Rough access roads lead to this Forest Service campground on the shores of Santeetlah Lake in the Nantahala National Forest. The 22-foot RV length limit reflects the challenging approach, making this destination more suitable for tent campers and smaller rigs. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings, with fishing available directly from the lake shoreline.
Operating from late March through mid-October, Cheoah Point requires advance reservations and maintains a no-pets policy. The $40 nightly rate positions this as a premium Forest Service option. Campers seeking easier access might consider Timberlake Campground, which offers similar lake proximity with better road conditions.
Description
Overview
Located in the Cheoah Point Recreation Area in the Nantahala National Forest, this cabin is part of a campground that includes tent and RV sites. The campground is situated on a peninsula in Santeetlah Lake, surrounded by mixed hardwood forest, and this cabin offers a view of the lake. Cheoah Point Cabin 2 is reservable from April 15-October 31.
Recreation
Cheoah Point Recreation Area includes a campground, swim beach and boat ramp. Santeetlah Lake is ideal for fishing, power boating, non-motorized boating, sailing, jet skiing and water skiing. Anglers can find bass, walleye, trout, crappie and bream. The Wauchecha Bald Trail is located directly across from the recreation area, and starts as an easy hike, becoming more difficult throughout its eight mile length. This trail eventually leads to the well-known Appalachian Trail.
Facilities
This primitive cabin has two rooms. The front room has a full bed frame and the back room has a set of bunk bed frames. Outside of the cabin is a patio with a charcoal grill, picnic table, lantern post and electric outlet unit. There are no electrical outlets inside the cabin. There is no running water inside the cabin, but there are water spigots located throughout the campground. Flush toilets and shower facilities are located approximately 150 feet away. Visitors may wish to bring mattress pads and bedding. Supplies and equipment for preparing food, in addition to a cooler, are recommended.
Natural Features
Santeetlah Lake is a man-made reservoir and offers 76 miles of shoreline surrounded by natural forest. There are many coves and inlets to discover and mountain views to enjoy. Birders will find several bird species here. Spotted sandpiper and osprey are sometimes seen in the spring and summer. Red crossbills, green herons and warblers have been known to visit during migration.
Nearby Attractions
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just a short distance away, offering an ideal day trip from Cheoah Point Recreation Area.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsNantahala National Forest Cheoah Point Recreation Area is located in North Carolina near Whittier
Directions
From Robbinsville, North Carolina, continue on Highway 129 north for approximately 6 miles. Turn left on SR # 1145 - Thunderbird Mountain Road. Continue approximately 1.3 miles on Thunderbird Mountain Road to the Cheoah Point Campground. The cabin is located in the Cheoah Point Campground.
Address
1373 THUNDERBIRD MOUNTAIN ROAD
Robbinsville, NC 28771
Coordinates
35.3691667 N
83.3852778 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
Site Types
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Fires
Drive Time
- 1 hr 31 min from Asheville, NC
- 2 hrs 28 min from Knoxville, TN
- 2 hrs 35 min from Morristown, TN
