Tennessee Valley Authority campgrounds and visitor centers at TVA dams and reservoirs are reducing hours or closing as a successful 2015 recreation season comes to an end.
More than 75,000 people came through TVA visitor centers this season, and many more took advantage of TVA’s public recreation areas – more than 80 across the Tennessee Valley - including campgrounds, day-use areas and boat ramps.
TVA – with support from BVI, the TVA retirees’ group - made improvements to its visitor centers at South Holston and Ft. Patrick Henry reservoirs and completed work on the visitor overlooks at Wilson and Guntersville dam reservations. Thanks to these improvements, the centers at South Holston and Ft. Patrick Henry will remain open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November to March.
TVA’s visitor centers at Norris Dam and Kentucky Reservoir will close Nov. 29, while the center at Fontana Dam closed Nov. 1. The visitor center at Raccoon Mountain Pumped Storage Plant will remain closed indefinitely during plant maintenance.
TVA campgrounds that will close on Nov. 15 are:
-
Cherokee Dam Campground - Cherokee Reservoir, Tn.
-
Douglas Dam Headwater Campground - Douglas Reservoir, Tn.
-
Douglas Dam Tailwater Campground - Douglas Reservoir, Tn.
-
Melton Hill Dam Campground - Melton Hill Reservoir, Tn.
-
Pickwick Dam Tailwater Campground - Pickwick Reservoir, Tn.
-
Wilson Dam Rockpile Campground – Wilson Reservoir, Al.
TVA campgrounds will reopen for the 2016 season in mid-March with full-time campground managers and a new reservation system for some campsites. Campsites will also be widened to accommodate more vehicles at some campgrounds, including vehicles with trailered boats.
TVA’s day-use recreation areas on dam reservations remain open year-round. Day-use recreation areas are used for hiking, fishing, boating, picnicking, wildlife viewing and swimming.