Parks around Morristown

Cherokee Reservoir attracts millions of recreational visitors each year. Along its shorelines are public access areas, county and municipal parks, commercial boat docks and resorts, a state park, and a state wildlife management area. There are many tent and trailer sites for campers. Fishing is popular at Cherokee, and the reservoir's fish population is very similar to that found in other east ...

Douglas Reservoir is located among the rolling uplands of the Great Valley of east Tennessee. Set against the backdrop of the lush, green Smoky Mountain foothills, Douglas attracts two million recreation visitors a year. Picnicking, camping, boating, and fishing are all popular activities at the reservoir. Douglas and other TVA reservoirs built during World War II made a historic contribution,...

The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site and National Cemetery interprets the life and legacy of the 17th President. Andrew Johnson's presidency, 1865-1869, illustrates the United States Constitution at work following President Lincoln's assassination and during attempts to reunify a nation torn by civil war. His presidency shaped the future of the United States and his influences continue today.

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park.

At Cumberland Gap, the first great gateway to the west, follow the buffalo, the Native American, the longhunter, the pioneer... all traveled this route through the mountains into the wilderness of Kentucky. Modern day explorers and travelers stand in awe at this great gateway and the many miles of trails and scenic features found in the park.

The Sampson Mountain Wilderness now contains a total of 7,991 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Tennessee. In 1986 the Sampson Mountain Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an...

This water resource project lies entirely in Harlan County, Kentucky. Many local residents take advantage of the recreational opportunities offered at the Smith Recreation Area, which is operated under a cost-share agreement by the county.

Fort Patrick Henry is named after the colonial fort, also known as Long Island Station, that was established nearby at the site of present-day Kingsport, Tennessee. The dam was built primarily for hydropower, but it is also used to regulate the flow of water downstream to ensure a reliable supply of water for local industry and for cooling water at TVA's John Sevier Fossil Plant. Fort Patrick H...

Boone Reservoir features a swimming area above the dam and a boat ramp including a courtesy pier for safe, convenient boat launching and retrieval. Water skiing and fishing are popular pastimes at Boone. The reservoir is operated for a number of purposes, including power production, flood control, water supply, water quality, and aquatic ecology. Compared with similar reservoirs on tributaries ...

South Holston Reservoir is on the South Fork Holston River in northeast Tennessee. It extends 24 miles east of the dam into Virginia. Construction of the dam was begun in 1942 but was halted in favor of other wartime construction efforts. Building resumed in 1947 and was completed in 1950. South Holston is operated for many purposes, including flood control, power production, and aquatic ecolog...

Watauga holds the distinction of being the highest reservoir (more than 1,900 feet above sea level) in the Tennessee River system. The reservoir is operated for many uses, including flood control, power generation, water quality, and aquatic ecology. Construction of the dam began in early 1942 but was curtailed later that year in favor of other wartime building efforts. Work resumed in 1946, and t...

Wilbur and Watauga Reservoirs are located almost three miles from each other on the Watauga River in some of the most beautiful country in the Tennessee River watershed. The reservoirs are surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest and flanked by the Appalachian Mountains. Even in the dog days of summer, Wilbur and Watauga remain cool, with a constant breeze blowing through the Watauga River gorge...

Drive the East Tennessee Crossing Byway and soak in the richness of the Tennessee landscape. This route follows the original path of the Cherokee Warriors Path, the Wilderness Road across the Clinch Mountain and the Cumberland Gap, the Dixie Highway of the Civil War period and Thunder Road of moonshining lore. The byway begins with the nationally significant Cumberland Gap National Historical P...

The Unaka Mountain Wilderness now contains a total of 4,496 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Tennessee. In 1986 the Unaka Mountain Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age...

Norris is a popular tourist and recreation destination, and in summer 2005 TVA opened a new visitor center at the dam. Visitors can learn about the history of Norris, hydropower operations, and TVA's management of the river system. The facility, located at the top of the dam, is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. It's staffed by TVA retiree volunteers. ...

Watts Bar, located about midway between Knoxville and Chattanooga, is one of nine TVA dams on the Tennessee River. The reservoir attracts millions of recreation visits each year for boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and other outdoor activities. A scenic overlook near the dam provides visitors with a panoramic view of the reservoir and surrounding countryside. The dam was completed in Januar...

Tellico Reservoir was planned as an extension of nearby Fort Loudoun Reservoir. Tellico Dam serves to divert water through a short canal into Fort Loudoun, linking the two reservoirs in their joint functions of flood control, power production, and improved navigation. They help regulate flooding downstream, especially at Chattanooga. The canal also allows barges to enter the Little Tennessee River...

More than two million outdoor enthusiasts visit Fort Loudoun Reservoir each year. The reservoir is known for its bass fishing, boating, and birdwatching. The wildlife viewing area is the best place to observe the seasonal bird population. Black-crowned night herons and osprey visit during the summer and late fall, and gulls migrate to the area in winter. Fort Loudoun is connected by a short ...

Melton Hill Reservoir is on the Clinch River in east Tennessee. It extemds almost 57 miles upstream from Melton Hill Dam to Norris Dam. Unlike other TVA reservoirs, Melton Hill is not used for flood control. But because it's used for power production, the level of the water in the reservoir fluctuates about four feet throughout the year. The area around Melton Hill offers camping, sheltered pic...

Fontana Reservoir occupies a site of particular splendor deep in the Great Smoky Mountains. Fishing, boating, and swimming are all popular at Fontana, but it is perhaps most appreciated by wilderness hikers and campers. The Appalachian Trail, which extends over 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine, crosses the top of Fontana Dam. The hot showers available at the trail shelter maintained by TVA hav...

Great Falls Dam, completed in 1916 by the Tennessee Electric Power Company for the purpose of power generation, was bought by TVA in 1939. The area surrounding Great Falls Reservoir is a scenic wilderness with numerous waterfalls, including the one that gives the reservoir its name. Whitewater rapids below the dam are world renowned for kayaking and canoeing and have been the site for national ...

The Middle Prong Wilderness now contains a total of 7,460 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of North Carolina. In 1984 the Middle Prong Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an ag...

The Shining Rock Wilderness now contains a total of 18,483 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of North Carolina. In 1964 the Shining Rock Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an a...

The Pond Mountain Wilderness now contains a total of 6,890 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Tennessee. In 1986 the Pond Mountain Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age o...

The Big Laurel Branch Wilderness now contains a total of 6,332 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Tennessee. In 1986 the Big Laurel Branch Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In ...