Dont be misled by some of the photos on other reviews. Many of those great shots are of areas nearby, not the Chilhowee Recreation Area itself. I parked here to hike the trail to Benton Falls. Day use costs $3. You will need a pen to fill out the parking pass. I didn't have one. The picnic areas are nice and plenty. There are good bathroom stations and several wash spigots near the sidewalk to get the sand and dirt off of you. I was not impressed with the little beach area or the pond. The water was murky, with logs and trash in it. I avoided it. There were no pamphlets or maps in the holders. I took a pic of the map on the pay station. Finding any trail head is a challenge. And once you do, focus on the color of your trail, painted on the trees, because the signs rarely reassure you that you are still on the right path. The trail to Benton Falls is quite a hike, but wide and easy, most of the way. It is not handicap accessible. Once there, you descend stone steps to the bottom where you navigate boulders to find a spot to chill.