Paint Creek Campground

Cherokee National Forest

Paint Creek Recreation Area (elevation 1760 feet) is located in Greene County in a mountain cove along Paint Creek. A majority of the widely-spaced campsites have streamside views and are screened by a variety of native plants, including rhododendron, hemlock and laurel.

Be Bear Wise: Food storage compliance is strictly enforced. Store all food and trash in hard-sided containers and vehicles while not in use. Never have attractants in your tent. Violations of the food storage order are ticketable offenses and subject to fines. Food and trash left unattended will be impounded by campground staff.

20 total campsites

All single occupancy
3 sites (13, 14, and 16) are tent-only

2 vault toilets, one in each loop
Drinking water available at the center of the campground
Paint Creek Campground Map

Notifications and Alerts

This location is closed until further notice due to significant impacts from Hurricane Helene. Please continue to monitor this location’s facility page on Recreation.gov for status updates or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/cherokee for details. Keep in mind, local personnel may be attending to this urgent situation and not available to provide updates immediately.

Need to Know

It is your responsibility to read, know, understand, and follow all specific rules and regulations which are also posted at the campground.
Be Bear Wise: Food storage compliance is strictly enforced. Store all food and trash in hard-sided containers and vehicles while not in use. Never have attractants in your tent. Violations of the food storage order are ticketable offenses and subject to fines. Food and trash left unattended will be impounded by campground staff. A copy of the Food Storage Order can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd574347.pdf
Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
The following items are expressly prohibited:

o Firearms and fireworks

o Alcohol and illegal drugs

o Public nudity
Access road is narrow and steep with some sharp curves.
Use designated fire rings for all fires. Do not build additional fire rings. No burning plastic or other non-wood materials except local wood in fire pits and charcoal in grills.
Max of 2 vehicles per site. All vehicles must be parked within the driveway or designated parking area of the site and no part of the vehicle may extend onto the road or into the woods.
Max of 5 people per site, including infants and children. Max of 2 tents and 1 canopy.
All users' equipment must be contained within the site. Sites must be kept neat and orderly.
All animals must be crated or on a leash not longer than 6 feet.
Water spigots are shared between sites.
Check-out time is 12:00PM. Check-in time is 2:00PM. If you arrive earlier, you may have to wait for a campsite.
Forest Service Volunteer Campground Hosts help manage the area and can provide visitor information.

Natural Features

Waterfalls: Kelly, Dudley and Ricker Falls can be seen from Forest Road 41 along Paint Creek. Cascades: 15 feet each.
Paint Creek Pond: Among the cattails and other aquatic plants, watch for beavers and listen for frog calls. In the early morning, watch mist rise from the placid surface of the pond. The pond is an easy drive or bicycle ride from Paint Creek Campground.

Nearby Attractions

French Broad River: Class I-III rapids. A popular commercial section runs 13 miles from Hot Springs, North Carolina, to Del Rio, Tennessee, with local rafting services.
Scenic drives along Paint Creek Corridor with Hot Springs Loops - Meander along 5-mile Paint Creek Corridor to historic Paint Rock. Stop for a picnic, check out scenic waterfalls or splash in the ripples along the way. Extend your trip by travelling along French Broad River via River Road to the community of Hot Springs, North Carolina. Two overmountain routes will bring you back to Paint Creek:

From Hot Springs, take US 25/70 west to TN 107 to Forest Road 54. Catch scenic mountain vistas along this winding gravel road that intersects Forest Road 41 near Paint Rock.
From Hot Springs, take US 25/70 east to Forest Road 467 and wind through Pisgah National Forest to Hurricane Gap. Forest Road 31 brings you back to Paint Creek at Moses Turn trailhead. Take a side trip at Hurricane Gap to Pisgah National Forest’s Rich Mountain Firetower or catch the Appalachian National Scenic Trail #1.

Recreation

Recreation opportunities abound along the Paint Creek corridor. Paint Creek is a popular stream for swimming, wading and fly fishing. TWRA stocks Paint Creek with Rainbow trout throughout the summer. Warm water fishing is a short drive away at Paint Creek Pond. Two hiking trails begin within walking distance of the campground: Paint Mountain Trail (#7) and Paint Creek Trail (#10). Bike riding along the Paint Creek corridor to Hot Springs, NC is becoming a favorite pastime. Several scenic auto loops can begin at Paint Creek campground.

Contact Information

Mailing Address

Unaka Ranger District 4900 Asheville Hwy Greeneville TN 37743

Physical

1965 Lower Paint Creek Rd Greeneville TN 37743

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 423-638-4109

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Greeneville, take TN 70 south for 11.2 miles, turn right on Rollins Chapel Road and then follow the signs to Paint Creek. Access road is narrow with some sharp curves.

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery

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