Benton Falls Hike
Waterfall · about 65 ft high | Tennessee
3 mi round trip
Benton Falls Hike at a Glance
The Benton Falls hike is 3 mi round trip.
| Falls height | About 65 ft |
|---|---|
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 1,720 ft |
| Distance | 3 mi round trip |
Your time: about 1 h of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 1 h 15 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 570 kcal. No elevation gain is published for this route, so climbing time isn’t included.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 3 mi distance for this hike is verified (fs.usda.gov), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Benton Falls
Benton Falls is a waterfall in Tennessee, about 65 feet high, on land managed by Cherokee National Forest. Its height is from fs.usda.gov.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Benton Falls Trail: 3 miles round trip, from Chilhowee Recreation Area (McKamy Lake swim area). Distance from fs.usda.gov.
Before You Go
- There is a $3 day use fee. (fs.usda.gov)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Cherokee National Forest for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Benton Falls?
The Benton Falls Trail to Benton Falls is 3 miles round trip.
Where does the Benton Falls hike start?
It starts from Chilhowee Recreation Area (McKamy Lake swim area).
How tall is Benton Falls?
Benton Falls is about 65 feet high.
Is there a fee to hike to Benton Falls?
There is a $3 day use fee.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Benton Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- fs.usda.gov
- Distance
- fs.usda.gov
- Falls height
- fs.usda.gov
- Falls location
- gowaterfalling.com
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Benton Falls.