Cherokee National Forest — riverside, fishing, hikingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
Greeneville, TN, TN★ 4.5 (91 reviews)From $10/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
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.
Best for:AnglersHikersWildlife watchersFamiliesBackpackersSites:Tent
LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseCheck-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
SeasonMay through October
Stay limit14 days
Hookups1 electric sites
ADA sites15 sites
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire RingsDrinking Water
Recreation
Picnic TablesFishing
Family & Pets
Vault Toilets
Straight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Known issuesFederal campground — book early. No hookups at most sites. Seasonal operations.
Skip it if:✕ You need RV hookups — no hookups available at most sites✕ You're visiting outside May-October — seasonal closures apply
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
it's a popular federal campground
Access road is narrow with sharp curves; drive cautiously
Elevation is 1,760 feet; plan for cooler mountain temperatures
Fishing and swimming available at Paint Creek
Best: May-October
Campground operates seasonally during these months only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetT-Mobile
4G · 0%
Verizon
4G · 0%
AT&T
4G · 0%
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmAlert: Bobcats, Eastern Screech-Owls, Big Brown Bats, Northern Map Turtles, and various snake species documented in the area. Bear Wise protocols strictly enforced — store all food and trash in hard-sided containers.
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
423-638-4109· Cherokee National Forest
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Cherokee National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Cherokee National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Paint Creek Campground cost per night?+
Paint Creek Campground costs $10 per night. Hookup options: No hookups.
What season is Paint Creek Campground open?+
Paint Creek Campground is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does Paint Creek Campground have hookups?+
No hookups.
What is the maximum RV length at Paint Creek Campground?+
Paint Creek Campground is primarily a tent camping facility.
How do I make reservations at Paint Creek Campground?+
Paint Creek Campground is a federal campground — book 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.
What is the cell service like at Paint Creek Campground?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Paint Creek Campground is rated none. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is Paint Creek Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Paint Creek Campground is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
●Data sources on this page
Recreation.gov — Live site availability — updated every 30 min
recreation.gov · RIDB API
National Weather Service — Live hourly forecast + active alerts
api.weather.gov · open-meteo.com
Google Air Quality API — Live AQI at exact campground coordinates
airquality.googleapis.com
iNaturalist — Research-grade wildlife within 8km
api.inaturalist.org
Google Pollen API — Today’s tree, grass & weed pollen forecast
pollen.googleapis.com
FCC Broadband Map — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile 4G/5G coverage data
broadbandmap.fcc.gov · quarterly
Sunrise-Sunset.org — Sunrise, sunset & golden hour for today
api.sunrise-sunset.org
Google Street View — Campground entrance & access road imagery
maps.googleapis.com
RIDB — ADA sites, hookups, toilets, pets, campfire rules, bear boxes, max RV, activities, contact, directions
ridb.recreation.gov · /facilities /campsites /activities /links /recareas
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
$10 /night★ 4.5 (91)
SeasonMay through October
Check-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
Dates full? Get an availability alert
FAQ
How much does Paint Creek Campground cost per night?+
What season is Paint Creek Campground open?+
Does Paint Creek Campground have hookups?+
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