Benton Falls
Is it open? Status unknown3 mi round tripEasy
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A 65-foot waterfall in the Cherokee National Forest, at the end of the Benton Falls Trail from the Chilhowee Recreation Area. The Forest Service calls it an easy 1.5-mile hike each way. It doesn't say whether swimming is allowed at the falls. Day use costs $3 per vehicle.
At a glance
The walk, the climb and how hard it is.
310 ft
Climb back up
Our measurement with USGS lidar. The park doesn't publish a climb.
Measured by Chattanooga Falls with USGS 3DEP lidar elevation, checked October 27, 2026The gorge in 3D
The pink line is the Benton Falls Trail from the Chilhowee Day Use area to the creek crossing below the falls. Drag to turn it.
Building the 3D view…
Shaded relief: USGS 3DEP lidar. Elevation: USGS via AWS Terrain Tiles. Trails © OpenStreetMap contributors.
The water right now
Live from the National Weather Service and NOAA radar. Check again before you get in.
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Good to know
The park's rules, fees and hours, each with where it came from.
- Rules
- Swimming: the Forest Service doesn't say for Benton Falls. Bear food-storage rules apply across the forest.USDA Forest Service, Cherokee National Forest (page 1, page 2), checked October 26, 2026
- Fee
- $3 per vehicle per day ($1.50 with an America the Beautiful senior or access pass)USDA Forest Service, Cherokee National Forest, checked October 26, 2026
- Dogs
- Allowed on a leash of 6 ft or shorterUSDA Forest Service, Cherokee National Forest, checked October 26, 2026
Parking and directions
Directions go to the parking lot, never to the falls.
Chilhowee Day Use area
7.2 miles up Forest Road 77 from Highway 64, Cherokee National Forest, TN
$3 per vehicle per day; display the permit.
Source: USDA Forest Service, Cherokee National Forest, checked October 26, 2026. Map pin: OpenStreetMap.Weather at the falls
The National Weather Service forecast for this spot.
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Nearby spots
Open and closed labels come from each land manager's own pages.