TVA Campgrounds, Dam Visitor Centers Opening for 2026 Season

Mar 23, 2026

Contact: Adam May

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Release Summary

Five of TVA’s six campgrounds have reopened, with reservations available through Tennessee Valley Hospitality.
Reopening of Pickwick Dam Campground has been delayed following Winter Storm Fern in late January.
Four TVA dam visitor centers will reopen their doors on April 4.
Teachers can schedule a field trip to a dam visitor center using a new online request form at tva.com/visit.

Click here for photos/b-roll from TVA campgrounds and dam visitor centers.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Springtime has arrived and five of TVA’s six campgrounds have reopened.

“Thousands of families make memories together at TVA campgrounds each year,” said Jonathan McNutt, TVA land management contract specialist. “TVA campgrounds are surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the country and campers made over 97,000 visits last year.”

The following TVA-developed campgrounds are open. The properties are managed by Tennessee Valley Hospitality. Reservations may be required for overnight stays and the process begins at tva.com/camping.

Cherokee Dam — Cherokee Dam Reservation in Jefferson City, Tenn.
Douglas Dam Headwater — Douglas Dam Reservation near Sevierville, Tenn.
Douglas Dam Tailwater — Douglas Dam Reservation near Sevierville, Tenn.
Melton Hill Dam — Melton Hill Dam Reservation near Lenoir City, Tenn.
Watauga Dam — Watauga Dam Reservation near Elizabethton, Tenn.

Ice and extreme cold from Winter Storm Fern in January caused damage at Pickwick Dam Campground, delaying the reopening of that site.

TVA has more than 80 public recreation areas throughout the Tennessee Valley, including campgrounds, day-use areas and boat ramps.

TVA also has four dams – the Kentucky, Norris and Fontana Dams - with staffed visitor centers that will reopen on April 4 and will remain open into the fall. The Raccoon Mountain Pumped Storage visitor center is staffed year-round.

Each location offers a unique experience about the history and mechanics of each dam, as well as TVA’s greater mission of service to the people of the Valley. Centers have photos, videos and relics for families to enjoy.

Teachers who want to take their class on a field trip to a visitor center can arrange those with a new easy-to-use online form. It can be found at tva.com/visit.

More than 95,000 people stopped in a visitor center in 2025. TVA retirees who continue serving the Valley through Bicentennial Volunteers, Incorporated, are staffing visitor centers to welcome and share TVA history with visitors.

About TVA

The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation’s largest public power supplier, delivering energy to more than 10 million people across seven southeastern states. TVA has one of the most diverse energy systems – including nuclear, hydro, coal, gas, solar and advanced technologies. TVA is making significant investments in its power system toward new generation and transmission. 

TVA is a corporate agency of the United States, receiving no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. TVA maintains some of the lowest energy costs and highest reliability in the nation. TVA’s residential rates are lower than those paid by 80% of customers of the top 100 U.S. utilities, and its industrial rates are lower than those paid by over 90% of customers of the top 100 U.S. utilities. In addition, 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. Learn more at tva.com.

Contact

Adam May
TVA Media Relations
[email protected]
865-632-6000

TVA Media Line

Our media staff is available 24 hours a day. If you cannot reach the contact above, please call our media line at 865-632-6000.