TVA operates about 80 public recreation areas throughout the Tennessee Valley region where millions of people enjoy limitless opportunities for fun and appreciation of our natural heritage. Click on the reservoir near you for more information about TVA-provided
facilities, or click on the area recreation guides to access information about nearby attractions, including golf courses, parks, marinas, resorts, campgrounds and more.
- Cherokee Reservoir
offers pristine shorelines
that make for excellent nature watching, and the fishing is good.
- Chickamauga Reservoir
is the place to go if you love wildflowers. You’ll love Chickamauga’s 1.3-mile Big Ridge Small Wild Area loop trail, which shows off bloodroot, toothwort, trillium, larkspur and mayapple.
- Douglas Reservoir
is known for picnicking, camping, boating and fishing. It’s also home to many migrating water birds from late July to early October.
- Fontana Reservoir
is completely unique in TVA’s recreational portfolio, offering a resort with amenities including boating, horseback riding and crafts making.
- Guntersville Reservoir
is a destination for sport fishermen from around the country. It also offers great day hiking.
- Hiwassee Reservoir
is one of the best reservoirs in the region to learn paddle sports, owing to its unique mix of calm waters and light whitewater.
- Melton Hill Reservoir
features a one-of-a-kind zero-energy
camping facility with solar power and wind energy, and is built with recycled materials. A beautiful pavilion is the perfect backdrop for family reunions or wedding parties.
Read more about it here
.
- Nickajack Reservoir
is a shore fisherman’s paradise:
Fishing berms are located on both sides of the river below the dam, and a concrete fishing pier with footbridges and wheelchair access is available.
- Normandy Reservoir
is on one of the most ecologically diverse river systems in the nation?the Duck River?and it’s a great place to be one with nature, whether on foot or in a boat.
- Norris Reservoir
features a beautiful picnic area adjacent to a playground, making for a perfect spot for a family reunion. Hiking and biking trails are available.
- Pickwick Reservoir
A popular waterskiing and fishing destination, Pickwick also offers a large campground with 92 sites below the dam.
- Tellico Reservoir
offers plenty of day-use facilities, fishing areas and campgrounds around the reservoir, which cultivates a family-friendly vibe.
- Watts Bar Reservoir
is a major swimming destination, although boating, fishing, camping and other outdoor activities are also popular here. A scenic overlook provides a panoramic view of the reservoir and the surrounding countryside
- Watauga Reservoir
draws hikers; the Appalachian Trail runs through here. It’s also a great destination for birdwatchers.
- Wheeler Reservoir
is a major recreation and tourist center in northern Alabama. Wheeler offers camping, boating and fishing and is adjacent to the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.
- Wilson Reservoir
is known as the Smallmouth Capital of the
World for the number of trophy smallmouth bass caught here. But there are gentler pursuits, including a network of walking and hiking trails that lead you through Old First Quarters Small Wild Area, named for the complex that housed engineers who originally built the dam in the early 20th century.
Visit a Dam
TVA has eight dams with open visitor centers featuring displays that transport you through 80 years of TVA history, tell you about the site you’re visiting and explain TVA’s activities today. Four of the centers are staffed with friendly TVA
retirees to answer your questions and provide a firsthand experience of the TVA story. The visitor centers locations and hours are as follows:
- Raccoon Mountain Pumped Storage Facility
, a staffed
center, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from April through October, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. November through March except for major holidays and in times of severe weather.
- Fontana Dam
, a staffed center, is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.,
April through August, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., September and October. The center will close on the last Sunday in October.
- Norris Dam
, a staffed center, is open April to November, 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. ET from Monday to Saturday; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
- Kentucky Dam
, a staffed center, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in
April and November except for major holidays and in times of severe weather.
- South Holston
is display-only and accessible year-round,
open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April to October ET; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November to March ET.
- Fort Patrick Henry
is display-only and accessible
year-round, open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April to October ET; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November to March ET.
- Guntersville
is outdoors, display-only and accessible
year-round.
- Wilson Dam
is outdoors, display-only and accessible year-round.
Please let TVA know if you’re planning on bringing a large group, and we will take extra measures to accommodate you. Call Laura Smith (865) 632-8287, or email
[email protected]
.
Plan a Family Picnic
TVA offers group picnic pavilions at some of its recreation sites; most include bathroom facilities, grill availability, parking, water and handicap accessibility. Here are the TVA reservations that offer picnic facilities: Boone, Cherokee, Chickamauga,
Douglas, Fontana, Guntersville, Hiwassee, Melton Hill, Nickajack, Normandy, Norris, Pickwick, Tellico, Watts Bar, Watauga, Wheeler and Wilson. Pavilion use is free of charge and is available on a first-come, first-served basis each day. For information,
call TVA’s Public Land Information Center at (800) 882-5263. You can reserve pavilions at
Melton Hill
,
Douglas
and
Cherokee
for $130 per day.
To the extent permitted by law, TVA disclaims liability for any injury to any person or property or loss of life or property related to use of TVA land for recreation activities.