Can you reserve a site at Chilhowee Campground?

Yes, Chilhowee Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Chilhowee Campground have?

61 sites in total, of which 59 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Chilhowee Campground?

90 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Chilhowee Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Chilhowee Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Chilhowee Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Chilhowee Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Chilhowee Campground, Tennessee — 59 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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.

The facts

Season: 4/15/2024 – 11/12/2024 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
59 bookable sites
61 sites in total, including non-bookable
Vehicles up to 90 ft
Up to 10 people per site
Loops: A Loop, B Loop, C Loop, D Loop, E Loop, F Loop

Site types

26 RV Electric
22 RV Nonelectric
6 Tent Only Electric
5 Tent Only Nonelectric
2 Management

Amenities

Electric hookups
Campfires allowed
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits.

Book on Recreation.gov

61 campsites at Chilhowee Campground

Check-in 3:00 PM · Check-out 2:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Access	Max rig	People
01	A Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	5	🐾
02	A Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	38 ft	5	🐾
03	A Loop	Tent Only Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	60 ft	5	🐾
04	A Loop	Tent Only Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	60 ft	5	🐾
05	A Loop	Tent Only Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	60 ft	5	🐾
06	A Loop	Tent Only Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	60 ft	5	🐾
07	A Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	60 ft	5	🐾
08	A Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	20 ft	5	🐾
09	A Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	90 ft	5	🐾
10	A Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	90 ft	5	🐾
11	A Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	85 ft	5	🐾
12	A Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	45 ft	5	🐾
13	B Loop	Management	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	80 ft	5	🐾
14	B Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	70 ft	5	🐾
15	B Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	70 ft	5	🐾
16	B Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	75 ft	5	🐾
17/18	B Loop	Tent Only Electric	—	—	—	Hike In	60 ft	10	🐾
19	B Loop	Tent Only Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	60 ft	5	🐾
20	B Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	5	🐾
21	B Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	55 ft	5	🐾
22	B Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	60 ft	5	🐾
23	B Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	65 ft	5	🐾
24	B Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	80 ft	5	🐾
25	B Loop	Rv Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	75 ft	5	🐾
27	C Loop	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	70 ft	5	🐾
28	C Loop	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	55 ft	5	🐾
29	C Loop	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	65 ft	5	🐾
30	C Loop	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	65 ft	5	🐾
31	C Loop	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	75 ft	5	🐾
32	C Loop	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	60 ft	5	🐾
33	C Loop	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	60 ft	5	🐾
34	C Loop	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	60 ft	5	🐾
35	D Loop	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	60 ft	5	🐾
36	D Loop	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	70 ft	5	🐾
37	D Loop	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	50 ft	5	🐾
38	D Loop	Rv Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	70 ft	5	🐾
39	D Loop	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	70 ft	5	🐾
40	D Loop	Rv Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	90 ft	5	🐾
41	D Loop	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	80 ft	5	🐾
42	D Loop	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	80 ft	5	🐾
43	D Loop	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	75 ft	5	🐾
44	D Loop	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	5	🐾
45	D Loop	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	50 ft	5	🐾
46	D Loop	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	60 ft	5	🐾
47	E Loop	Management	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	70 ft	5	🐾
48	E Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	65 ft	5	🐾
49	E Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	85 ft	5	🐾
50	E Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	65 ft	5	🐾
51	E Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	80 ft	5	🐾
52	E Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	55 ft	5	🐾
53	E Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	85 ft	5	🐾
54	E Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	70 ft	5	🐾
55	F Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	65 ft	5	🐾
56	F Loop	Rv Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	75 ft	5	🐾
57	F Loop	Rv Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	65 ft	5	🐾
58	F Loop	Rv Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	65 ft	5	🐾
59	F Loop	Rv Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	80 ft	5	🐾
60	F Loop	Rv Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	75 ft	5	🐾
61	F Loop	Rv Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	50 ft	5	🐾
62	F Loop	Rv Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	60 ft	5	🐾
63	F Loop	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	—	50 ft	5	🐾

Getting there

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.

35.15375, -84.60912 · 35°9'13.5"N 84°36'32.8"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 89°F in Jul, down to 50°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	50	55	63	72	80	86	89	88	83	73	61	53
Low °F	29	33	39	47	56	64	68	67	60	48	37	32
Precip in	5.2	4.9	5.6	5.0	4.6	4.9	5.1	3.8	4.7	3.5	4.8	5.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 11.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Chilhowee Campground

Can you reserve a site at Chilhowee Campground?: Yes, Chilhowee Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Chilhowee Campground have?: 61 sites in total, of which 59 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Chilhowee Campground?: 90 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Chilhowee Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Chilhowee Campground.
Does Chilhowee Campground have hookups?: Electric.
Are campfires allowed at Chilhowee Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Chilhowee Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Chilhowee Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Chilhowee Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Non-electric sites (42 sites) - $12. Electric Sites (29 sites) - $20. Walk-in sites with electric (7 sites) - $15. Day use fees are $3 per vehicle per day.

Restrictions:

Food storage restrictions apply at all areas on the Cherokee National Forest. All food and beverages must be stored in an approved bear-proof container, your locked vehicle or hard-sided camper at all times unless being eaten, prepared, or transported.
Maximum of 5 people and 2 vehicles at each site.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Chilhowee Campground

Chilhowee Group Camp less than 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Parksville Lake RV Campground 3.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Quinn Springs Pavilion 6.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lost Corral Horse Camp 6.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
McKamy Lake 0.3 mi · Facility
Mac Point Beach 3.1 mi · Facility
Ocoee Scenic Byway 4.6 mi · Facility
Ocoee River Area 5.5 mi · Facility
Hiwassee River 6.8 mi · Facility
Hiwassee River Picnic Area 6.8 mi · Facility
Ocoee River 7.3 mi · Facility
Gee Creek Falls Hike 7.5 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 423-338-3300
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-18.

Chilhowee Campground