Find Johnson County TN events and programs on our Calendar of Events. click on image to enlarge view America 250 Celebrations - Johnson County JoCo July 4 Living History Saturday America 250 Celebrations - Johnson County 1/27 Johnson County Calendar of Events event submission guidelines submit your event for free

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 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday ... 8:30am-5:00pm Open Extended hours on Thursdays from 7:30am-5:30pm CLOSED ON SATURDAYS COUNTY TRANSFER STATION Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm Saturdays 8:00am-12:00pm County Phone Directory Johnson County TN Government Public Notices PUBLIC NOTICE OF MEETINGS Budget Committee Meetings: Monday, May 11 & May 18 Tuesday, May 26, June 1, 8 & 15 5:15pm in the Board Room Johnson County Offices, 211 North Church Street, Mountain City, TN. JOINT ECD WORK SESSION Thursday, June 18 at 10:00am Johnson County Public Library Download Notice & Agenda BUDGET COMMITTEE Thursday, June 18 at 6:00pm Upper Courtroom - Courthouse COUNTY COMMISSION Thursday, June 18 at 7:00pm Upper Courtroom - Courthouse DOWNLOAD AGENDA PACKET 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, June 27 at 7:00pm TICKET INFO HERE calendar of events Follow Johnson County Government Featured COMMUNITY POST

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. 2026 PUBLIC NOTICES & AGENDAS AGENDA PACKET: Planning Commission Meeting - January 12, 2026 AGENDA PACKET: Budget Committee & County Commission Meeting - January 15, 2026 AMENDED AGENDA : Budget Committee & County Commission Meeting - January 15, 2026 AGENDA PACKET: Joint ECD Meeting - January 26, 2026 AGENDA PACKET : County Commission Workshop - January 26, 2026 AGENDA PACKET : Joint ECD Meeting - February 9, 2026 PUBLIC NOTICE: Johnson County Commission Workshop - February 9, 2026 PUBLIC NOTICE : Beer Commission - February 17, 2026 AGENDA PACKET : Budget Committee & County Commission Meeting - February 19, 2026 AGENDA PACKET: Planning Commission Meeting - March 2, 2026 AGENDA PACKET: Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting - March 18, 2026 AGENDA PACKET : Budget Committee & County Commission Meeting - March 19, 2026 AMENDED PACKET : Budget Committee & County Commission Meeting - March 19, 2026 AGENDA PACKET : Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting - March 24, 2026 AGENDA PACKET : Planning Commission Meeting - April 13, 2026 AGENDA PACKET : Budget Committee & County Commission Meeting - April 16, 2026 AGENDA: Joint ECD Meeting - April 27, 2026 AGENDA PACKET: Planning Commission Meeting - May 11 AGENDA PACKET : Budget Committee & County Commission Meeting - May 21, 2026 PUBLIC NOTICE/AGENDA: Joint ECD Work Session - June 18, 2026 AGENDA PACKET: Budget Committee & County Commission Meeting - June 18, 2026 AGENDA PACKET : County Commission Meeting - July 16, 2026 AGENDA PACKET : County Commission Meeting - August 20, 2026 AGENDA PACKET : Budget Committee & County Commission Meeting - September 17, 2026 AGENDA PACKET : Budget Committee & County Commission Meeting - October 15, 2026 AGENDA PACKET : Budget Committee & County Commission Meeting - November 19, 2026 AGENDA PACKET : Budget Committee & County Commission Meeting - December 17 2026 2026 COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES January 2026 February 2026 March 2026 April 2026 May 2026 June 2026 July 2026 August 2026 September 2026 October 2026 November 2026 December 2026 Find 2022 & 2023 archived records here . Find 2024 archived records here. Find 2025 archived records here. Please note that previous years predate the launch of the website and are not available electronically.

Johnson County Tennessee Member Associations, Organizations & Awards Member Associations, Organizations & Awards Organizations Johnson County Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Tennessee Three-Star Community Main Street Tennessee The First Tennessee Development District Member Associations East Tennessee Purchasing Association (ETPA) Tennessee Association of Public Purchasing (TAPP) NIGP – The Institute for Public Procurement County Officials Association of TN (COAT) & Affiliate Associations TN County Highway Officials Association (TCHOA) Awards 2017 ETPA Innovation of the Year Award – Johnson County Purchasing 2021 TAPP Manager of the Year Award – Johnson County Purchasing Visit the Johnson County Courthouse to learn more.

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 Jonathan Roark 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. 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 & Frank Dominguez VETERAN'S AFFAIRS & SAFETY 208 College Street | Mountain City, TN 37694 423-727-7929 Frank Dominguez - 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) 460-3000

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 AGENDA PACKET : Joint ECD Committee Meeting - November 10, 2025 AGENDA PACKET : Planning Commission Committee - November 10, 2025 AGENDA PACKET: Johnson County Budget & Commission Meeting - November 20, 2025 AGENDA: Beer Commission Meeting - November 24, 2025 AGENDA: Solid Waste Committee Meeting - December 15, 2025 AGENDA: Parks & Recreation Committee - December 15, 2025 AGENDA: Beer Committee Meeting - December 15, 2025 AGENDA : Budget Committee Meeting - December 18, 2025 AGENDA : County Commission Meeting - December 18, 2025 AGENDA : Special Called Commission Meeting - December 31, 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.

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

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.

Johnson County is a small rural community located in northeast Tennessee in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. About Johnson County, Tennessee Hello Johnson County is a small rural community located in northeast Tennessee in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Our history is rooted in rural America farming followed by mills, timber and manganese mining. Our way of life is based in our southern Appalachia culture. We have a long musical heritage in Traditional Appalachian Music, and to this day, we have an annual Old time Fiddlers Convention celebrating our musical history. Rich in natural resources, we strive to protect and preserve, along with our culture and musical heritage. Our location and many protected natural resources make us an adventure paradise, attracting tourism and early retirees. Our county borders areas of two other states with thriving tourism markets, with the NC High Country to the southeast and Damascus, Virginia to the northwest. We are experiencing economic growth in our business sectors, tourism industry and real estate market. This growth is providing some good business opportunities in our area of northeast Tennessee. We are focused on community development to help drive our economic development. Our county services are continually expanding to meet the needs of our residents and those visitors who come to experience our culture and way of life. You are welcome in Johnson County, today, tomorrow or for a lifetime. Visit the Fiddlin' Fred Price statue at the Johnson County Center for the Arts Center located 127 College Street in beautiful Mountain City!

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.

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

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