TVA’s Legacy Powers Outdoor Adventure Across the Tennessee River Valley

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — June is National Outdoor Month, and across the Tennessee River Valley, communities are celebrating the incredible access to nature and outdoor recreation that has been made possible thanks in large part to the enduring legacy of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

Originally established in 1933 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, TVA was created to provide electricity, flood control, and economic revitalization. Today, it continues to serve the people of the region not only through power generation, but by helping shape a landscape rich in outdoor adventure, recreational trails, and public access to waterways and land.

From blueways to biking trails, TVA’s stewardship of more than 293,000 acres of public land and 11,000 miles of shoreline enables experiences like:

Blueways & Water Trails

• The newly designated Mossy Creek Water Trail in Jefferson City, perfect for peaceful paddling and nature watching
  

• The thrilling Ocoee River whitewater releases, made possible by TVA’s managed dam operations, drawing rafters and kayakers from across the country

Trail Systems

• The expanding Norris Area Trail System (NATS), featuring multi-use hiking and biking trails near Norris Dam
  

• Joe Wheeler Dam trails in northern Alabama, offering riverfront biking and scenic hikes

Public Land Access

• TVA works with communities to support boat ramps, campgrounds, picnic areas, and nature observation spaces that improve quality of life and promote outdoor tourism.

“TVA’s original purpose was to uplift the people of the Tennessee Valley—and that mission still lives on through the outdoor opportunities it has helped create,” said Julie Graham, spokesperson for the Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council. “From new trails to managed rivers, the Tennessee River Valley is now a thriving destination for adventure seekers, families, and conservation-minded travelers. Our volunteers and community trail partners—our true ‘trail angels’—are essential to making it all happen.”

This June, in celebration of National Outdoor Month, the Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council invites everyone to get outside and explore the region’s incredible network of trails, blueways, parks, and public lands. From scenic hikes to paddle adventures, it’s a chance to experience the lasting legacy of the Tennessee Valley Authority—a legacy built on access, stewardship, and outdoor opportunity. Best of all, most trailheads, parking areas, kayak put-ins, and recreation sites are free to enjoy.