The Tennessee Valley Authority recently announced the opening of the 2017 camping season, which runs through Nov. 15.

TVA provides more than 80 public recreation areas, including campgrounds, day-use areas and boat ramps across the Tennessee Valley. Recreation Resource Management LLC, will again be managing the six TVA campgrounds on its dam reservations:

• Cherokee Dam: Cherokee Reservoir in Jefferson City, Tenn.;

• Douglas Dam Headwater: Douglas Reservoir near Sevierville, Tenn.;

• Douglas Dam Tailwater: Douglas Reservoir near Sevierville, Tenn.;

• Melton Hill Dam: Melton Hill Reservoir near Lenoir City, Tenn.;

• Pickwick Dam: Pickwick Reservoir near Savannah, Tenn.; and

• Watauga Dam: Watauga Reservoir near Elizabethton, Tenn.

Improvements made at these campgrounds in 2016 include upgraded tent camping sites, renovated restrooms, and a new camp store at Melton Hill.

The six TVA campgrounds hosted more 50,000 overnight stays in 2016 at a total of 355 campsites, most capable of accommodating tents, pop-up trailers and recreational vehicles. Each campground provides restrooms, potable water, showers, grills, picnic tables, RV dump stations, and nearby boating and fishing access. Most campsites have electrical service, except for a few tent-only campsites.

The rates for an RV site range from $14 to $29 and a tent site ranges from $12 to $18. Additional services, such as electricity, water, sewer or premium waterfront campsites are available depending on the site.

For more information, visit https://www.tva.com/Environment/Recreation/Camping.