Paint Creek Campground
Campground · Tennessee · 20 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Cherokee National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 20
- Bookable sites
- up to 5
- People per site
- 15
- Accessible sites
- 1,683 ft
- Elevation
Overview
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.
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.
Facilities
- 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
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.
Contact Info
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.
The facts
- Season: 5/1/2024 – 10/24/2024 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 20 bookable sites
- 21 sites in total, including non-bookable
- 15 accessible sites
- Up to 5 people per site
- Loops: East, West
Site types
- 17 Standard Nonelectric
- 3 Tent Only Nonelectric
- 1 Management
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups, grills.
21 campsites at Paint Creek Campground
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Access | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Drive In | — | — | 5 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 2 | East | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Drive In | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 3 | East | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Drive In | Riverfront | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 4 | East | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Drive In | Riverfront | — | 5 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 5 | East | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Hike In | Riverfront | — | 5 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 6 | East | Management | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Drive In | Riverfront | — | 5 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 10 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Drive In | Riverfront | — | 5 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 11 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Drive In | Riverfront | — | 5 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 12 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Drive In | Riverfront | — | 5 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 13 | West | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | Drive In | Riverfront | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 14 | West | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | Gravel | Slight | Drive In | Riverfront | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 15 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Drive In | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 16 | West | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Drive In | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 17 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Drive In | — | — | 5 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 18 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Drive In | — | — | 5 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 19 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Hike In | — | — | 5 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 20 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Hike In | — | — | 5 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 21 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Hike In | — | — | 5 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 7 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Hike In | Riverfront | — | 5 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 8 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Slight | Drive In | Riverfront | — | 5 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 9 | West | Standard Nonelectric | Parallel | Gravel | Slight | Drive In | Riverfront | — | 5 | ♿ 🐾 |
Getting there
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.
35.97839, -82.84451 · 35°58'42.2"N 82°50'40.2"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 3.6 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 5.3 | 4.2 | 3.3 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 4.2 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Paint Creek Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Paint Creek Campground?
- Yes, Paint Creek Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Paint Creek Campground have?
- 21 sites in total, of which 20 can be booked.
- Are pets allowed at Paint Creek Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Paint Creek Campground.
- Does Paint Creek Campground have hookups?
- Electric, Water.
- Are campfires allowed at Paint Creek Campground?
- Campfires are allowed at Paint Creek Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Paint Creek Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Paint Creek Campground's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Camping is $10 (20 sites)
Restrictions:
- Group size is 5 people, 2 vehicles per site.
- No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the area.
- Food storage restrictions apply at all areas on the Cherokee National Forest. All food and beverages must be stored in an approved bear-proof container, your locked vehicle or hard-sided camper at all times unless being eaten, prepared, or transported.
Camping near Paint Creek Campground
- Houston Valley 5.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Rocky Bluff Campground 8.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Round Mountain Campground 11.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Horse Creek Recreation Area 13.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Horse Creek Pavilion DAY USE 13.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Paint Creek Corridor with Hot Springs Loops 1.7 mi · Facility
- Paint Creek Corridor 1.7 mi · Campground
- Dillard Place 5.4 mi · Facility
- French Broad River Area 5.7 mi · Facility
- Rocky Bluff Campground 8.1 mi · Facility
- French Broad River 9.4 mi · Facility
- Andrew Johnson NHS Visitor Center 12.8 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 423-638-4109
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-13.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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