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Discover Johnson County, Tennessee — a welcoming mountain community where heritage, natural beauty, and opportunity meet. Access county services, local government resources, and explore things to do in Mountain City, Shady Valley, and Butler. Stay informed, get involved, and experience the best of Northeast Tennessee. Welcome to Johnson County TN Government | Discover johnsoncountytn Mountain City Johnson County Courthouse Photo credit: Dennis Shekinah Beautiful Watauga Lake Photo credit: Sheila Stout Caldwell Johnson County Courthouse Photo credit: Dennis Shekinah 1/37 Subscribe for Updates Subscribe Now Thanks for submitting! STAY CONNECTED TODAY! BE IN THE KNOW Welcome to Johnson County TN, your destination for today, tomorrow, or a lifetime! COURTHOUSE HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm County Clerks Office Only Saturdays 8:30am-11:45am County Transfer Station Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm Saturdays 8:00am-12:00pm County Phone Directory Johnson County TN Government Public Notices Joint ECD Committee Meeting Monday, November 10 at 12:00pm County Mayor's Office Johnson County Courthouse Download Agenda Packet Planning Commission Committee Monday, November 10 at 6:00pm Upper Courtroom Johnson County Courthouse Download Agenda Packet Budget Committee Meeting Thursday,November 20 at 6:00pm Upper Courtroom Johnson County Courthouse Johnson County Commission Thursday, November 20 at 7:00pm Upper Courtroom Johnson County Courthouse Download Agenda Packet - pending LOCAL UPDATES For Hurricane Disaster Recovery Updates, please follow: Johnson County -TN Long Term Recovery Group Phone: 423-440-2883 Email: JCTNrecovery@gmail.com NOTICE FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION: You must apply for FEMA Flood Permits in the Property Assessors Office. Questions: 423-727-7692 Saturday, November 15 at 7:00pm TICKETS AVAILABLE AT NALLEY'S SHIRT SHOP IN DOWNTOWN MOUNTAIN CITY calendar of events CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE VIEW Follow Johnson County Government Featured COMMUNITY POST

Contact information, form, local weather and media links for Johnson County TN. Johnson County Courthouse and Elected Officials Directory. Let's Connect! Larry Potter, Johnson County Mayor Johnson County Courthouse 222 West Main Street Mountain City, TN. 37683 (423) 727-9696 Access Phone Directory Here Submit your questions via the form below or email us at jococontactus@gmail.com. Your inquiry will be forwarded to the department to address your question. How may we assist you? Access Phone Directory Here Circuit Court Clerk ......... 423-727-9012 Clerk & Master ............... 423-727-7853 County Clerk Office ........ 423-727-9633 Election Commission .......423-727-8592 Health Department .........423-727-9731 Highway Department ..... 423-727-7851 Johnson County Airport ... 423-727-1223 Litter Control ................. 423-501-1005 Register of Deeds .......... 423-727-7841 Trustee ....................... 423-727-9062 Veterans Affairs ........... 423-727-7929 Youth Services Officer ... 423-727-9486 First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting! LOCAL MEDIA

Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503(g), the following Public Records Policy for Johnson County, TN Government is hereby adopted by the Johnson County Commission to provide economical and efficient access to public records as provided under the Tennessee Public Records Act (“TPRA”) in Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-501, et seq. Public Open Records Policy Updated 02/18/2021 Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503(g), the following Public Records Policy for Johnson County, TN Government is hereby adopted by the Johnson County Commission to provide economical and efficient access to public records as provided under the Tennessee Public Records Act (“TPRA”) in Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-501, et seq. download policy & request form here The Public Records Request Coordinator for Johnson County is Sheila Caldwell. Requests to inspect public records may be submitted orally or in writing. Requests for copies of public records must be submitted in writing using the Public Records Request Form. Download a copy of the Public Records Policy and Request Form. Johnson County Mayor c/o Amanda Hall – email Public Records Request Coordinator 222 W. Main Street Mountain City, TN 37683 423-727-9696 Under state law, the County Clerk serves as the clerk of the county’s legislative body (County Commission). As such, they are tasked with all of the administrative duties related to the Commission, such as the recording of minutes, publishing of agendas, and providing adequate public notice of meetings. If you have questions regarding when and where meeting notices and agendas are posted, you need to contact the office of County Clerk Tammie Fenner. You can reach her office by email or by calling 423-727-9633. All documents are in PDF format and require a viewer to open the file. 2025 PUBLIC NOTICES & AGENDAS NOTICE & AGENDA: Budget Committee Meeting - January 16, 2025 AGENDA PACKET: County Commission Meeting - January 16, 2025 NOTICE: Planning Commission Meeting - February 10, 2025 NOTICE & AGENDA : Budget Committee Meeting - February 20, 2025 AGENDA PACKET: County Commission Meeting - February 20, 2025 NOTICE: Disabled Access Committee Meeting - February 24, 2025 AGENDA PACKET: Joint ECD Meeting - March 4, 2025 NOTICE & AGENDA : Beer Commission Meeting - March 10, 2025 AGENDA PACKET : Planning Commission Meeting - March 10, 2025 NOTICE & AGENDA : Budget Committee Meeting - March 20, 2025 AGENDA PACKET : County Commission Meeting - March 20, 2025 NOTICE & AGENDA : Beer Commission Meeting - April 14, 2025 NOTICE & AGENDA: Budget Committee Meeting - April 17, 2025 AGENDA PACKET : County Commission Meeting - April 17, 2025 AGENDA PACKET : County Commission Meeting - May 15, 2025 AMENDED AGENDA : County Commission Meeting - May 15, 2025 NOTICE & AGENDA : Budget Committee Meeting - June 19, 2025 AGENDA PACKET : County Commission Meeting - June 19, 2025 AGENDA PACKET : County Commission Meeting - July 17, 2025 AGENDA PACKET : Joint ECD Meeting Meeting - August 19, 2025 AGENDA PACKET : Solid Waste Committee Meeting - August 19, 2025 AGENDA PACKET : Johnson County Commission Meeting - August 21, 2025 AGENDA PACKET : Planning Commission Meeting - September 8, 2025 AGENDA PACKET : Johnson County Budget & Commission Meeting - September 18, 2025 AGENDA PACKET : Johnson County Commission Meeting - October 16, 2025 2025 COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES January 2025 February 2025 March 2025 April 2025 May 2025 June 2025 July 2025 August 2025 September 2025 October 2025 November 2025 December 2025 Find 2022 & 2023 archived records here . Find 2024 archived records here. Please note that previous years predate the launch of the website and are not available electronically.

A directory of administrative offices for Johnson County Tennessee. Johnson County Administrative Offices Russell Robinson, Director ACCOUNTS & BUDGETS 423-727-7977 The Director of Accounts and Budgets, is responsible for making sure the county books are kept in compliance with all state and local rules and regulations and in accordance with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). The Director of Accounts & Budgets and his staff work closely with the County Mayor in developing financial information for the various county departments, the Budget Committee, and the County Commission regarding all areas of finance. This office plays a key role in making sure the County is and stays in a stable financial position. Melissa Hollaway CIRCUT COURT CLERK 423-727-9012 Website - Pay Civil & Criminal Fines Some of the clerks’ duties include the following: Attending each court session with all the papers for the cases on the docket; Administering oaths to parties and witnesses who testify; Keeping minutes of the court in a well-bound book or in an electronic format so long as certain rules relating to the safekeeping of the records are followed; Maintaining the rule docket and an execution docket in which all court judgments or decrees are entered in order of rendition and all receipts and disbursements in a case are entered; & Maintaining indexes for all books and dockets that are kept by the office. Tammie Fenner JOHNSON COUNTY CLERK 423-727-9633 Website The county clerk has numerous duties, including acting as clerk of the county legislative body, issuing motor vehicle titles and registrations, collecting privilege taxes, and overseeing the issuance of beer permits & marriage licenses. Sherrie Fenner CLERK & MASTER 423-727-7853 423-727-7012 (fax) sfennerclerkandmaster@outlook.com Website Read Bio Here Cheri Lipford, Certified Administrator of Elections ELECTION COMMISSION 423-727-8592 Website The Johnson County Election Commission has the statutory responsibilities of registering voters and conducting elections. Honorable Jeffery C. Lowe GENERAL SESSIONS/JUVENILE JUDGE 423-727-9486 The criminal wing of the Sessions Court handles all criminal cases charged in the county. It can render disposition on misdemeanors and probable cause hearings on felonies. The civil wing of the Sessions Court handles all damages cases up to $25,000, all detainer summonses, and orders of protection. The Juvenile wing has exclusive jurisdiction of dependent neglect children, truant children, and unruly children. It also legitimates children and collects child support on behalf of the children under its jurisdiction. Jeff Wagner HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT 196 Pleasant Valley Road | Mountain City, TN 37683 423-727-7851 Sandy Hammons, Litter Control Officer LITTER CONTROL Recycling Center Address: Election Avenue | Mountain City, TN 37683 423-501-1005 Matthew Lewis, Assessor PROPERTY ASSESSOR 423-727-7692 The assessor’s duties include two basic functions: appraisal and assessment of taxable real and personal property in the county that is not appraised by the state. NOTICE FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION : You must apply for FEMA Flood Permits in the Property Assessors Office. Questions: 423-727-7692 Freida May, Register of Deeds REGISTER OF DEEDS 423-727-7841 Website The primary function of the register is to make and preserve a record of instruments required or allowed by law to be filed or recorded, including but not limited to deeds, powers of attorney, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, contracts, plats, leases, judgments, wills, court orders, military discharges, records under the Uniform Commercial Code (primarily fixture filings),and other types of documents. T.C.A. § 66-24-101. The records provide public notice of property ownership, liens, contracts, and other transactions that affect the public interest. The register’s office is in the county seat, and the records and papers must remain in the office at all times. T.C.A. §§ 8-13-106, 8-13-107. Leah Charland, Community Coordinator SAFE BABY COURT 423-460-4491 Safe Baby Court is a specialized court program that was established for infants and toddlers (birth through 3 years of age). The program strives to find new ways for families to connect with community service providers and provide a strong foundation for infant mental health. The goal is to reduce maltreatment and traumatic experience during significant brain development of infants and toddlers, while increasing family accountability in conjunction with community program interaction to achieve permanency. Children served are either at risk of entering foster care or currently in care. Mayor Larry Potter SOLID WASTE 423-727-6921 378 Industrial Park Road | Mountain City, TN 37683 TRANSFER STATION HOURS Monday- Friday 8:00am-4:00p m | Saturdays 8:00am-12:00pm Closed on recognized holidays Lisa J. Crowder TRUSTEE 423-727-9062 Johnson County Courthouse | 222 W Main Street | Mountain City, TN Website The county trustee has three major functions among other duties: (1) collecting the county’s property taxes; (2) accounting for and disbursing county funds (including proper apportionment and determination of fund availability); and (3) investing temporarily idle county funds. Bill Caldwell & Karen Manuel VETERAN'S AFFAIRS & SAFETY 208 College Street | Mountain City, TN 37694 423-727-7929 Karen Manuel - email Bill Caldwell, VSO - email The Johnson County Veterans Service Office is available to assist and answer any questions you may have with your veteran benefit claims. They also provide assistance with insurance issues and supplemental policy information, as well as information for low-income veterans, their families and neighbors. Cameron Stanberry YOUTH SERVICES OFFICER 423-727-9486 The Youth Services Officer of the County meets with unruly and delinquent juveniles and their families to counsel the youth, make appropriate referrals to public as well as private agencies, and to provide information for us by the court. Ryan Carroll JOHNSON COUNTY ATTORNEY 423-727-9671

Johnson County is home to many great protected natural resources which have driven the growth in our Tourism sector. We are known as mountain and lake country, since our county consists of four mountains, three valleys and one big lake. Johnson County Tourism This is a great time to become part of the growing Tourism market in Johnson County. Please visit our new Tourism Website and follow us on our Facebook page ! Local and community events will continue to be promoted, for FREE, on this website. Have questions? Email us ! We are home to many great protected natural resources which have driven the growth in our Tourism sector. We are known as mountain and lake country, since our county consists of four mountains, three valleys and one big lake. We offer many types of outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, fishing, paddling, camping, ATV touring and motorcycle touring. Our goal is to preserve, protect and promote these great natural wonders, for the benefit of our residents and visitors to our area. Johnson County is also known as the birthplace of Bluegrass Music! Enjoy a walk through beautiful downtown Mountain City, where a series of murals tell the story of Johnson County's rich musical heritage. Pick up a map on the front porch of Johnson County Center for the Arts or download your printable PDF Map here ! Our main attractions include Watauga Lake which offers a variety of water sports, and the Doe Mountain Recreation Area, offering 8,600 acres of mountain terrain with several types of adventure trails. We are also home to the Snake 421Motorcycle and Sport Car Route which offers some of the best motorcycle touring in the region. Johnson County is also designated as part of an American Viticultural Area with a beautiful vineyard that produces high quality wine grapes for two local wineries. This designation means that our area has the geographic features for producing high quality wine grapes. This recognition will influence the growth of the wine industry.

Contact directory for Johnson County TN Mayor and county officials and government departments. At a Glance Phone Directory US Title Search Johnson County TN Election Commission Johnson County TN Chamber of Commerce Doe Mountain Recreation Area Johnson County Officials County Mayor Larry Potter 222 West Main Street Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-9696 Sheriff Clifton Worley 216 Honeysuckle St. Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-7761 Administrator of Elections Cheri Lipford PO Box 106 Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-8592 Assessor of Property Mathew Lewis 210 College St. Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-7692 Circuit and General Sessions Courts Clerk Melissa Holloway PO Box 73 Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-9012 Clerk and Master Sherrie Fenner PO Box 196 Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-7853 County Attorney Ryan Carroll 222 West Main St. Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-9671 County Clerk Tammie Fenner 222 West Main St. Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-9633 Director of Accounts and Budgets Russell Robinson 211 North Church St. Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-7977 General Sessions / Juvenile Court Judge Hon. Jeffery C. Lowe 222 West Main Street Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-9486 Johnson County Purchasing Agent Troy Arnold 211 North Church St. Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-7861 Register of Deeds Freida May 222 West Main St. Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-7841 Road Superintendent Jeff Wagner 196 Pleasant Valley Road Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-7851 Trustee Lisa Crowder PO Box 22 Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-9062 Quick Links Johnson County TN Election Commission Voter Information Election Results

A directory of the Johnson County TN Board of Education members and schools. At a Glance School Directory Johnson County High School 290 Fairground Hill Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-2620 website Johnson County Middle School 278 Fairground Hill Mountain City, TN 37683 Phone: (423)727-2600 website Doe Elementary School 7164 Highway 67 Mountain City, TN 37683 Phone: 423-727-2682 website Laurel Elementary School 300 Gentry Creek Road Laurel Bloomery, TN 37680 Phone: 423-727-2685 website Mountain City Elementary School 301 Donnelly Street Mountain City, TN 37683 Phone: (423) 727-2621 website Roan Creek Elementary School 2410 Roan Creek Road Mountain City, TN 37683 Phone: (423) 727-4964 website Johnson County Board of Education Director of Schools Dr. Mischelle Simcox 211 North Church St. Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-2640 School Board 1st District Mr. Russell G. Robinson rrobinson@jocoed.net School Board 2nd District Chair Mr. Chad Greever chadgreever@protonmail.com School Board 2nd District Vice Chair OPEN SEAT School Board 3rd District Mr. Gary Matheson glmatheson51@gmail.com School Board 3rd District Mr. Kevin Long kevin_kim83@yahoo.com Contact Information Johnson County Board of Education 211 North Church Street Mountain City, TN 37683 Phone: 423-727-2640 Fax: 423-727-2663 website | facebook

Explore the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains Tennessee; discover attractions, outdoor adventures, and family-friendly activities. Johnson County Attractions Nestled in the scenic Appalachian Highlands, Johnson County, Tennessee offers a blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the crystal-clear waters of Watauga Lake, hike or ride the trails at Doe Mountain Recreation Area, or take a drive along The Snake, a famed route for motorcyclists. Charming Mountain City boasts unique shops, local dining, and the Musical Heritage Mural Mile, celebrating the area’s deep roots in old-time and bluegrass music. History lovers can visit the Museum of Butler to learn about the “Town That Wouldn’t Drown,” while nearby vineyards, farm markets, and seasonal festivals make Johnson County a year-round destination Tennessee's Best Kept Secret Johnson County is home to many types of attractions including historical sites, museums, theater, parks and music. There are also several nature based attractions such as Watauga Lake, Doe Mountain Recreation Area, and the Snake Motorcycle and Sports Car Route. Continue to scroll down for more videos and links to more to do! In April of 2023, Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Legislative Body designated the iconic rock anthem, Copperhead Road by Steve Earle, as the 12th State song. In honor of this recognition, Johnson County Tourism partnered with The Waterfront Group to create a very unique landmark to capture the musical history and moonshine legends of this area of Tennessee. The landmark is free to visit and we encourage photos! The unveiling of the Copperhead Road Landmark in 2024 also kicked off the Copperhead Road Music Fest held over Memorial Day! Our Log Cabin Welcome Center warmly welcomes visitors to Johnson County. It is conveniently located on Hwy 421, in the middle of Mountain City, which is our county seat. Here you will find a small history museum with exhibits that present our history and showcases original artifacts and pictures from the past. Johnson County Welcome Center Open Monday-Friday only. 716 S Shady St, Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-5800 Antiquing In Johnson County, you will find small and large antique shops for those searching for new treasures during their visit here. Appalachian Trail The famous 2,100 mile hiking trail meanders through our area offering some of the best hiking in the world. In our area this trail will take you along mountain ridges overlooking Shady Valley around pristine Watauga Lake and actually across the Watauga Dam and by incredible Laurel Falls. Backbone Rock Our county is home to Backbone Rock which is a natural wonder located in the Cherokee National Forest. It is known as the shortest railroad tunnel in the world. This unique rock formation hovers over Hwy 91 and provides a lasting memory. There is also a picnic area and hiking trails for your enjoyment. BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND AND PAVILIONS IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO EFFECTS FROM HELENE. Doe Mountain State and local governments purchased Doe Mountain to keep it from being commercially developed and to provide an outdoor recreation area for this part of Northeast Tennessee. This 8,600 acre family wilderness area provides over 50 miles of blazed adventure trails for ATV riders, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Eco-Agriculture The history of Johnson County is rooted in rural American farming, the timber industry and mining industry. The county has transformed into a tourism destination with some eco-agriculture attractions such as Harbin Hills Farm, an organic farming operation with the Mountain Music Stage venue featuring music performances by some talented local musicians. Our county is also part of an American Viticulture Area which is a designation for areas that have the right geographic features to produce high quality wine grapes. We have a thriving vineyard and two local wineries serving award winning wines. The Watauga Lake Winery is located in a restored historic school building where you can participate in tours of the winery facilities and enjoy wine tastings. The vineyard offers a touch of Tuscany where you can dine while enjoying incredible views and attend some of the many scheduled events during the year. Heritage Hall This theater is a quality venue showcasing some great theatrical productions and musical performances. The theater venue is actually located in a restored turn of the century building and features an active calendar of events. Johnson County Farmer's Market The main work of the Johnson County Farmers Market is to help strengthen a sustainable local agricultural and food economy. Follow us on Facebook for current schedules and locations: @johnsoncountyfarmersmarket Johnson County Museum of History The Johnson County Welcome Center houses a small History Museum that presents the history of our area, our rural Appalachian culture and our long musical heritage. There are some nice exhibits to view as you learn about our history There is no cost to tour this museum. Johnson County Veterans Memorial Wall Located in Ralph Stout Park in Mountain City Tennessee, the Johnson County Veterans Memorial Wall commemorates our local hometown heroes that have served our great nation proudly. As they have stood for us, so shall we stand for them. Our Veterans Memorial Wall honors our brave service men and women and their sacrifice to protect our freedom and their courage to uphold their oaths to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. Museum of Butler TN This first rate museum will amaze you with its quality exhibits and original photographs that bring to life the relocation of the town of Butler to make way for the creation of Watauga Lake. This museum is open on weekends between Memorial Day and late October. Guided tours are available by appointment. The Johnson County Center for the Arts The Art Center is located in Heritage Square in downtown Mountain City, Tennessee. This non-profit art center showcases Appalachian crafts, art and products produced by local artisans. They also offer a very active art class schedule, so be sure to check out the schedule to find a class in which you would like to participate. The Snake The famous Snake 421 Motorcycle and Sports Car Route runs through our county providing some of the best motorcycle touring in the southeastern United States. The Shady Valley Country Store is the hub for this ride and is located at the intersection of US Hwy 421 and TN Hwy 91 in Shady Valley, Tennessee. You are invited to come and ride the 489 curves over two mountains and through one valley. Trade Grist Mill The mill is located on the east side of US 421 in the village of Trade, on the TN/NC border. While the mill is located at the back of the road, it can easily be seen from the highway. Originally known as the Jones, May, Snyder Mill, it is now called the Trade Grist Mill. The mill was built around 1802 by Thomas Jones who migrated from North Carolina and homesteaded land on Roan Creek in an area known as Key Station, near Trade. Watauga Lake Johnson County is on the north side of Watauga Lake in the southern Appalachian Mountains. This is one of the cleanest lakes in America making it a choice family lake destination. There are public beach areas, picnic areas, campgrounds and boat ramps. Here you can enjoy a variety of water sports such as skiing, sailing, pontoon boats, canoeing and kayaking in a cool clean mountain lake. Watauga Lake Winery Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, our Watauga Lake Winery revives a 40s-era school house rich in lore against a stunning mountain backdrop. Our Annual Festivals SHADY VALLEY FESITVAL OF QUILTS APRIL MOUNTAIN CITY SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL JULY LONG JOURNEY HOME LABOR DAY WEEKEND SEPTEMBER COPPERHEAD ROAD MUSIC FEST TBA OLD BUTLER DAYS SELMA CURTIS PARK AUGUST TRADE MILL DAYS CURRENTLY SUSPENDED TBA MOUNTAIN CITY FIDDLERS CONVENTION OCTOBER CRANBERRY FESTIVAL SHADY ROCK SCHOOL OCTOBER CHRISTMAS ON MAIN FIRST SATURDAY DECEMBER

The organization of Johnson County took place in 1836 and was named for Thomas Johnson, a leading citizen of Carter County and an early settler on the Doe River. History of Johnson County In 1761, Daniel Boone came through the area that is now Johnson County. There were two early settlements in the area in the late 1760’s and the 1770’s. One settlement was known as “The Trade Gap”, which was a trading post for Indians and traders, in the south east side of the county. This community is now known as Trade . The other early settlement was on Roane Creek, near the confluence with the Watauga River. Other settlements were made soon after further up Roane Creek and on Little Doe. The organization of Johnson County took place in 1836 and was named for Thomas Johnson, a leading citizen of Carter County and an early settler on the Doe River. Johnson County was created from parts of Carter County, because of the long distance to travel to the county seat in Elizabethton. The first session of the county court was begun and held at the Pleasant Grove School House on May 2, 1836. In October of 1836, the county commissioners were given authority to contract for the building of a court house. It took about a year to complete the structure. Two years later the jail was completed. In 1836, the county seat was originally named Taylorsville in honor of Colonel James Taylor. The name was changed to Mountain City in the 1885, to reflect it being in one of the highest valleys in Tennessee. Because the county was so remote, the railroads did not reach the area until the early 1900’s. The arrival of the railroads greatly influenced the development of the timber and manganese mining industries. Learn more about our rich heritage by visiting the Johnson County Museum in Mountain City and the Museum of Butler !

Food Stamp; Families First; Child Care Certificate; Medicaid; and TennCare for Johnson County TN Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Johnson County Department of Human Services Dist. 1, Cty. #46 370 Cold Springs Road Mountain City, Tennessee 37683-4022 Office Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Phone: (423) 727-7704 FAX: (423) 727-4404 FIELD MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR 1 - Colene Conover Services: Food Stamp; Families First; Child Care Certificate; Medicaid; and TennCare - Click here for more information and to apply.

Johnson County TN is a mountain and lake country with many types of outdoor recreation and adventures. Embrace the great outdoors ... arts ... music ... history ... and culture that is Johnson County! We are mountain and lake country with many types of outdoor recreation and adventures. Our visitor attractions include Doe Mountain with beautiful hiking, biking and ATV trails boasting incredible views. Enjoy water sports or just relax along with the current on the incomparable Watauga Lake. If you have a real sense of adventure, you'll find some of the best motorcycle and Jeep touring in the region along The Snake. For those seeking a more relaxed pace, marvel at the amazing mountain vistas at Villa Nove Vineyards or (the haunted) Watauga Lake Winery. Celebrate our rich musical heritage as the birthplace of Old Time Bluegrass Music at one of our festivals or take the Musical Heritage Mural Walk. Visit the best kept secret in Tennessee! Find Places to Stay | Visit our Calendar of Events | Discover Local Attractions DISC GOLF Our county has a good Frisbee Golf Course that is located in the Ralph Stout Park in Mountain City. The course was established in 2009 with great signage and regulation size baskets. It offers 9 holes/baskets and is a Par 27 course. The course is 2540 feet in length over a mostly flat and lightly wooded area. This is a good course in a nice setting. download disc golf map LOCAL PARKS The Ralph Stout Park in Mountain City offers a great setting with mature trees, park benches, a beautiful pond with home geese and good walking trails. There is a large picnic pavilion, playground, baseball field and skateboard park. The park is also home to a disc golf course, an excellent fitness trail and an outdoor stage for music events. The park features the Johnson County Memorial Wall honoring veterans from our area. John Cunningham Park is located on College Street adjacent to the Community Center in downtown Mountain City and has a playground, pickleball courts, swimming pool facilities, and a little league baseball field with concession stand. The Butler Ruritan Community Park is located in Butler across from the Butler Depot at 114 Piercetown Road. HIKING Our area offers some of the best hiking in the region. Trails for all difficulty levels offer great views, waterfalls and historical sites. Laurel Creek Trail is an easy-to-hike wildlife haven in the Cherokee National Forest. The Cross Mountain Trail is a scenic moderate-level hike that overlooks beautiful Shady Valley. Gentry Creek Falls Trail is a harder level back forest trail that crosses the creek 14 times as it meanders for 4 ½ miles through the deep woods to an incredible double waterfall. There are many more nice trails in our area including a good section of the world famous Appalachian Trail. view walking & hiking trails BIKING Our area has good on-road and off-road biking opportunities. Our on-road choices include peaceful country roads, challenging climbs up mountains and thrilling downhill winding descends. For off-road biking enthusiasts, mountain biking is allowed at Doe Mountain Recreation Area on most of their Multi-Use Trails. For those who are seeking a milder trail biking experience, the famous Virginia Creeper Trail, in nearby Damascus, Virginia, offers an excellent choice. Here you will find many biking outfitters providing bike rentals and shuttle service. FISHING Our area is a fishing paradise offering some of the best fishing in our region. We have an abundance of creeks providing excellent fly fishing. We are home to pristine Watauga Lake where you can enjoy some great reel fishing by boat and shoreline. We also are home to Doe Creek, known for its great fishing holes. There are several fishing guide services available for those seeking a guided trip. CAMPING There are all types of camping available in our area from primitive camping to luxury camping. We actually have a full-service campground located on the hill behind the Johnson County Welcome Center, which is part of our tourism initiative. There are also several privately owned campgrounds offering everything from primitive camping to full service camping to glamping. HORSEBACK RIDING In our area, equestrians can choose between back roads, trails and wide open areas. We have many peaceful backroads choices all over the county. Horses are permitted on most Multi-Use Trails at Doe Mountain Recreation Area. In nearby Damascus, Virginia, horses are permitted on the famous Virginia Creeper Trail. For some longer trails with wide open areas, you can visit nearby Mount Rogers Recreation Area and Grayson Highlands State Park. These areas provide a series of trails and here you can access the 68 mile Virginia Highlands Trail. WATER SPORTS Johnson County is located on the north side of beautiful Watauga Lake, which is one of the cleanest lakes in America. Here you can enjoy a variety of water sports in an inspiring setting. There are public beach areas, picnic areas, campgrounds and boat ramps. There are a number of marinas on the lake to service the boat activity and to provide boat rentals. For those seeking other rentals or guided trips, there are also several outfitters available on or near the lake. MOTORCYCLING Our county is home to the famous Snake 421 Motorcycle and Sport Car Route. This route offers something for all types of riders. There are challenging tight curves, sweeping wide turns, exciting winding descends and easy to cruise sections. Here you can experience a beautiful valley, a lush National Forest, winding mountain roads and rolling farm land. The hub for the Snake is the Shady Valley Country Store at the main intersection in Shady Valley. ATV RIDING Doe Mountain Recreation Area in our county features 8,600 acres of protected mountain terrain offering over 50 miles of blazed adventure trails. The most prominent type of adventure here is ATV riding. Here you will find trails of all difficulty levels. This is a great family wilderness area. Visit their website here. MURAL MILE WALK Enjoy a walk through beautiful downtown Mountain City, where a series of murals tell the story of Johnson County's rich musical heritage. Pick up a map on the front porch of Johnson County Center for the Arts or download your printable PDF Map here! Visit the Long Journey Home website to learn more about The Musical Heritage Mural Mile tour. PICKLEBALL A fun sport for young and old alike, Pickleball is becoming one of the fast-growing sports in Johnson County. Local players and teams currently play outdoors on the courts located at the Mountain Community Center. Open play sessions and lessons are available.