest pointMiles within 5 miDifficulty (as tagged)KidsSource
McKamy Lake Trail0.2 mi0.6UnratedOSM
Forest Walk0.3 mi0.4UnratedOSM

Ratings come only from OpenStreetMap mtb:scale / IMBA tags. Untagged trails show as "Unrated", and we never guess. Check conditions and maps on Trailforks or MTB Project.

Activities listed

Accessible SwimmingAuto TouringBikingBoatingCampingCanoeingFire Lookouts/cabins OvernightFishingHikingHorse CampingHorseback RidingInterpretive ProgramsKayakingMountain BikingOff Highway VehiclePicnickingRaftingRecreational VehiclesRiver TripsScenic DriveSwimmingVisitor CenterWater AccessWhitewater Rafting

Nearest campgrounds

CampgroundMilesStateFee/nightSitesHookupsMax RVPetsBookingTrails ≤5 mi
Chilhowee Group Camp
Cherokee National Forest
0.0TN$8— — —— Reserve20 (25.9 mi)
Parksville Lake rv Campground
Cherokee National Forest
3.2TN—16 E 30A yesyes Reserve20 (35.2 mi)
Ocoee RV Park
Private campground
4.4TN—— — —— ?19 (27.3 mi)
Gee Creek Campground
Private campground
6.5TN—— — —— ?10 (25.8 mi)
Lost Corral Horse Camp
Cherokee National Forest
6.8TN—— — —— First-come11 (24.4 mi)
Lost Creek Campground
US Forest Service
8.0TNFree15 — —— ?6 (40.7 mi)

Hookups: E = electric (max amps), W = water, S = sewer. "—" means the agency doesn't publish it. Trail counts are named USFS/NPS trails within 5 miles. 🟢 = kid-friendly (green-rated) bike trail nearby.

From the managing agency

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 dangerou… read the full description on Recreation.gov