Paint Creek Campground in Greeneville, TN
Guide to Camping and Recreation
| ADDRESS |
|---|
| Greeneville, TN GPS: 35.978395, -82.844506 Elevation: 1749′ |
| MANAGEMENT |
| Public – USDA Forest Service This is a PAY campground. ($12 or less) |
Previous Reviews:
Paint Creek Campground: Looking for a family-oriented campground tucked away in a mountain cove? Paint Creek Campground, located in Greene County along the banks of Paint Creek is the place! Most of the widely-spaced campsites have streamside views and are well screened with native vegetation. While visiting, try your hand at fishing for trout in Paint Creek (seasonally stocked).
About This Location
Paint Creek Campground in Greeneville, TN, gives you a peaceful spot to soak up nature right along the banks of Paint Creek Campground. What makes this place stand out? Many campsites offer scenic streamside views, so you can actually relax and feel connected to the outdoors. The forest and rolling hills wrap around the area, and there’s just something about that fresh air and quiet that feels restorative.
There’s a good mix of activities here, whether you want to hit the trails or just sit back and enjoy the scenery. The sites are spaced out, so you get some privacy and a mellow vibe. Tents, RVs—doesn’t really matter, the campground welcomes both, though the facilities are pretty basic.
If you’re thinking about a visit, you’ll find the campground easy to get to by car, nestled within the broader Cherokee National Forest. People keep coming back for the peaceful environment and the convenience, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why.
Key Takeaways
- Streamside campsites make relaxing easy.
- Both RVs and tents work here.
- The spot is accessible and folks generally like it.
Paint Creek Campground in Greeneville, TN
Paint Creek Campground sits in Greene County, just outside Greeneville, TN, right on the banks of Paint Creek Campground inside the Cherokee National Forest. You’ll find a rustic, quiet experience here, surrounded by native hemlock, rhododendron, and laurel.
Most campsites have enough space between them for some peace and come with stream views. It’s part of the larger Paint Creek Campground Recreation Area, which does a good job preserving the land for wildlife and native plants.
The area’s got some history, too—the Civilian Conservation Corps built trails and campgrounds here back in the day. Besides camping, you can wander trails like Paint Creek Campground Trail or venture out to places like Rich Mountain Fire Tower or Chilhowee Recreation Area.
Paint Creek Corridor matters for conservation and offers hunting (with the right permits). Public land here helps keep the environment and local wildlife in decent shape. Keep in mind, black bears live in the region, so following Bear Wise guidelines is a must.
If you’re up for more, you’ve got Holston Mountain, Ocoee Whitewater Center, and McKamy Lake nearby—hiking, fishing, water sports, you name it. Paint Creek Campground makes a nice base for checking out Tennessee’s outdoors without straying far from Greeneville.
Things to Do
You’ve got plenty of options for staying busy at Paint Creek Campground. Hiking’s a big draw, with trails like Paint Mountain Trail and Paint Creek Campground Trail starting close by. These aren’t too tough but still make you work a bit as you pass through the forest.
Gum Springs Trail, Chimney Rocks Trail, and Kelley Falls are worth checking out, too. They’ll take you to waterfalls and scenic overlooks—honestly, they’re perfect if you love nature. Some of these trails work for biking as well, so you’re not stuck walking if you’d rather ride.
Fishing? Absolutely. The creek’s got rainbow trout, so bring your gear if that’s your thing. There’s also a swimming hole where you can cool off when the weather heats up.
The campground has picnic tables and spots for tents or trailers, so you can actually enjoy a meal outside without feeling cramped.
And if you’re into horseback riding, you’ll find horse trails here, too. It’s a good way to see the forest from a different perspective. There’s a little something for everyone.
Directions
Getting to Paint Creek Campground from Greeneville is pretty straightforward. Just drive south on TN 70 for about 11 miles, then hang a right onto Rollins Chapel Road. The signs will point you the rest of the way.
If you’re coming from Chuckey, TN 70 is still your best bet. You’ll pass some nice views near the French Broad River before you get to Rollins Chapel Road.
Coming from South Holston Lake or the Ocoee River area? Get yourself to TN 70, then head south toward Greeneville and follow the same route.
Lower Paint Creek Road sits near the campground, but it’s not the main access. Rollins Chapel Road is the way to go. River Road’s close, but it actually takes you away from the campground, so skip it.
If you’re planning a longer trip to Hot Springs, TN 70 links up nicely between Paint Creek Campground and Hot Springs. It’s a smooth drive and keeps things simple.
The roads are clearly marked, and each turnoff is easy to spot, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your way for a day trip or a longer stay.
Vehicle Access
You can reach Paint Creek Campground by car with little hassle. The roads are in good shape. From Greeneville, just take TN 70 south for about 11 miles, then turn right onto Rollins Chapel Road and follow the signs.
Each campsite lets you park up to two vehicles. Most sites fit regular cars easily, and a few can handle larger vehicles like campervans. Just know that the maximum vehicle length is about 50 feet, so if you’re rolling in with a really big RV, it might be tight.
Most parking areas are pretty level, making it easier to park. Some sites have room for several vehicles, especially the ones set up for tents or small campers.
Group size is capped at five people and two vehicles per site. That keeps things from getting too crowded.
Before you head out, double-check for any vehicle rules. Some sites might not work for trailers, depending on size and terrain. Reserving ahead is smart if you want to be sure your setup will fit.
RV and Camping Trailer Information
Paint Creek Campground can handle trailers and RVs up to about 45-50 feet. Most sites have enough space for these bigger vehicles, but you’ll need to fit both vehicles in the parking area.
The campground works for both RVs and tents. The sites are spaced out for privacy, and a lot of them have streamside views. It’s usually clean, shaded, and quiet—just a nice place to stay, really.
Food storage rules apply, just like in the rest of Cherokee National Forest. Storing food properly keeps wildlife safe and the environment healthy. We stick to those rules, just like at other campgrounds such as Chilhowee, Dennis Cove, and Thunder Rock.
If you want more options, check out developed campgrounds nearby, like Indian Boundary Campground or Little Oak Campground. For lake access, South Holston Lake Jacobs Creek Campground and Parksville Lake RV Campground are worth a look if you want to be closer to the water.
Follow the general guidelines and you’ll have a good, safe time camping at Paint Creek Campground or anywhere nearby.
Paid or Permit Sites
At Paint Creek Campground, you’ll find 20 designated paid campsites. Each site runs $10 per night during the open season, which goes from May 1 to October 24, 2024. That fee helps us keep the campground and its facilities in decent shape.
Each site accommodates groups of up to 5 people, with a limit of 2 vehicles per spot. You’ll need to make sure your vehicles fit completely in the marked parking areas—no blocking roads or squeezing into the woods.
Most of our sites are tent-friendly and sit close to Paint Creek Campground. We don’t offer RV hookups, but honestly, this place is perfect for folks who want to camp close to nature.
We scattered bathhouse facilities throughout the campground. These spots have restrooms and simple washing stations, just enough to keep things comfortable while you’re here.
Alcohol isn’t allowed on the paid sites. We keep it that way to maintain a safe, family-friendly vibe.
If you’re after more flexibility, dispersed camping sits nearby, though you won’t get the same amenities you find at the paid sites. For paid camping, you’ll need to reserve or pay at the site to lock in your spot.
| AMENITIES: | ACTIVITIES: |
|---|---|
| Picnic tables Near Water Toilets Drinking water |
RV Camping Tent Camping Fishing Boating Hiking Nature Walks Wildlife Viewing |
Helpful Boondocking Information Links:
Over 10,000 Free Boondocking Locations
Boondocking Recipes for 1000’s Of Camping Meals
Bureau of Land Management
Government Recreation Area
National Park Service
Leave No Trace
State Specific Information Links
Tennessee Park Service
Tennessee Fish and Game