Paint Creek Campground
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
Need to Know
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
Access road is narrow with some sharp curves.
Group size is 5 people, 2 vehicles per site.
No alcoholic beverages allowed.
Campfires should only be in fire rings and are limited to the burning of wood from a local source.
Water spigots are shared between sites.
All users' equipment must be contained within the site. Sites should be kept neat and orderly.
Check-out time is 12:00PM. Check-in time is 2:00PM. If you arrive earlier, you may have to wait for a campsite.
Dogs are welcome, but they must remain on a leash.
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.
Forest Service Volunteer Campground Hosts help manage the area and can provide visitor information.
Sites 3 and 11 are double sites and do not qualify for interagency pass discounts (Access, Military, Senior, Golden Age).
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
- Site 10, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 11, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 7, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 4, Loop East, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 20, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 18, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 17, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 5, Loop East, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 2, Loop East, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 13, Loop West, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 21, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 14, Loop West, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 1, Loop East, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 8, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 9, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 19, Loop West, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 16, Loop West, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 3, Loop East, Type Standard Nonelectric
