Chilhowee Recreation Area
Benton, Tennessee · on Franklin Spring Branch · Cherokee National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $3 per vehicle
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Chilhowee Recreation Area
Chilhowee Recreation Area is a US Forest Service campground and day-use site in the Cherokee National Forest near Benton, Tennessee, built around McKamy Lake, a 7-acre lake constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s/early 1940s. The Forest Service designates a sand swim beach on the lake as an official swimming area alongside fishing, non-motorized boating, and picnicking, making this swimming hole a dependable lake to swim in.
The recreation area sits atop Chilhowee Mountain within Cherokee National Forest, reached by a narrow, winding forest road; the drive up offers scenic overlooks with views of Parksville Lake below. McKamy Lake itself is a small, forested mountain lake with a sandy beach, surrounded by the recreation area's campground loops and roughly 25 miles of hiking/biking trails, including the easy 1.5-mile trail to nearby Benton Falls.
Swimming at Chilhowee Recreation Area
Swimming is at a designated sand beach on the man-made McKamy Lake, a calm, non-motorized 7-acre lake (only non-gasoline boats allowed) suited to families and casual swimmers rather than open-water or current-driven swimming. The Forest Service explicitly notes there is no lifeguard on duty and swimming is at one's own risk.
How to get to this swimming hole
From the Highway 64/411 intersection near Benton/Ocoee, travel east about 7 miles and turn onto Forest Road 77 (Chilhowee/Oswald Dome Road), then continue roughly 7.5 miles up the mountain to the recreation area. The Forest Service explicitly warns not to rely on GPS, which can route visitors via unpaved, narrow Benton Springs Road that is not recommended, especially for RVs.
Parking: Day-use parking is available at the McKamy Lake beach/day-use area within Chilhowee Recreation Area for a $3 per vehicle day-use fee; specific lot capacity is not documented in sources found.
The hike in
No hike is needed to reach the swim beach, it's accessed directly from the day-use parking lot. A separate 'Chilhowee Lake Trail' skirts the banks of McKamy Lake for those who want to walk the shoreline, and the easy 1.5-mile Benton Falls Trail is a popular nearby hike, but neither is required to swim.
Drive-up/short-walk access from the parking lot to the sand beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
The swim area is a designated sand beach on a calm, non-motorized lake with no current, which suits young/casual swimmers, but the US Forest Service explicitly posts no lifeguard on duty and swimming is at your own risk, so supervision is needed.
Parking
Paid, $3 per vehicle (day-use fee)
Day-use lot serves the McKamy Lake beach/day-use area within Chilhowee Recreation Area; exact lot capacity not documented in sources found.
Restrooms
Yes
Bathhouses with flush toilets and warm showers are located in the day-use area (near the beach) and in each campground loop, per USFS and StateParks.com.
Hours
Day-use area open daily, sunrise to sunset, roughly early April through late October (Outdoor Chattanooga); campground/full season dates were April 14-Oct 20 for the 2025 season per USFS. Camping check-in 2:00 p.m., check-out 12:00 p.m., quiet hours 10:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.
On the water
Restrictions: Non-motorized craft only, gasoline motorboats are prohibited on McKamy Lake; electric/non-gas boating and flatwater paddling are permitted.
USFS lists 'Boating - Non-Motorized' for the site and both USFS and Outdoor Chattanooga describe it as a flatwater paddling spot; no rental concession is documented on-site.
Backstory
McKamy Lake was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s to early 1940s as part of the broader development of the Chilhowee Recreation Area.
Chilhowee Recreation Area: FAQ
Does Chilhowee Recreation Area charge a fee?
Day use: $3 per vehicle. Camping (2025 season): non-electric sites $12/night, electric hookup sites $20/night, walk-in electric sites $15/night.
Is Chilhowee Recreation Area kid friendly?
The swim area is a designated sand beach on a calm, non-motorized lake with no current, which suits young/casual swimmers, but the US Forest Service explicitly posts no lifeguard on duty and swimming is at your own risk, so supervision is needed.
Do I need to hike to reach Chilhowee Recreation Area?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Chilhowee Recreation Area?
Day-use lot serves the McKamy Lake beach/day-use area within Chilhowee Recreation Area; exact lot capacity not documented in sources found.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Chilhowee Recreation Area?
USFS lists 'Boating - Non-Motorized' for the site and both USFS and Outdoor Chattanooga describe it as a flatwater paddling spot; no rental concession is documented on-site.
When is the best time to visit Chilhowee Recreation Area?
Campground and day-use season runs April 14 through October 20 (2025 dates); summer is the peak swimming season, though day-use/overflow areas remain accessible year-round.
What are the rules at Chilhowee Recreation Area?
No lifeguard on duty (swim at your own risk); pets must be leashed (max 6 ft) and are not permitted on the beach; gasoline motorboats prohibited on the lake (non-motorized/electric only); bear-proof food storage required at all times; alcohol, firearms, and fireworks prohibited; quiet hours 10 p.m.-6 a.m.
What water body is Chilhowee Recreation Area on?
Chilhowee Recreation Area is on Franklin Spring Branch, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
More swimming holes near Benton
★ Top verifiedMac Point Beach Recreation Area
Reliance, Tennesseelake
⛺🛶
★ Top verifiedLake Conasauga Picnic and Swim Site
Chatsworth, Georgialake
⛺🛶🏄
★ Top verifiedMorganton Point Recreation Area
Morganton, Georgiareservoir
⛺🛶🏄🚤
★ Top verifiedPeeples Lake
Chatsworth, Georgialake
⛺🛶
Indian Boundary Recreation Area
Tellico Plains, Tennesseelake
⛺🛶
★ Top verifiedCheoah Point Campground, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest
Robbinsville, North Carolinalake
⛺🛶🚤