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. Johnson County Courthouse Photo credit: Dennis Shekinah Doe Mountain Recreation Area Beautiful Watauga Lake Photo credit: Sheila Stout Caldwell Johnson County Courthouse Photo credit: Dennis Shekinah 1/41 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 PLANNING COMMITTEE Monday, March 2 at 6:00pm Upper Courtroom - Courthouse DOWNLOAD AGENDA PACKET NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS The 2025 Johnson County property taxes must be paid without interest by February 28, 2026 You may pay the following ways: At the Trustee's Office located at the Courthouse By Mail: PO Box 22 - Mountain City, TN 37683 Online at TNPropTax.com March 1, 2026 1.5% interest will be added for each month the taxes are delinquent. For more information, call the Trustee's Office at 423-727-9062. 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 CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE VIEW Don't forget to download the new EMA app to get weather updates and notifications during emergencies in Johnson County. Scan the QR code or search for Johnson County TN EMA on Google or Apple Play Store. Fe bruary 20-22 & February 27-28 calendar of events Follow Johnson County Government Featured COMMUNITY POST

Find Johnson County TN events and programs on our Calendar of Events. click on image to enlarge view 1/22 Johnson County Calendar of Events event submission guidelines submit your event for free

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 ! Thinking of establishing a campground or RV park in Johnson County? Find out what you need to do before you start! The Johnson County contact person for TN Campground Regulations and permits, including primitive campgrounds is: Grayson Krtausch Grayson.krtausch@tn.gov 423.279.1616 Johnson County is blessed with an abundance of protected natural resources that continue to fuel the growth of our tourism economy. Known as “mountain and lake country,” our landscape is defined by four mountains, three valleys, and one spectacular lake — creating a setting that is both scenic and adventure-ready. Visitors and residents alike enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, fishing, paddling, camping, ATV riding, and motorcycle touring. From the pristine waters of Watauga Lake to the expansive trails of Doe Mountain Recreation Area, our goal is to preserve, protect, and promote these natural treasures for generations to come. Johnson County is also proudly recognized as the birthplace of Bluegrass music — a heritage that continues to shape our cultural identity today. Take a stroll through beautiful downtown Mountain City, where a series of vibrant murals tell the story of our rich musical legacy. Pick up a walking tour map on the front porch of the Johnson County Center for the Arts, or download a printable PDF to begin exploring at your own pace. Our signature attractions include Watauga Lake, a pristine mountain lake known for boating, fishing, paddling, and a wide variety of water sports, and the Doe Mountain Recreation Area, offering 8,600 acres of scenic mountain terrain with multi-use adventure trails for off-road vehicles, hiking, and outdoor exploration. We are also home to The Snake 421, one of the region’s premier motorcycle and sports car touring routes, featuring thrilling curves and breathtaking Appalachian views. Johnson County is proudly designated as part of an American Viticultural Area (AVA), recognizing our region’s unique geographic and climate characteristics ideal for producing high-quality wine grapes. This designation supports continued growth of our local wine industry, highlighted by a beautiful vineyard that supplies exceptional grapes to two area wineries and strengthens our emerging agritourism economy.

Information regarding business, industry, and or economic development; entrepreneurial endeavors; tourism; media relations; or for official RFI (request for information) requests. Business Development There are tremendous opportunities to grow and develop your business here in Johnson County. For information or questions regarding business, industry, and or economic development; entrepreneurial endeavors; tourism; media relations; or for official RFI (request for information) requests, please contact: Johnson County Mayor Larry Potter 222 West Main Street Mountain City, TN. 37683 (423) 727-9696 Email us! Online Business Development Resources Johnson County Chamber of Commerce MainStreet Tenneessee Tennessee Valley Authority The First Tennessee Development TN 3 Star Community

If interested in employment with Johnson County, please pick up and submit an employment application from the Mayor’s Office at the Johnson County Courthouse. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES If interested in employment with Johnson County, please pick up and submit an employment application from the Mayor’s Office at the Johnson County Courthouse. You may also download and print the employment application here . Equal Employment Opportunity Information

The Johnson County Purchasing Department is maintaining a registry of vendors who have expressed an interest in doing business with the Johnson County Government. SURPLUS PROPERTY FOR SALE ON GOVDEALS.COM County Government Surplus Items Highway Department Surplus Items Sheriff’s Department Surplus Items Open RFQ A&E Services County Purchasing Manual Click Here to View Open Solicitations Listing on Vendor Registry INVITATION TO BID - download Qualified state-licensed general contractors are invited to participate in the bidding phase for the following Nine (9) residential projects through the First Tennessee Development District: • Demolition and Reconstruction of Three (3) Homes under the Carter County, Tennessee THDA HOME Disaster Recovery Grant Housing program. • Demolition and Reconstruction of Two (2) Homes under the Johnson County, Tennessee THDA HOME Disaster Recovery Grant Housing Program. • Manufactured HOME Replacement of One (1) Home under the Johnson County, Tennessee THDA HOME Disaster Recovery Grant Housing Program. • Emergency Repairs of Three (3) Homes under First Tennessee Development Districts – THDA ERP Grant program. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, at 9:00 am. The conference will be held at the First Tennessee Development District, 3211 N Roan St, Johnson City, Tennessee. For initial instructions, bid documents and questions please contact Rene’ Mann at 423-268-2677. All state-licensed general contractors wishing to participate in bidding on the projects under the Carter County and Johnson County, Tennessee THDA HOME Disaster Recovery programs are strongly encouraged to attend this pre-bid conference. The contractor shall follow Federal requirements as set forth in 24 CFR 5.105(a) Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity, including: Section 3 of the Housing & Urban Development Act of 1968 24 CFR 135 (12 U.S.C. 1701u) and implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 135, as amended. Carter County, Tennessee, Johnson County, Tennessee, and the First Tennessee Development District are Equal Opportunity Employers and urge the participation of minority and female contractors. Johnson County Purchasing Department Troy Arnold, Purchasing Agent 211 North Church Street | Mountain City, TN 37683 Phone: 423-727-7861 | Fax: 423-727-7418 Email: purchasing@johnsoncountytn.gov Vendor Registration – Click Here The Johnson County Purchasing Department is maintaining a registry of vendors who have expressed an interest in doing business with the Johnson County Government. If you would like to add your business to this registry, please complete registration by clicking on the link above and follow the instructions. As needs arise for a particular product or service, the purchasing department uses this registry as one of several sources to find potential suppliers. Please note that the Johnson County Purchasing Department cannot guarantee that this registry will be utilized or that any vendor will be notified of every solicitation for quotes, bids, or proposals for which it wishes to compete. Public Notice advertisements for formal bids and proposals are placed within The Tomahawk newspaper of Mountain City, TN at minimum 2-weeks prior to the scheduled response deadline. PROTEST PROCEDURE Any protest concerning the award of any bid or proposal shall be addressed to the Johnson County, TN Purchasing Agent. Protest shall be made in writing to the Purchasing Agent and shall be filed within five (5) business days after the intended award is announced. A protest is considered filed when received by the Purchasing Agent and written confirmation is given back to the protester. The written protest shall include the name and address of the protester, identification of the procurement, a statement of the specific reasons for the protest and supporting exhibits. The submitted information will be reviewed with the appropriate Department Head and County Attorney to render a final decision and a formal response provided within five days. This decision relative to the protest shall be considered final.

Johnson County TN is a Three Star Community and strive for excellence in community development. We know that at the heart of a competitive economic development strategy is community development, so we diligently work to enhance and improve our community assets. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT There are tremendous opportunities to grow and develop your business in Johnson County. We are experiencing economic growth in our business sectors, tourism industry and real estate market. We are continually expanding our county services to meet the needs of our economic development. We are a Three Star Community and strive for excellence in community development. We know that at the heart of a competitive economic development strategy is community development, so we diligently work to enhance and improve our community assets. You are welcome to come and be part of our economic growth. Tennessee is a right to work state. Johnson County Tennessee Business and Training Services for Your Company include . . . Skilled, competent employees are the linchpin of your company. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Industrial Training Service (ITS) offers a wide variety of workforce training development and support services to both new and established companies through the state. ITS can help you meet your initial training needs, assist in developing a customized training program, and help offset instructional expenses. In short, ITS can help you build the workforce your company needs to succeed. Additional Training from the Industrial Training Service include . . . Skilled, competent employees are the linchpin of your company. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Industrial Training Service (ITS) offers a wide variety of workforce training development and support services to both new and established companies through the state. ITS can help you meet your initial training needs, assist in developing a customized training program, and help offset instructional expenses. In short, ITS can help you build the workforce your company needs to succeed. Employee Recruitment & Screening Recruitment and screening services will be provided by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Utilizing the client/company’s prepared job specifications, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development will recruit and screen persons for their company. Those individuals who meet the business’s specifications will be referred to the company for employment considerations. Pre-employment Assistance Pre-employment instruction is designed to focus on developing entry level skills in new employees. The program caninclude basic skills upgrade and allows the company to observe participants for employee placement. Job Specific Training Formal classroom training instructs prospective employees in specific skills which is designed for a particular company’sneeds. On-The-Job Training (OJT) Instruction that focuses on the development of specific skills and knowledge vital to production. Training is provided by company technicians and or instructor mutually acceptable to the Industrial Training Services and the company. Training may take place in the classroom or at the company site. Vendor – or manufacturer of actual products or service equipment may be used by the client when utilizing delivery of specific skill training. System Support Instruction associated with plant wide applications. Instruction may include new methods for increasing mechanization, quality, materials handling, etc. Development and Coordination support the cost association with the development of instructional materials and coordination of the overall training program. Workforce Development Leadership training is directed to providing supervisors’ team leaders, and managers with the interpersonal skills necessary to motivate and lead production. workers towards accomplishing organizational goals. Team Training is provided for manufacturing/production employees where interpersonal communication is important in fostering interdependence, cooperation, commitment, motivation, etc. Instruction Certification of company personnel insures the availability of certified instructors not only at start up but also on a long term basis. The week-long certification seminar provides candidates with the facilitation skills necessary to deliver a wide range of program.

Location, contact information and links for the Johnson County TN Senior Center located in Mountain City. CALL 423-460-6012 FOR INFORMATION OR SERVICE MyRide is a transportation program for the seniors 60+ of Johnson County, TN. We have well trained and background checked volunteer drivers. The transportation can be for anything from grocery shopping to hair dresser or pharmacy etc. Call us if you need rides and can ambulate on your own or using a walker or cane (no wheelchairs). We are always accepting new qualifying riders or volunteer drivers. The funding for this project was provided by a grant awarded by the Davidson County Chancery Court, Part III from the Senior Trust/Elder Trust Settlement (Case No. 11-1548-111) and through a contract administered by the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability. Follow MyRide Johnson County on Facebook ! Johnson County Senior Center 128 College Street | Mountain City, Tennessee Phone: 423-727-8883 Visit their website here ! Click for Senior Center Facebook Page Hours 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM WATCH OUR VIDEO TO LEARN MORE!

The Johnson County/Mountain City Community Center offers after school and summer programming to the students of Johnson County. These services are made possible through County/City funding, grants, and contributions. The center is also used by several local organizations as a meeting place. Hours: 10:00am - 6:00pm (Summer Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm - According to school schedule) Johnson County/Mountain City Community Center Joey Beth Souder, Director 214 College St Mountain City, TN 37683 (423) 727-2942 Email: jsouder@mountaincitytn.org County/City Community Center The Johnson County/Mountain City Community Center offers weekly and monthly activities, including crafting, book club, health and wellness activities, and much more. For students, the Center offers after-school tutoring, activities, and an after-school meal/snack sponsored by local businesses and other generous donors. The Center also provides many local organizations with a monthly or weekly meeting place and is available to rent for special events. For more information about the Community Center and what the center has to offer, or to inquire about renting event space, please contact the Center at (423) 727-2942. Information regarding upcoming events, classes, closures or other schedule changes is also posted on our facebook page. Be sure to follow us to stay up-to-date on all of our activities! For more information about the center, please follow us on Facebook !

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 !

Contact information for the Johnson County Tennessee Sheriff Johnson County Sheriff Clifton Worley, Jr. 216 Honeysuckle St. Mountain City, TN 37683 Phone: 423-727-7761 Fax: 423-727-5794 Email: sheriffcw@johnsoncountysd.org Visit Website

If you are looking for a special place to stay in Johnson County, check out our AirBnBs, Bed and Breakfast Inns and campgrounds. Places to Stay No matter where you choose to stay in Johnson County, you will be surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of our mountain ranges, serene views of our lakes and streams and the scents of unspoiled nature. Whether you love the convenience and hominess of a Bed & Breakfast or the rustic experience at one of our campgrounds, you will find warm hospitality across the county. If you have a Bed & Breakfast, AirBnB or Campground not listed, please let us know! add your location See Local Atrractions | Visit our Calendar of Events | Discover Things to Do JOHNSON COUNTY ACCOMODATIONS BIGFOOT MOUNTAIN LAIR 596 Forge Creek Circle Mountain City, TN 37683 website BROOKSIDE MOUNTAIN COTTAGES 579 Trout Run Road Mountain City, TN 37683 423-895-3155 email BUTLER DEPOT AT WATAUGA LAKE 114 Piercetown Road Butler, TN 37640 423-727-3333 email BUTLER RELAXING & FUN CABIN AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website BUTTERMILK ACRES 240 Buttermilk Road Trade , TN 37691 423-727-1717 email CHEROKEE CREEK LODGE 268 Moreland Drive Butler , TN 37640 423-444-2518 facebook CHEROKEE FOREST MOUNTAIN CABINS 798 Grindstaff Road Butler, TN 37640 423-768-4484 CHESTNUT RETREAT AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website COZY FARMHOUSE AirBnB Shady Valley, TN 37688 website CREEKSIDE CHALET 138A Moreland Drive Butler, TN 37640 423-768-2446 email CREEKSIDE CABIN Mountain Getaways Butler, TN 37640 website DOE VALLEY FARM CABINS 313 Stage Coach Loop Mountain City, TN 37683 423-270-1009 ENTIRE CABIN IN BUTLER AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website FARMHOUSE WITH 4 BEDROOMS Mountain Getaways Mountain City, TN 376683 website FLYFISHTN9 VACATION RENTAL AirBnB Shady Valley, TN 37688 website FRONT PORCH LIVING AirBnB Shady Valley, TN 37688 website GENTRY CREEK INN & STABLES 1959 Gentry Creek Road Laurel Bloomery, TN 37680 423-727-7080 email GRACE SPRINGS RANCH AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website GUEST HOUSE CABIN - DOE MTN AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website HOLLER HIDEAWAY AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website LAKE & MOUNTAIN VIEWS HOME AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website HOLLER HOMESTEAD AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website IRON MOUNTAIN INN B&B 175 Moreland Drive Butler, TN 37640 423-768-2446 email LAKE & MOUNTAIN VIEW HOME AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website LAKEFRONT HOME IN BUTLER Evolve Butler, TN 37640 website LAUREL MOUNTAIN LODGE AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website THE LOG CABIN INN 3711 Highway 421 South Mountain City, TN 37683 423-440-5882 LOON TUNES COTTAGE Watauga Lakefront Retreat Butler, TN 37640 website MAMAW'S PLACE/FARM AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website MOUNTAIN TOP FARM SUITE AirBnB - Camper/RV Mountain City, TN 37683 website MOUNTAIN & LAKE VIEW CABIN AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website PRIVATE CABIN - DOG FRIENDLY AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website SHADY LANE FARM HOMESTEAD VRBO & AirBnB Shady Valley, TN 37688 website SILVER KEYS BED & BREAKFAST 6583 Highway 67 W Mountain City, TN 37683 423-727-9451 STILL WATERS LODGE Watauga Lake Butler, TN 37640 919-600-8034 email SUGAR HOLLOW RETREAT 5793 Hwy 321 Butler, TN 37640 423-768-3105 email SUNSET RETREAT AirBnB on Watauga Lake Butler, TN 37640 website TINY HOME IN MOUNTAIN CITY AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website TINY HOUSE IN MOUNTAIN CITY AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37683 website THE WAGON WHEEL AirBnB Mountain City, TN 37693 website WATAUGA LAKE CABIN AirBnB Butler, TN 37640 website WHIPKINS COVE VRBO - Watauga Lake Butler, TN 37640 website WHITE FENCE FARM AirBnB Trade, TN 37691 website add your location JOHNSON COUNTY CAMPGROUNDS BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND 9941 Hwy 133 Shady Valley, TN 37688 423-735-1500 BACKWOODS FARM CAMPGROUND 134 Joe Dugger Lane Butler,TN 37640 423-281-2394 BAYVIEW CAMPGROUND 16335 Highway 67 W Butler, TN 37640 423-768-0434 CAMP FAITH 5340 Highway 321 Butler, TN 37640 423-302-9783 CAMP WATAUGA 16509 Hwy 67 W Butler, TN 37640 423-388-8974 CORN CREEK CAMPGROUND North 2374 US-421 Mountain City, TN 37683 423-460-3135 COVE RIDGE MARINA & RESORT 947 Piercetown Road Butler, TN 37640 423-768-3760 DOE VALLEY CAMPGROUND 271 Pedro Shoun Lane Mountain City, TN 37683 423-218-9129 FISH TRAILS CAMPGROUND 177 Robert Roark Lane Laurel Bloomery, TN 37680 423-444-1545 FORGE MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND 1677 South Shady Street Mountain City, TN 37683 423-895-3093 OLD MILL MUSIC & RV PARK 7281 Highway 91N Laurel Bloomery, TN 37680 423-791-8590 PIONEER LANDING CAMPGROUND 105 Cowan Town Road Butler, TN 37640 423-768-3164 R&D CAMPGROUN D 900 Mining Town Road Mountain City, TN 37683 423-534-4785 ROAN CREEK CAMPGROUND 205 Morefield Road Butler, TN 37640 423-768-0012 SINK VALLEY CAMPGROUND 6365 Sink Valley Road Butler, TN 37640 407-768-0922 SWITCHBACK CREEK CAMPGROUND 570 Wallace Road Shady Valley, TN 37688 407-484-3388 TWO CREEKS CAMPGROUND 1037 Forge Road Mountain City, TN 37683 423-471-1356 WELCOME CENTER CAMPGROUND 716 S Shady Street Mountain City, TN 37683 423-727-5800 add your location