The Tennessee Valley Authority’s seasonal campgrounds will be opening for the 2014 recreation season on Friday, March 14.
“TVA provides recreation opportunities across the Tennessee Valley region as part of our mission,” said Rebecca Tolene, TVA vice president of Natural Resources and Real Property Services. “Regional tourism spending by visitors to TVA-managed recreation facilities and the hundreds of campgrounds and marinas run by commercial and public operators contribute significantly to local economies.”
TVA operates more than 80 public recreation areas, including campgrounds, day-use areas and boat ramps. The six campgrounds operated by TVA alone hosted about 45,000 overnight stays in 2013.
TVA-managed campgrounds that will open on March 14 and will remain open until Nov. 17 are:
- Cherokee Dam - Cherokee Reservoir in Jefferson City, Tn.
- Douglas Dam Headwater - Douglas Reservoir near Sevierville, Tn.
- Douglas Dam Tailwater - Douglas Reservoir near Sevierville, Tn.
- Melton Hill Dam - Melton Hill Reservoir near Oak Ridge, Tn.
- Pickwick Dam Tailwater - Pickwick Reservoir near Savannah, Tn.
- Watauga Dam Tailwater - Watauga Reservoir near Elizabethton, Tn.
The six TVA-operated campgrounds have a total of 355 campsites, all capable of accommodating tents, pop-up trailers and recreational vehicles. Each campground provides restrooms, potable water, showers, grills, picnic tables, dump stations, and nearby boating and fishing access. Most campsites have electrical service, except for a few tent-only campsites.
Campground opening times and additional information including fees and passes are available by calling 800 882-5263 or visitingwww.tva.com/river/recreation.
Cherokee campground, adjacent to Cherokee Dam in East Tennessee, is the only TVA-operated campground with long-term campsites available. There are a limited number of campsites, and they will be selected by a lottery at the campground at 8 a.m. on March 14.
Camping with campfires is a traditional way of enjoying the outdoors. However, imported firewood can introduce insects that kill trees. To prevent the spread of these destructive pests, TVA recommends buying firewood that is cut locally, preferably within the same county where it will be burned.
The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power distributors serving nine million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.