Explore and Discover

Plan a Visit: TVA Visitor Centers and Public Recreation Areas

Eager for some new adventures this summer? TVA’s four staffed visitor centers offer a rich, memorable look into the region’s natural beauty and TVA’s long-standing mission of service.

The centers at Norris Dam, Kentucky Dam, Fontana Dam and Raccoon Mountain Pumped Storage Plant provide engaging exhibits, knowledgeable volunteers and scenic overlooks that make them ideal starting points for outdoor exploration.

Guests at Raccoon Mountain Visitor Center.

The Fontana Dam Visitor Center, one of TVA’s most-visited centers, offers sweeping views of the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains and access to nearby hiking trails. It’s open now through late October, with educational exhibits and volunteer support enhancing the visitor experience.

TVA’s other staffed centers also provide insights into hydroelectric operations, reservoir management and TVA’s broader public power mission. These volunteer-supported centers create unique personal experiences for guests.

Alongside the visitor centers, TVA manages about 80 public recreation areas across the Valley region, many featuring picnic areas, campgrounds, hiking trails, reservoirs and river access points. Seasonal TVA-developed campgrounds – such as those at Cherokee, Douglas, Melton Hill and Watauga dams – provide a mix of tent, RV and primitive sites surrounded by scenic mountain and lakeside settings.

A family joins a Wildflower Walk at Norris Reservoir.

These sites are a perfect place to picnic with family and friends, hike a trail and enjoy a lakeside camping experience.

For hikers, TVA has nearly 190 miles of public trails, ranging from easy footpaths to challenging climbs. The trails wind through forests, nature preserves and dam reservations, and they even connect with national trails such as the Appalachian Trail at Fontana and Watauga reservations. The trails offer views of wildlife, wildflowers, scenic overlooks and pristine waterways, giving Valley-region visitors countless ways to explore the outdoors.

TVA’s staffed visitor centers and extensive outdoor recreation areas create a welcoming, educational and inspiring experience for everyone. Take a moment to add a few sites to your spring and summer plans – and get ready to dive into history, nature and adventure.

BVI volunteers at TVA's visitor centers provide insights into hydroelectric operations, reservoir management and the enterprise's broader public power mission.

A BVI volunteer at Fontana Dam Visitor Center.

The overlook at Raccoon Mountain Visitor Center delivers unbeatable views of the river gorge.

PHOTO AT TOP OF PAGE: Fontana Dam Visitor Center.