Best Tent Camping near Benton, TN
Cherokee National Forest surrounds Benton, Tennessee with multiple tent camping options for overnight backcountry stays. Lost Creek Campground offers free primitive tent sites about 7 miles down a gravel forest road, with concrete picnic tables and access to a creek for shallow wading and fishing. Other tent-focused options include Chilhowee Campground with its shaded, level sites and crushed stone pads, and Goforth Creek with small sites along hiking trails. These backcountry tent areas provide varying levels of remoteness and natural settings within the forest ecosystem.
Tent campsites in the Cherokee National Forest typically feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Most sites include fire rings and concrete or stone picnic tables, though facilities vary significantly between established and dispersed areas. Vault toilets are available at Lost Creek and Chilhowee campgrounds, but many primitive areas lack bathroom facilities entirely. Cell service is limited or nonexistent, particularly at remote sites like Lost Creek. Access roads can be challenging, with some requiring navigation of 7+ miles of gravel forest roads that may deteriorate after heavy rainfall. Visitors should bring all necessary water, as drinking water is not available at most primitive tent camping locations.
The tent camping experience near Benton offers proximity to flowing creeks, mountain views, and trail access. Sites along creek beds provide natural white noise and opportunities for shallow water wading during warmer months. Chilhowee offers lake access and exceptional mountain views from its mountaintop location. The Benton MacKaye and Big Frog trails connect to various backcountry tent sites, making this area ideal for hikers seeking multi-day adventures. Privacy varies by location, with Lost Creek offering relatively secluded sites even during peak seasons. As one visitor noted about Lost Creek, "It's a free campsite so it's first come first serve and everyone we've met so far have been the friendliest of people. Each campsite has a concrete table, fire pit, and tent platform. Some have direct access to the creek."
