Benton Falls

Hike Name: Benton Falls Location: southeast TN Length: 1.5 Submitted by: Jeff Willers Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Tennessee trail reviews Tennessee national parks Tennessee state parks
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Description
The destination of this easy/moderate hike is Benton Falls (in the southern region of the Cherokee National Forest), a beautiful and unique 65 foot cascade over interesting tiers of rock. Except for the stone descent down to the base of the falls, the walk is fairly flat. After crossing the earthwork dam that creates McCamy Lake, the first 1/4 mile is a pleasant walk through dappled shade. The next 1 mile, however, is probably one of least attractive hikes of any I have ever taken. Through thinning, logging, and either controlled or natural burning, the next mile takes you through a depressing landscape of burned and sawn trees being undergrown by brush and weeds and swarmed by insects. Although the Falls was the site of a fatal bear attack in 2006, I did not see so much as an angry chipmunk.
The falls are quite beautiful and the gorge serene; there are many flat rocks on which to sit and forget the ugly landscape you had to pass through to get here.

Directions to Hike
From US 64, east of Cleveland, TN, in the Cherokee National Forest, look carefully for the signs to the Chilhowee Campground/Recreation Area. Take Forest Service Road 77 for 7 miles toward the campground. Turn right at the campground sign and go another .5 mile to the parking area ($3 day use fee). Just south of the parking area, look for the trailhead map and signs.

Contact Information
Ocoee / Hiwassee Ranger District
3171 Highway 64
Benton, TN 37370
(423) 338-3300

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