Cheoah Point Campground, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest
Robbinsville, North Carolina · on Santeetlah Lake · Nantahala National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $20/night
- SEASON
- Year-round
About Cheoah Point Campground, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest
Cheoah Point Campground and its adjacent swim beach sit on a peninsula of Santeetlah Lake, a fine mountain lake to swim in, within the Cheoah Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest, about 6 miles north of Robbinsville, NC. The U.S. Forest Service designates this as a developed recreation area for camping, swimming, fishing, and boating, and the swimming hole here is a dedicated swim beach kept separate from the campground's boat ramp.
The site occupies a wooded peninsula jutting into the 2,800-acre Santeetlah Lake in the mountains of western North Carolina, surrounded by Nantahala National Forest terrain; the nearby Wauchecha Bald Trail connects the area to the Appalachian Trail.
Swimming at Cheoah Point Campground, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest
Swimming takes place off a designated lake beach reached by a short walk or bike ride from the campground; camper accounts describe the water as clear and describe floating on tubes and hanging hammocks over the water, suggesting calm, family-friendly lake swimming rather than a swift-water or waterfall spot.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Robbinsville, NC, take US Highway 129 north approximately 6 miles, then turn onto SR 1145 (Thunderbird Mountain Road) and continue about 1.3 miles to the campground and beach.
Parking: Campground has designated parking at sites; camper reports note that the most desirable lakefront sites near the point require carrying gear some distance from parking. No dedicated day-use beach parking lot details were found.
The hike in
- To the water
- roughly 0.2-0.4 mi (short walk or bike ride) from the campground to Cheoah Point Beach
- Time on foot
- a few minutes on foot or by bike from most campsites
Difficulty: easy - flat, developed campground path, not a backcountry trail
This is a drive-up/walk-up developed beach, not a hike-in swimming hole. A camper review on The Dyrt also mentions an informal trail down to the lake as an alternative to the paved/gravel path. The separate Wauchecha Bald Trail nearby leads to the Appalachian Trail but is not the access route to the swim beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
USFS/Recreation.gov describe a designated swim beach (not open shoreline), which is generally easier for kids than a wild bank, but neither official source nor camper reviews mention a lifeguard, marked shallow zone, or posted depth/drop-off info, so adult supervision is warranted. No dogs are allowed on the beach itself.
Parking
Lot
Parking is at the campground's own sites/lot; no dedicated day-use beach parking lot or its fee was documented in official sources. Camping itself costs $20/night (standard), $25/night (RV electric), or $40/night (cabins) per the USFS page, but no separate walk-in/day-use beach fee was found.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets, hot showers, and drinking water are provided at Cheoah Point Campground per the official USFS and Recreation.gov listings; one camper review on The Dyrt described the bathrooms as functional but not always well-stocked ('not super clean and no soap, toilet paper etc.'). No separate restroom facility dedicated to day-use beach visitors (as opposed to campers) was confirmed.
Water clarity
Clear
Campers describe Santeetlah Lake at Cheoah Point as clear: one wrote 'the lake is really clear and nice,' and others praised it as a beautiful lake good for swimming, floating, and tubing. No further independent discussion of this exact spot could be located.
Hours
Campground and swim beach open April 15 through October 31; the boat launch is open year-round (USFS Cheoah Point Recreation Area page).
On the water
Recreation.gov and the USFS recreation area page both list motorized and non-motorized boating, canoeing, kayaking, and jet skiing as available activities on the 2,800-acre Santeetlah Lake, with an on-site boat ramp open year-round. No specific no-wake zones, horsepower limits, or electric-only restrictions were documented in the sources found; visitors should confirm current rules with the Cheoah Ranger District (828-479-6431) if planning to launch a motorized craft.
What regulars say
Visitor reports from campers describe Santeetlah Lake at Cheoah Point as clear and scenic, with families floating on tubes, hanging hammocks over the water near the beach, and reaching the swim area by a short walk or bike ride (or an informal trail) from the campground rather than driving directly to it. The same visitors note the campground fills up in summer and that noise can carry across the water at night from vacation homes on the opposite shore.
Cheoah Point Campground, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest: FAQ
Does Cheoah Point Campground, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest charge a fee?
Camping fees of $20/night (standard sites, first-come-first-served or reservable), $25/night (RV sites with electric hookups), and $40/night (cabins), per the USFS recreation area page; no separate beach day-use fee was found in official sources.
Is Cheoah Point Campground, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest kid friendly?
USFS/Recreation.gov describe a designated swim beach (not open shoreline), which is generally easier for kids than a wild bank, but neither official source nor camper reviews mention a lifeguard, marked shallow zone, or posted depth/drop-off info, so adult supervision is warranted. No dogs are allowed on the beach itself.
Do I need to hike to reach Cheoah Point Campground, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Cheoah Point Campground, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest?
Parking is at the campground's own sites/lot; no dedicated day-use beach parking lot or its fee was documented in official sources. Camping itself costs $20/night (standard), $25/night (RV electric), or $40/night (cabins) per the USFS page, but no separate walk-in/day-use beach fee was found.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Cheoah Point Campground, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest?
Recreation.gov and the USFS recreation area page both list motorized and non-motorized boating, canoeing, kayaking, and jet skiing as available activities on the 2,800-acre Santeetlah Lake, with an on-site boat ramp open year-round. No specific no-wake zones, horsepower limits, or electric-only restrictions were documented in the sources found; visitors should confirm current rules with the Cheoah Ranger District (828-479-6431) if planning to launch a motorized craft.
When is the best time to visit Cheoah Point Campground, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest?
Campground and beach are officially open April 15 through October 31 (boat launch is open year-round).
What are the rules at Cheoah Point Campground, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest?
No dogs allowed on Cheoah Point Beach; leashed pets elsewhere; 14-day maximum stay; quiet hours 10 PM-6 AM; generator use limited to specific daytime hours; firewood transport restricted; alcohol restrictions apply forest-wide per USFS alert.
What water body is Cheoah Point Campground, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest on?
Cheoah Point Campground, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest is on Santeetlah Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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