Pro scans every minute· 119K campsites tracked

Moderate to BookNational Forest

Paint Creek Campground

Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee

We can email you the day Paint Creek Campground opens again.

It is off-season. Paint Creek Campground has no announced reopening date

Cherokee National Forest has this campground closed for the season.

ClosedClosed now

As of October 2026, Paint Creek Campground is a campground in Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee with 20 campsites. Paint Creek Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks Paint Creek Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
Paint Creek Campground is located at 35.9784° N, 82.8445° W.

people allowed on each site: 5

Paint Creek Campground reservations and next available dates

Stay and booking rules

Maximum consecutive stay: 13 consecutive nights
Maximum stay: 13 nights

Published by Recreation.gov for Paint Creek Campground, read on September 29, 2026.

Campsites at Paint Creek Campground

12345789101112131415161718192021

Standard 17
Tent 3
Accessible 14

Amenities

restrooms
potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain · Access: Gravel road.

Things to do: fishing, swimming, hiking, biking, wildlife, photography.

All sites at Paint Creek Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Site	Loop	Type	Sleeps	Access
1	East	Standard	5	Accessible
2	East	Standard	5	-
3	East	Standard	5	-
4	East	Standard	5	Accessible
5	East	Standard	5	Accessible
7	West	Standard	5	Accessible
8	West	Standard	5	Accessible
9	West	Standard	5	Accessible
10	West	Standard	5	Accessible
11	West	Standard	5	Accessible
12	West	Standard	5	Accessible
13	West	Tent	5	-
14	West	Tent	5	-
15	West	Standard	5	-
16	West	Tent	5	-
17	West	Standard	5	Accessible
18	West	Standard	5	Accessible
19	West	Standard	5	Accessible
20	West	Standard	5	Accessible
21	West	Standard	5	Accessible

About Paint Creek Campground

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.

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.

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.

Rules and notices at Paint Creek Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check Paint Creek Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

It is your responsibility to read, know, understand, and follow all specific rules and regulations which are also posted at the campground.

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/sites/nfs/files/r08/cherokee/publication/Food%20and%20Refuse%20Storage%20Requirements.pdf

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.

The following items are expressly prohibited :

o Firearms and fireworks

o Alcohol and illegal drugs

o Public nudity

Access road is narrow and steep with some sharp curves.

Use designated fire rings for all fires. Do not build additional fire rings. No burning plastic or other non-wood materials except local wood in fire pits and charcoal in grills.

Max of 2 vehicles per site. All vehicles must be parked within the driveway or designated parking area of the site and no part of the vehicle may extend onto the road or into the woods.

Max of 5 people per site, including infants and children. Max of 2 tents and 1 canopy.

All users' equipment must be contained within the site. Sites must be kept neat and orderly.

All animals must be crated or on a leash not longer than 6 feet.

Water spigots are shared between sites.

Check-out time is 12:00PM. Check-in time is 2:00PM. If you arrive earlier, you may have to wait for a campsite.

Forest Service Volunteer Campground Hosts help manage the area and can provide visitor information.

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Paint Creek Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Paint Creek Campground?

Paint Creek Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 20 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Paint Creek Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Paint Creek Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Paint Creek Campground have?

Paint Creek Campground has 20 campsites.