Years of devastating flooding in the Chattanooga area led to the damming of the Tennessee River in 1942. The 112-foot dam created Watts Bar Reservoir, also known as Watts Bar Lake. Today, the lake's massive 722 miles of shoreline has stretches of sandy beach where folks swim during Tennessee's sticky summers. A number of RV-friendly campgrounds dot this shoreline and beyond, providing easy access to all the swimming, boating and fishing that Watts Bar has to offer.
Nineteen tree-lined campsites overlook Watts Bar Lake at Cedar Point RV Park. The privately owned campground lies on the western banks of the lake, 5 miles outside of Spring City. It hosts quaint cabins with modern conveniences, but caters mostly to extended-stay RV campers. The RV lots come equipped with sewer, water and 20-, 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups. The campground offers free Wi-Fi, and coin-operated laundry facilities are available on-site.
On the east bank of the lake, Hornsby Hollow Campground has more than 100 campsites that are situated either on the lake shore, or near the shore with views of the lake. Each site has water and 30- or 50-amp electrical hookups, with a dump station nearby. Hornsby Hollow also provides numerous opportunities to enjoy Watts Bar Lake. The park has two swimming beaches with onshore volleyball, a fishing dock from which to catch small- and largemouth bass, and pedal boat, stand-up paddle board and kayak rentals.
At the north end of the lake, Caney Creek RV Resort accommodates very large, long-stay RVs with 80-foot pull-through paved sites equipped with water and electrical hookups. The wooded campground has a swimming pool and kiddie pool with a waterfall structure that overlooks the lake. Additionally, pontoon boats and canoes are available to rent. Anglers flock to the park's fishing pier to catch bass and crappie, while kids appreciate the large playground and the small beach with a volleyball court.
Twenty-four miles east of Watts Bar Lake, Lazy Acres RV Park has 66 spots set around Tellico Lake. All of these sites are paved with 20-, 30- or 50-amp electrical, water and sewer hookups -- 18 of these are pull-through sites. Animals, both domesticated and not, roam Lazy Acres. A herd of goats graze the park's large fields while wild turkeys and deer are a common sight in the early morning. A short stroll from the park leads to a lake cove where you can swim and fish for bass and crappie.
