Camping at Chilhowee Campground

Date: 9/30/12 – 10/2/12
Location: Ocoee, TN
GPS Coordinates: 35.152011, -84.601587
This is a campground that Julie and I camped at back when we were in high school. Oh, about 30+ years ago!  So, after some research I was able to locate this campground again and made it the first stop on our fall camping trip. This location sits atop a mountain which requires a 5 – 6 mile trek up a mountain road with several semi-steep climbs. Keep this in mind if you are pulling a large trailer.
There are two separate camping loops with a small pond/lake between the two. This lake has a swimming beach and can be used for fishing and kayaking, but again it’s pretty small in size. Both loops have many very nice campsites, large in size and with good privacy.
Being on the edge of the Great Smokey Mountains, there’s plenty to do in this area. There’s may white water rafting companies on the main road that leads towards the campground. Also, at the campground there are many very good hiking trails. One of the longer trails leads partway down the mountains to a nice waterfall.
Here is our Review of this campground:
Campground: Chilhowee Campground
Campground Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cherokee/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=35078&actid=29
Site Number: ?
Price: $20 night
Date visited: 9/30/12 - 10/2/12
Rating (1 = low, 5 = high)
Campsite size: 4
Campsite space between sites: 4
Campsite privacy between sites: 4
Campsite parking: dirt
Campfire permitted: yes. Fire ring on each site
Campsite picnic table: Yes
Campground Facilities: 4.5
Campground access to hiking:3.5
Campground access to water: Kayaking 3.5 (bottom of mountain). Nice small lake/pond for swimming near campground
Overall Campground rating: 4

Fall leaves in the stream by the waterfall

Waterfall on one of the hikes

A rainy day on the mountain

An evening by the campfire

Our hike on the Huckleberry Knob Trail
Huckleberry Knob Trail at EveryTrail

Gazebo Overlook Trail at EveryTrail

Chilhowee Campground Hike at EveryTrail

Benton Falls Trail at EveryTrail