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Couple grilling and RV camping

All the Comforts in the Great Outdoors

Long to stay in the great outdoors, but tent camping just isn't your style? Try living it up in a decked-out RV. You can have all the comforts of home—including wi-fi—and still get out into nature on TVA campgrounds.

If you long for the great outdoors, but just can’t leave that laptop and hot shower behind, then RV camping is probably for you. RV stands for recreational vehicle—and that includes everything from a small pop-up camper that you tow with your car to a decked-out luxury home on wheels. And good news, TVA has campgrounds to accommodate all of them.

While camping purists may consider RVs “cheating,” RVs may actually be the key to getting more people outdoors, according to TVA’s Natural Resources Recreation representative Aurora Pulliam. “In this age of technology, it’s especially important to expose young people to the outdoors,” she says, “and it’s easier when you can take some of the comforts of home with you.” Pulliam says tent camping definitely has its appeal, especially for young adults. But comfort tends to take over when you get older and have children.

Many campgrounds are also embracing technology by offering free wi-fi connection. “We are losing campers to technology, so we want to try to make it easier for people to connect if they want to,” Pulliam explains.

There are more than 140 campgrounds on TVA lands, including 11 operated by Recreation Resource Management. Six of those are on or near the water at TVA reservoirs. A growing number are part of the  Tennessee Valley Camp-Right Campgrounds program, meaning that they are committed not only to your comfort, but to environmentally friendly practices as well.

Campgrounds, including those  owned by TVA or on located on TVA lands, are doing more and more to accommodate RV camping. “Most of our campsites are built for RVs, but we have plenty of space for tents as well,” Pulliam said. Even most basic campsites are equipped with water and electricity hookups—so you can camp where you like, in style.

RV Owners' Energy and Conservation Tips

  • Keep those curtains closed to conserve air conditioning when it is warm. Open them to let the sun shine in and warm your space during winter months.
  • Nobody home? Raise the thermostat a few degrees when you're not using your RV to save electricity and money.
  • Don't try to cool the whole campground! Caulk and weather-strip around windows and doors to stop air leaks
  • Repair water leaks right away. A leak that fills a coffee cup in 10 minutes adds up to 3,280 gallons of water a year
  • During washing, collect water from the sink to use in the toilet. It keeps your black tank cleaner and keeps your grey tanks from filling up faster.
  • Use vegetable-based dish soap and us less of it so you won't have to rinse dishes as much.
  • Keep soap, food and human and pet waste out of lakes and streams to keep the plants and animals healthy.
  • Don't share your dinner. Human food is unhealthy for wildlife. 
#TVAfun

It’s always a good time for fun on the Tennessee Valley’s lands and waters. Not sure where to start? We have you covered! Check out some of the best recreational activities on our reservoirs. While you’re enjoying the lakes, trails, picnic areas and campgrounds, share your own stories and photos on Instagram using #TVAfun.

River Neighbors Newsletter

Get the all the latest news and inside information about recreation on TVA public lands and lakes.

TVA Camp-Right Campgrounds

Tennessee Valley Camp-Right Campgrounds TVA’s Tennessee Valley Camp-Right Campgrounds program recognizes those campgrounds on TVA land that are committed to environmentally responsible practices, and that share our passion for protecting the environment.  Find a campground near you. 

Lakeside Camping

Always wanted to live on the lake but can't afford the real estate? Now you can enjoy all the amenities without the expense by camping at one of TVA's six dam reservation campgrounds.  Click here to learn more about TVA dam reservation camping.