Best Campgrounds near Benton, TN
The Cherokee National Forest surrounds Benton, Tennessee, with a mix of developed campgrounds and dispersed camping areas spread throughout the mountainous landscape. Chilhowee Recreation Area serves as the main campground in the region, offering electric hookups for RVs and tent camping sites with fire rings and picnic tables. Lost Creek provides primitive dispersed camping options for those seeking more solitude in a natural setting. The Hiwassee River corridor offers additional camping opportunities at Gee Creek Campground within the Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park, where tent and RV sites are available with access to hiking trails and water recreation.
Road access varies significantly between campgrounds, with some requiring travel on winding mountain roads. Chilhowee Recreation Area sits at higher elevation, requiring a 7-mile drive up Oswald Road with multiple scenic overlooks along the way. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with Chilhowee and Thunder Rock typically open from April to November, while some facilities like Lost Creek remain accessible year-round. Cell service can be limited at most sites, particularly at more remote locations deep in the national forest. Water access points are limited at some campgrounds, with Chilhowee notably lacking water hookups at individual sites. A visitor commented, "The campground is well maintained with the park staff always driving around and friendly. Each campground has a fire pit, lantern pole and picnic table."
Several visitors highlight the numerous hiking opportunities as a major draw for camping in the Benton area. The trail to Benton Falls from Chilhowee Recreation Area receives consistent praise in reviews, with one camper noting, "The trails are what really makes this an all around great campground. Several hikes for all levels." The Lost Creek dispersed camping area, while more primitive, earns high marks for its creek access and proximity to the Benton MacKaye trail. Camping areas near water features tend to fill quickly during summer months, particularly on weekends. For those seeking more solitude, primitive camping options exist deeper in the Cherokee National Forest, though these lack amenities like showers or drinking water that are available at developed sites like Gee Creek Campground, which features heated bathhouses during winter.
