Directions

Where are you coming from?

  • From Knoxville (direct using smaller roads)
  • From Johnson City (or Knoxville by Interstate)
  • From Tri-Cities Airport
  • From Jonesborough
  • From Erwin (Asheville way)
  • In case of snow or ice, follow these changes

    Directions from Knoxville if you prefer the most direct route with some back road travel:

  • Take I-40 to where it connects with I-81.
  • Stay on I-81 north until you get to exit 23 (Greeneville, Bull's Gap, Tusculum College exit).
  • Turn right at exit ramp onto 11E north. Stay on regular 11 E (towards Johnson City) through Mosheim and on through the edges of Greeneville (19.5 miles). Do not go off on Greeneville - Business 11E when it branches off to the right. Stay on 11E (go past Wal-Mart light and on to the next) until you see HWY 107.
  • Turn right onto HWY 107 E and stay on 107, 20.2 miles, until it comes to a stop sign at HWY 81.
  • Turn left onto HWY 81.
  • Go .85 miles across the Nolichucky and turn right onto Cherokee Road (HWY 67), a turn right before Lamar School.
  • After .9 miles turn right on your fourth road to the right which is Arnold Road. The turn is right before an Exxon Station.
  • Stay on Arnold as it takes you past Cherry Grove Baptist and a water plant 1.5 miles, then turn left onto Dry Creek Road. (You will see Camp Allison & Buffalo Mountain Camp signs at this turn). Continue on Dry Creek Road for close to 3 miles. You will pass the forest station, several trailers and small homes.
  • Turn right onto Methodist Camp Road. There will be a white sign pointing you the correct way. Once you have turned right onto Methodist Camp Road you will go over a bridge almost immediately.
  • Follow the main camp road as it turns to the left then curves back towards the camp.
  • You will soon see the camp lake and a sign for the retreat center. It is a two story motel-style building with long porches. If you are staying at the retreat center turn right up the gravel drive. Unload at the building, then park in our parking area.
  • If you are staying at Allison Lodge stay on the paved drive, past the retreat center and the pool until the road dead ends into the Allison Lodge parking lot.

    Directions from Johnson City, or from Knoxville if you prefer to travel mostly interstate:

  • I-81 to I-26 to Johnson City.
  • Take exit 24 (Old Exit 31).
  • Turn left off the exit onto University Parkway.
  • Go through the next stop light (Roan Street…Don't turn) and on to the next stop light (Cherokee Road - also HWY 67).
  • Turn left at the stop light and stay on Cherokee Road until you come to Cherokee School .
  • Turn left here onto Lone Oak Road. This will wind you up and over the mountain for 7 miles through deep forest. When you start seeing houses again, you are getting close. (On the right you will see a tiny stone church - Dry Creek Baptist).
  • Turn left onto Methodist Camp Road. Go over the bridge and follow the main paved road as it winds to the left then curves toward the camp.
  • You will see the retreat center, a large motel style building on your right - up the gravel drive.
  • Or, if you are looking for Allison Lodge stay on the pavement until the road passes the pool and ends up at Allison Lodge parking lot.

    **In case of snow and ice:
  • Use Johnson City directions when there is snow or ice.
  • Make this change.
  • Do not turn onto Lone Oak at Cherokee School.
  • Stay on Cherokee Road for several miles until you come to Arnold Road (past the Exxon station) on the left.
  • Turn left onto Arnold , go past Cherry Grove Baptist, then left on to Dry Creek.
  • Go up Dry Creek road 3 miles. Turn right onto Methodist Camp Road.
  • Go over bridge. Follow camp sign as it points to the left. Stay on the pavement.
  • You will see the Retreat Center on the right behind the lake. A gravel drive on your right will lead you to it.
  • If you are looking for Allison Lodge, stay on the pavement past the pool until the road ends at Allison Lodge.

    If coming from the Tri-Cities Airport:

  • Take HWY 75 south from the Airport to I-26, then follow Johnson City directions above.

    Directions from Jonesborough:

    This is not the most direct route. If you do choose to meander and come through Jonesborough:

  • Follow little HWY 81 out of Jonesborough towards, but not to Erwin.
  • When you get to Lamar School go past it and turn left onto Cherokee Road, for .9 miles.
  • Take fourth right onto Arnold Rd.
  • Go past Cherry Grove Baptist, then left onto Dry Creek. Go up Dry Creek road 3 miles.
  • Turn right onto Methodist Camp Road. Go over bridge.
  • Follow camp sign as it points to the left. Stay on pavement until you see Retreat Center.
  • If you are staying at the retreat center the gravel road to it is directly beyond the lake.
  • If you are staying at our more rustic Allison Lodge, stay on the pavement past the retreat center until the road ends at Allison Lodge.

    Directions from Erwin (Asheville way):

  • From Asheville (Exit 4-A off of 240) take I-26 North over the mountains to Erwin.
  • Take exit 37 (Old Exit 18).
  • At the exit, turn left and go 4.3 miles North on HWY (not interstate) 81.
  • Just before you cross the bridge which will take you over the Nolichucky River turn right onto Arnold Road. This turn is marked a brown ATV recreational vehicle sign.
  • Go 1.9 miles on Arnold and take your first paved road right. This is Dry Creek.
  • Go up Dry Creek for 3 miles. You will know you are close to the camp when you pass a Forest Station on the right. You will enter a little valley complete with small homes and trailers.
  • Turn right onto Methodist Camp Road.
  • Go over bridge. Follow camp sign as it points to the left. Stay on pavement until you see the Retreat Center.
  • If you are staying at the retreat center, turn onto the gravel road just past the lake.
  • If you are staying at our more rustic Allison Lodge, stay on the pavement past the retreat center until the road ends at Allison Lodge.