USDA Forest Service · Tennessee
Chilhowee Group Camp
USDA Forest Service · Tennessee, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- May 15 to November 15
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- Elevation
- 2,149 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 3
- Cell coverage
- AT&T good · Verizon good · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- CHILHOWEE (NFSR 77B) · bituminous surface treatment · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Cherokee National Forest
- Nearest town
- Benton
- Address
- 3171 Highway 64 East, Benton, TN, 37307
- Phone
- 423-338-3300
- Activities
- Accessible Swimming, Amphitheater, Biking, Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Rafting, River Trips, Scenic Drive
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Located in the Chilhowee Recreation Area, Chilhowee Group Camp offers camping for up to 75 individuals. Nearby McKamy Lake offers a swim area with a sandy beach and fishing from the bank. On the drive up to the campground, stop at one of the many observation overlooks to enjoy the beautiful mountains. Wildlife is abundant in this area, so have your camera ready and tread lightly.
Recreation
Within the recreation area are approximately 25 miles of hiking and biking trails including the Chilhowee Trails System. Chilhowee Group camp is an excellent location for wildlife viewing and accessing a nearby scenic waterfall. Fishing is available on the seven-acre McKamy Lake. Boats are allowed, but gasoline motors are not.
Facilities
The group camp includes a large open area with picnic tables and a grill as well as an RV site with electric hook up. Camp sites are scattered through the trees surrounding the RV site. Within the group site itself, a waterless vault toilet is available year-round. During the warmer months, (typically April-October), a bathhouse with flushing toilets and showers is available nearby.
Both the beach and many trails are located within a short walking distance of the site.
Drinking water is available near the entrance to the group site.
Natural Features
The campground is located near the top of Chilhowee Mountain at an elevation of 2,000 feet. It is in a mixed hardwood and pine forest and the lake is a short walk from the group camp.
Nearby Attractions
In addition to the immediate local activities, world class whitewater rafting opportunities are nearby on the Ocoee and Hiwassee Rivers.
Charges & Cancellations
Goup areas must be cancelled more than 14 days from reservation date to get refund. The $8.00 service fee will still be charged for the reservation
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42° | 26° | -1° | 64° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 51° | 33° | 17° | 66° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 61° | 41° | 13° | 76° | 8 of 11 |
| April | 67° | 47° | 29° | 79° | 2 of 11 |
| May | 76° | 58° | 41° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 81° | 63° | 51° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 84° | 67° | 60° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 84° | 67° | 58° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 80° | 63° | 51° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 67° | 47° | 33° | 83° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 57° | 37° | 20° | 71° | 4 of 10 |
| December | 49° | 30° | 14° | 64° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Chilhowee Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 61 sites
- Parksville Lake RV Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 16 sites
- Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park · Tennessee State Parks · 7 mi · 56 sites
- Lost Corral Horse Camp · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 4 sites
- Lost Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi
All public campgrounds in Tennessee · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.