Paint Creek Campground
Cherokee National Forest — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: Greeneville, TN, TN
Price: From $10 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (91 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/paint-creek-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Paint Creek offers widely-spaced streamside campsites screened by native plants like rhododendron and hemlock in a mountain cove setting. Google reviews highlight it as peaceful, family-friendly, and well-maintained with helpful hosts (4.7/5 rating from 145 reviews).
Wildlife alert: 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.
Insider tips for Paint Creek Campground: Book 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
Skip Paint Creek Campground if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available at most sites. You're visiting outside May-October — seasonal closures apply.
Best time to visit Paint Creek Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Nearby campgrounds: Rocky Bluff Campground (HOT SPRINGS, NC), Round Mountain Campground (Del Rio, TN), Horse Creek Recreation Area (Greeneville, TN), Harmon Den Campground (Mars Hill, NC).
Cell Phone Coverage at Paint Creek Campground
Cell signal at Paint Creek Campground (Greeneville, TN): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
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
Campground operates seasonally during these months only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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?+
What season is Paint Creek Campground open?+
Does Paint Creek Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Paint Creek Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Paint Creek Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Paint Creek Campground?+
What season is Paint Creek Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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