The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is set to reopen its seasonal campgrounds this March 15, signaling the start of spring activities across its extensive network of outdoor recreation areas. Following the campgrounds, TVA’s visitor centers will resume operations on April 6, welcoming visitors with enhanced services and educational displays.
TVA operates more than 80 public recreation facilities, including campgrounds, day-use areas, and boat ramps, spread throughout the Tennessee Valley. These areas are integral to the regional outdoor hospitality, offering diverse recreational opportunities to the public.
In 2023, the TVA reported a total of 45,000 overnight stays across six developed campgrounds. These campgrounds, located in picturesque settings near dams, provide essential amenities to campers, including restrooms, potable water, showers, grills, picnic tables, RV dump stations, and access to nearby boating and fishing activities.
The campgrounds opening on March 15 are strategically located in various parts of the Tennessee Valley. These include the Cherokee Dam Reservation in Jefferson City, Douglas Dam Headwater Reservation near Sevierville, Melton Hill Dam Reservation near Lenoir City, Pickwick Dam Reservation near Savannah, and Watauga Dam Reservation near Elizabethton.
Reservations and fees are typically required for overnight stays in these campgrounds. They are designed to accommodate a range of camping styles, from tents and pop-up trailers to recreational vehicles, ensuring a comfortable experience for all visitors.
On April 6, TVA will also reopen its visitor centers located at various dams. These centers are not just gateways to the recreational areas but also educational hubs where visitors can learn about TVA’s historical and current contributions to the region.
The visitor centers feature displays that trace TVA’s journey over 90 years, providing insights into its mission and the communities it serves. These centers are staffed by friendly TVA retirees, offering a personalized narrative of the TVA story to visitors.
Among the visitor centers reopening in April are the Norris Dam Visitor Center, located off Interstate 75 north of Knoxville. This center provides panoramic views of the Norris Reservoir and its powerhouse and is open from April 1 to November 19.
The Kentucky Dam Visitor Center, accessible from U.S. Highway 62, serves as an information point for TVA’s longest dam and the expansive reservoir that spans across Kentucky and Tennessee. It will welcome visitors from April 1 to October 29.
Fontana Dam Visitor Center, situated near the Tennessee-North Carolina border, operates seasonally and is also part of the Appalachian Trail network. It offers shelter, showers, and restrooms to trail users and is open from April to October 29.
Raccoon Mountain Visitor Center, located near Chattanooga, is set to reopen in June. It offers views of the river gorge and is part of the year-round open Laurel Point recreation area. This center will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
TVA’s initiative to reopen these facilities underscores its commitment to enhancing outdoor recreational and educational experiences for residents and visitors alike in the Tennessee Valley.
Featured image by Cherokee Dam Campground via vista-rec.com
