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Joel’s Journal:
Chilhowee Campground, Cherokee National Forrest, Tennessee
By Joel Raeber
Posted July 2011
 Chilhowee Campground, located on a mountaintop 1,780 feet above Parksville Lake in the Cherokee National Forrest near Benton in eastern Tennessee, is an ideal spot for enjoying wilderness. The campground is managed by the U.S. Forest Service so there are limited facilities for RVers. But if you are willing to forgo some of the comforts in the resort parks, and a steep drive, you can get back to enjoying nature.
There are more than 80 campsites in six camping loops; 35 sites are tent-only, and the others are available for tent and RVers. The campground has showers, flush toilets and drinking water. There is a picnic table, grill and lantern post at each site. All electric hookups are located in Loops A and B. The road up the mountain is paved, but it is also steep and curvy in places. Larger vehicles should probably avoid Chilhowee because of the drive up the mountain.
Most of the sites are wooded and offer plenty of shade and privacy. Some campsites in Loop A and B, which were constructed by the CCC in the 1930s, are open enough and easy for smaller RVs to maneuver.
The trip to Chilhowee starts on the road to the campground. Forest Service Road 77 is a Forest Service–designated scenic byway that climbs seven miles to the campground. There are several cleared overlooks to enjoy the view of Parksville Lake below and the mountains and valleys rolling into the distance. From Cleveland, Tennessee, take US Rt. 64 to Forest Service Rt. 77, the road up to Chilhowee Campground.
This campground is popular with families, many of whom return every year. Chilhowee usually fills up on weekends and holidays, so plan your trip in advance and get there early. In 2006, the campground gained notoriety due to a fatal bear attack. The bear was captured and euthanized, but campers are advised to be “bear aware.” This is wilderness camping.
There are several hiking opportunities at Chilhowee Campground. The 1 ½-mile Benton Falls Trail leads to the 65-foot Benton Falls. The area below the falls is flat but very slippery. It is popular on hot summer days for sliding in the pools. The site of a Confederate Civil War Camp is one-half mile from campground.
The Azalea Trail is a two-mile trek that begins in the F camping loop. It climbs the ridge above the campground to connect with the Clear Creek trail, or you can continue back to the campground. The Clear Creek trail takes hikers to the Rock Creek Falls Scenic Area about five miles away.
McKamey Lake near the campground is seven acres and is accessible for fishing and boating (electric motors only). The lake is stocked with rainbow trout, bluegill and small and largemouth bass. There is a small sand beach for swimming also.
US highway 64 follows the Ocoee River for part of its course below Chilhowee Campground. The Ocoee was used for the 1996 Olympic Whitewater events, and it is still a popular rafting, canoeing and kayaking location. There are several outfitters available for getting you in the water.
For another kind of fun, Ocoee River Canopy Adventure offers a zip-line tour through the trees not far from Chilhowee Campground, in Benton, Tennessee.
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