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A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service cabin or lookout

Cheoah Point Cabin 1

Forest Service cabin or lookout in National Forests in North Carolina, Swain County, North Carolina. 3,894 feet. 5.3 miles from Bryson City.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina
Elevation
3,894 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
1 1 cabin non-electric
Longest rig
22 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Swain County

Overview

Located in the Cheoah Point Recreation Area in the Nantahala National Forest, this cabin is part of a campground that includes tent and RV sites. The campground is situated on a peninsula in Santeetlah Lake, surrounded by mixed hardwood forest. Cheoah Point Cabin 1 is reservable from April 15- October 31.

Recreation

Cheoah Point Recreation Area includes a campground, swim beach and boat ramp. Santeetlah Lake is ideal for fishing, power boating, non-motorized boating, sailing, jet skiing and water skiing. Anglers can find bass, walleye, trout, crappie and bream. The Wauchecha Bald Trail is located directly across from the recreation area, and starts as an easy hike , becoming more difficult throughout its eight mile length. This trail eventually leads to the well-known Appalachian Trail.

Facilities

This primitive cabin has two rooms. The front room has a full bed frame and the back room has a set of bunk bed frames. Outside of the cabin is a patio with a charcoal grill, picnic table, lantern post and electric outlet unit. There are no electrical outlets inside the cabin. There is no running water inside the cabin, but there are water spigots located throughout the campground. Flush toilets and shower facilities are located approximately 150 feet away. Visitors may wish to bring mattress pads and bedding. Supplies and equipment for preparing food, in addition to a cooler, are recommended.

Natural Features

Santeetlah Lake is a man-made reservoir and offers 76 miles of shoreline surrounded by natural forest. There are many coves and inlets to discover and mountain views to enjoy. Birders will find several bird species here. Spotted sandpiper and osprey are sometimes seen in the spring and summer. Red crossbills, green herons and warblers have been known to visit during migration.

Nearby Attractions

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just a short distance away, offering an ideal day trip from Cheoah Point Recreation Area.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • birding
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • hunting
  • marina
  • swimming
  • water activities

The land around Cheoah Point Cabin 1

The ringed pin is this cabin or lookout; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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