Cheoah Point Campground
Cheoah Point Campground lies on a peninsula of the vast Lake Santeetlah in the hills of western North Carolina. The lake and surrounding landscape provide countless recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.
More like this: electric hookups in North Carolina · reservable in North Carolina · big rigs in North Carolina · tent only in North Carolina
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 17 |
| Standard with electric | 6 |
Site guide
23 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Surface | Shade | Power | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Standard | Gravel | Partial | No | 10 / 2 | |
| 02 | Standard | Gravel | Partial | No | 10 / 2 | |
| 03 | Standard | Gravel | Partial | No | 10 / 2 | |
| 04 | Standard | Gravel | Partial | No | 10 / 2 | |
| 05 | Standard | Gravel | Partial | No | 10 / 2 | |
| 06 | Standard | Gravel | Partial | No | 10 / 2 | |
| 07 | Standard | Gravel | Partial | No | 10 / 2 | |
| 08 | Standard | Gravel | Partial | No | 10 / 2 | |
| 09 | Standard | Gravel | Partial | No | 10 / 2 | |
| 10 | Standard | Gravel | Partial | No | 10 / 2 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | Tents |
The campground provides multiple open and wooded campsites that can accommodate up to 10 guests and 2 vehicles per site. Six RV sites provide 15/30/50 amp electrical hookups. Tables and campfire rings with grills are provided at each site. Flush toilets, hot showers and drinking water are provided to help create a comfortable camping experience.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | National Forests in North Carolina |
| Fees | $20 per night first come first served; $25 per night for RV sites; $40 per night for cabins |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Robbinsville, North Carolina, continue on Highway 129 north for approximately 6 miles. Turn left on SR # 1145 - Thunderbird Mountain Road. Continue approximately 1.3 miles on Thunderbird Mountain Road to the Cheoah Point Campground.
| Nearest town | Robbinsvillle, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35.3692° N, 83.8719° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Lovin Equipment & Sales, Inc - Outdoor Equipment & Sportsman ↗ | 5.6 mi |
| Dump station | North River Checking Station ↗ | 14.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Rick's RV Center ↗ | 23.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Camping at Cheoah Point Campground on Santeetlah Lake. Boating, Skinny Dipping, fishing, S
Worth a stop
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just a short distance away, offering an ideal day trip from Cheoah point Recreation Area.
- 0.3 miCheoah Point Beach ↗Swimming
- 0.3 miCheoah Point Beach ↗Swimming
- 3.3 miMassey Branch Fishing Pier ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miWauchecha Bald ↗7.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2 miBelding ↗11.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.6 miStratton Bald ↗7.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.8 miHaoe Lead ↗6.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.8 miMaple Springs ↗0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.9 miSanteetlah Lake Trail South ↗9.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside National Forests in North Carolina.
- inNational Forests in North Carolina ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,026,237 acres
- 3.6 miJoyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 19,246 acres
- 7.4 miCitico Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 16,213 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Graham County CourthouseBuilding · Robbinsville · 4.9 mi
- L. D. Giddens and Son Jewelry StoreBuilding · Goldsboro · 7.2 mi
- Calderwood DamStructure · Calderwood · 10.6 mi
Natural features
Lake Santeetlah sits in the Nantahala National Forest, which covers 1.3 million acres of mountain lands. Old forests grace the hills and valleys, with some of the canyons reaching deep into the earth, providing ample hiking opportunities in the beautiful terrain. Cheoah Point is situated in a forest of mature hardwoods at an elevation of 1,760 feet. The campground covers steep terrain and many of the campsites overlook the lake.
Recreation
Anglers enjoy fishing for trout, walleye, a variety of bass, bream and crappie and more in the 2,800-acre Lake Santeetlah. Boating, canoeing, jet skiing and swimming are also popular activities on the lake. Nearby, the Wauchecha Bald Trail, which begins as a an easy hike and gets progressively more difficult, provides access to the famed Appalachian Trail.
Guidebooks for North Carolina
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Great Day Hikes on North Carolina's Mountains-To-Sea TrailFriends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and Jim Grode, 2020Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Cheoah Point Campground?
Sites at Cheoah Point Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cheoah Point Campground?
$20 per night first come first served; $25 per night for RV sites; $40 per night for cabins
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cheoah Point Campground?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Cheoah Point Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cheoah Point Campground have?
23 sites, including 17 standard sites without power and 6 standard sites with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cheoah Point Campground?
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Cheoah Point Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Cheoah Point Campground?
Flush toilets, hot showers and drinking water are provided to help create a comfortable camping experience.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Cheoah Point Campground?
Anglers enjoy fishing for trout, walleye, a variety of bass, bream and crappie and more in the 2,800-acre Lake Santeetlah. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Cheoah Point Campground?
Robbinsvillle, North Carolina. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just a short distance away, offering an ideal day trip from Cheoah point Recreation Area.
Source: Getting there
What if Cheoah Point Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Rattler Ford Group Campground (2.5 mi), Rattler Ford Campground (2.6 mi, first-come), and Horse Cove Campground (2.7 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby