TVA Campgrounds Open 2017 Season

With spring just around the corner, the Tennessee Valley Authority’s seasonal campgrounds are ready and waiting for visitors to return to the outdoors as the 2017 camping season opens Wed., March 15 and runs through Nov. 15.

TVA provides more than 80 public recreation areas, including campgrounds, day-use areas and boat ramps across the Tennessee Valley. Recreation Resource Management LLC, will again be managing the six TVA campgrounds on our dam reservations:

  • Cherokee Dam – Cherokee Reservoir in Jefferson City, Tenn.
  • Douglas Dam Headwater – Douglas Reservoir near Sevierville, Tenn.
  • Douglas Dam Tailwater – Douglas Reservoir near Sevierville, Tenn.
  • Melton Hill Dam – Melton Hill Reservoir near Lenoir City, Tenn.
  • Pickwick Dam –  Pickwick Reservoir near Savannah, Tenn.
  • Watauga Dam – Watauga Reservoir near Elizabethton, Tenn.

Improvements made at these campgrounds in 2016 include upgraded tent camping sites, renovated restrooms, and a new camp store at Melton Hill.

The six TVA campgrounds hosted over 50,000 overnight stays in 2016 at a total of 355 campsites, most capable of accommodating tents, pop-up trailers and recreational vehicles. Each campground provides restrooms, potable water, showers, grills, picnic tables, RV dump stations, and nearby boating and fishing access. Most campsites have electrical service, except for a few tent-only campsites.

The rates for an RV site range from $14 to $29 and a tent site ranges from $12 to $18. Additional services, such as electricity, water, sewer or premium waterfront campsites are available depending on the site.

Full details of all camping fees and policies can be found in the camping section of TVA’s website or on RRM’s website.

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.

Source: Tennessee Valley Authority