Tennessee Valley Authority
Recreation
Millions of people enjoy recreational activities on TVA lakes each year. The lakes and the 293,000 acres of land surrounding them offer nearly limitless opportunities for fun-filled activities, including water skiing, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, fishing, swimming, hiking, nature photography, picnicking, birdwatching and camping.
TVA Developed Recreation Map
Our map viewer provides three distinct views for lake recreation areas, as well as GPS coordinates and directions to recreation areas and facilities across the Tennessee Valley.
Undeveloped TVA Public Lands Recreation Map and Information
TVA owns and manages approximately 293,000 acres of land Valley-wide. Of this total, about 229,000 acres are available for dispersed, or informal, recreation.
Camping and recreation areas
TVA operates 80 public recreation areas throughout the Tennessee Valley, including campgrounds, day-use areas and boat launching ramps. Get information here about TVA operated campgrounds and amenities. TVA also provides land for campgrounds operated by commercial operators and public entities. See the applicable “Length of Stay” requirements here.
Multiple use trails
TVA manages over 100 miles of trails, including trails for hiking, trails for biking, and equestrian trails. Get information about the trails including links to maps.
Recreation release schedules
Go fishing or experience the excitement of canoeing, kayaking or rafting on the many stretches of river below TVA dams.
The Ocoee River Gorge
The Ocoee River has both an Olympic whitewater course and a four-and-a-half-mile rafting area. The area also offers lots of other recreational opportunities, including swimming, boating and picknicking.
Reservoir information
A handy resource for fishermen and boaters, these pages track water levels on an hourly basis in TVA lakes across the Tennessee Valley, give water release schedules at the dams, and more.
Reservoir ratings
TVA operates one of the most comprehensive river-system monitoring programs in the United States. Get information about water quality at TVA lakes, including advisories on swimming at various recreation areas and eating fish caught in the reservoirs.
Sport fishing ratings
To help anglers decide where they have the best chance of catching their favorite types of fish, TVA and state fisheries agencies rate fishing quality for different species in the TVA lakes.
Tracking water temperatures on the Elk River
TVA monitors water temperatures in the Elk River closely so that it can adjust the operation of Tims Ford Dam to protect the variety of life in the river, including a cold-water trout fishery and endangered species and sport fish that require warm water.
Spring Sport Fish Survey
TVA conducts an annual survey to determine the number, age and general health of black bass in lakes throughout the Tennessee Valley. Read about the survey and check the results for individual lakes. See 2012 Sport Fish Survey Schedule
TVA Reservoir Map
Our interactive map of TVA facilities gives the location of all TVA lakes and links to general information on each, including descriptions of recreation opportunities and conditions.
Clean Marinas and Clean Boating
Boating is one of the most popular recreational uses of TVA lakes. TVA's Clean Marina Initiative certifies marinas that are in compliance with pollution-control standards. And the national Clean Boating Campaign helps educate boating enthusiasts and marina operators in practices that reduce pollution and erosion on the waterways. Find out more here.
Commercial Recreation Management Fee Guideline
TVA has recently revised its commercial recreation management fee guideline based upon an independent review of industry practices. This guideline outlines how TVA will determine rent for the use of public lands for commercial recreation. It is intended to provide options, achieve consistency for approximately 170 agreements, and to ensure the public is adequately compensated for the commercial use of public resources. The guideline also provides for longer tenure, lower administrative cost, and a centralized management staff.
