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The Tennessee Valley Authority will close six campgrounds for winter on Friday, Nov. 15, and they will reopen March 15, 2025. Visitor centers at TVA dams have already or will close soon for the season. TVA’s day-use recreation areas on dam reservations remain open year-round. These recreation areas are used for hiking, fishing, boating, picnicking, wildlife viewing and swimming.

Visitors stayed over 102,000 nights at TVA-developed campgrounds this year and that number would be higher if not for the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which closed three sites early for the season.

The six TVA campgrounds are Cherokee Dam Reservation in Jefferson City; Douglas Dam  (Headwater and Tailwater) Reservation near Sevierville; Melton Hill Dam near Lenoir City; Watauga Dam near Elizabethton; and Pickwick Dam near Savannah, Tenn. 

TVA will begin taking reservations online December 1 for the 2025 camping season through Vista Recreation, which operates the campgrounds for TVA.

“We strive to provide world-class recreation opportunities, which include our managed campgrounds,” said Senior Manager Anthony Summitt, TVA Natural Resources and Recreation Management. “From their beauty and ample amenities to their eco-friendly focus, it’s no wonder that visitors give our campgrounds a rating of 4.8 out of 5. Along with our partner Vista Recreation, we’re always striving to maximize the campground experience for all the people of the Valley.” 
TVA dam visitor centers have also been busy this year, welcoming over 124,000 visitors through their doors. The Fontana and Kentucky Dam visitor centers closed on Oct. 27, and the Norris Dam Visitor Center will close Nov. 25. Raccoon Mountain Visitor Center traditionally remains open throughout the year, but closed in July for maintenance and will remain closed until June 2025 due to additional work at the site. Visitor opportunities are accessible year-round at Melton Hill and Douglas reservations in Tennessee, and Wilson and Guntersville reservations in Alabama.