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Chilhowee Campground in Tennessee
Moderate to BookNational Forest

Chilhowee Campground

Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee

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As of October 2026, Chilhowee Campground is a campground in Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee with 59 campsites. Chilhowee Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Chilhowee Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Chilhowee Campground is located at 35.1538° N, 84.6091° W.
people allowed on 58 of 59 sites
5
people allowed on the largest site
10

Chilhowee Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

  • Maximum stay: 13 nights

Published by Recreation.gov for Chilhowee Campground, read on September 30, 2026.

Campsites at Chilhowee Campground

  • RV 48
  • Tent 11
  • Hookups 33

What an RV fits

  • 20–24 ft1 site
  • 35–39 ft1 site
  • 40–44 ft3 sites
  • 45–49 ft1 site
  • 50–54 ft3 sites
  • 55–59 ft3 sites
  • 60–64 ft4 sites
  • 65–69 ft8 sites
  • 70–74 ft7 sites
  • 75–79 ft6 sites
  • 80–84 ft5 sites
  • 85–89 ft3 sites
  • 90–94 ft3 sites

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • showers
  • potable water
  • dump station

At a glance: Setting: Mountain · Access: Paved road.

Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife, photography.

All sites at Chilhowee Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

SiteLoopTypeSleepsMax RVHookups
01A LoopRV540 ftElectric
02A LoopRV538 ftElectric
03A LoopTent5-Electric
04A LoopTent5-Electric
05A LoopTent5-Electric
06A LoopTent5-Electric
07A LoopRV560 ftElectric
08A LoopRV520 ftElectric
09A LoopRV590 ftElectric
10A LoopRV590 ftElectric
11A LoopRV585 ftElectric
12A LoopRV545 ftElectric
14B LoopRV570 ftElectric
15B LoopRV570 ftElectric
16B LoopRV575 ftElectric
17/18B LoopTent10-Electric
19B LoopTent5-Electric
20B LoopRV540 ftElectric
21B LoopRV555 ftElectric
22B LoopRV560 ftElectric
23B LoopRV565 ftElectric
24B LoopRV580 ftElectric
25B LoopRV575 ftElectric
27C LoopRV570 ft-
28C LoopRV555 ft-
29C LoopRV565 ft-
30C LoopRV565 ft-
31C LoopRV575 ft-
32C LoopTent5--
33C LoopTent5--
SiteLoopTypeSleepsMax RVHookups
34C LoopTent5--
35D LoopTent5--
36D LoopRV570 ft-
37D LoopRV550 ft-
38D LoopRV570 ft-
39D LoopRV570 ft-
40D LoopRV590 ft-
41D LoopRV580 ft-
42D LoopRV580 ft-
43D LoopRV575 ft-
44D LoopRV540 ft-
45D LoopRV550 ft-
46D LoopRV560 ft-
48E LoopRV565 ftElectric
49E LoopRV585 ftElectric
50E LoopRV565 ftElectric
51E LoopRV580 ftElectric
52E LoopRV555 ftElectric
53E LoopRV585 ftElectric
54E LoopRV570 ftElectric
55F LoopRV565 ftElectric
56F LoopRV575 ftElectric
57F LoopRV565 ft-
58F LoopRV565 ft-
59F LoopRV580 ft-
60F LoopRV575 ft-
61F LoopRV550 ft-
62F LoopRV560 ft-
63F LoopTent5-Electric

About Chilhowee Campground

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.

Rules and notices at Chilhowee Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Chilhowee Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

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.

Chilhowee Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Chilhowee Campground?

Chilhowee Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 59 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Chilhowee Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Chilhowee Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Chilhowee Campground have?

Chilhowee Campground has 59 campsites.

More campgrounds in Cherokee National Forest

Same forest, same drive. Set an alert on any of them alongside this one.

All 22 Cherokee National Forest campgrounds

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