Douglas Headwater Campground

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• Douglas Dam Headwater Campground contains a total of 60 campsites, of which 54 are equipped with electric and water, 2 are ADA accessible, and 4 are primitive tent sites. The campground also features 3 bath houses, a boat ramp, a swimming beach, and a picnic area. The trail, Trotter Bluff, is located near the entrance to the campground. It is an easy 1-mile trek through a forest full of chestnut trees and wildlife. You can also spot some artifacts lefover from the construction of the Dam.

  Features

  • Beach
  • Bike Riding
  • Boating
  • Grills
  • Kayaking
  • Showers
  • Store
  • Swimming
  • Wildlife Watching

  Facilities

  

  Campground (60 total sites)

  The campground is separated into two sections, divided by an associated public boat ramp and parking lot. 21 sites are mostly waterfront on the left side of the boat ramp, and the remaining sites are situated up a hill to the right of the boat ramp. There are three bathhouses with warm water and flush toilets. All entry roads are paved, and campsites are graveled with most being level. All sites have a picnic table, and nearly all sites have a fire pit/grill combo. A dump station is located in the campground for those who are camping.

  All sites require a 2-night minimum stay. Please call the campground directly to request an exception if you wish to stay for just 1 night.

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  Day Use

  Adjacent to the public boat ramp is also an associated day use and swim area with picnic tables and landscaping. Trotter Bluff walking trail has recently been completed located across the road from the campground. This campground is in close proximity to the tourist areas of the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Townsend.

  Pleae note: The Day Use Area gate closes at sunset each night per TVA access restrictions.

  View Fee Schedule

  Reserve Day Use Now

Campground rules are provided to campers upon check-in. Vista Recreation, in a partnership agreement with TVA, provide these facilities for your convenience and enjoyment. The successful operation of this area depends on your cooperation and compliance of the following:

• Please register at the store upon arrival.

• 1:00 pm check-in. Sorry, no exceptions for early check-in. Check-out is 12:00 pm.

• Campers with an America the Beautiful card discount may only rent 1 campsite per visit. Please be prepared to present a photo ID along with the pass in order to receive the discount rate. The pass is eligible for one site per stay only. Please Note: Douglas Dam Headwater Campground does not honor America the Beautiful Annual Pass, America the Beautiful Annual Senior Pass, America the Beautiful Military Pass, and America the Beautiful Volunteer Pass. The only passes accepted are America the Beautiful Lifetime Pass and Lifetime Senior Pass.

• Sites in the campground are able to be reserved and some are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please ensure sites are not reserved before occupying a site.

• Unattended camping vehicles and equipment cannot be left at a site unless fees are paid. Rented campsites must have a camping unit present to show the site is taken.

• ADA accessible sites are reserved for persons with a state-issued ADA license plate or mirror tag. The person who has been issued the tag must be occupying the site and may only rent 1 campsite per visit.

• No more than 2 camping units are allowed per site, with only 1 unit being a wheeled or mobile camping unit. No more than 2 tents per site. For campers under the age of 18, a tent is allowed for immediate family residing in the same household.

• Camping is permitted at designated (numbered) sites only. A maximum of 8 people are allowed per campsite. Designated non-profit groups, such as scout troops or church groups, will be allowed some exemptions.

• All vehicles, including visitors, must display a parking pass in order to park in the campground. A maximum of 3 vehicles are allowed per campsite (if space permits). Vehicles are considered to be any of the following: boat trailers, wheeled camping units, automobiles, or motorcycles.

• Parking on the grass is prohibited.

• No washing of campers, vehicles, or boats is allowed in the campground.

• Golf carts are permitted for use by Vista/TVA authorized personnel only. Motorized scooters are only allowed for those individuals with mobility impairment. Bicycles, skateboards, or scooter riding is prohibited from dusk to dawn. Safety helmets should be worn.

• The maximum camping stay is 21 consecutive days. The camper and camping unit must leave the campground for a minimum of 14 days before returning. Other TVA Campgrounds are available for stay during this time (exception: Douglas Headwater and Douglas Tailwater are considered one campground for this interchange).

• Visitors are permitted between the hours of 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM

• Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Please turn off any music, generators, or disruptive lighting by 10:00 PM.

• Campers who are disruptive, intoxicated, or behaving in an obscene or profane manner will be reported to the TVA Police, asked to vacate the premises without reimbursement, and will be subject to a ban from a facility operated by Vista Recreation in a partnership agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

• Place all trash in dumpsters except fish debris. Please contact the campground hosts on duty for pick-up and disposal of fish debris.

• Campfires must be contained in metal fire rings. All firewood must be pre-cut and not include construction debris or pallets. No out-of-county firewood is allowed to be brought into the campground. Do not cut, damage, or drive nails into trees. Please do not burn trash in fire rings.

• Observe posted speed limit signs throughout the campground.

• All appliances must be kept inside the camping unit (no freezers or refrigerators are to be outside).

• Satellite dishes, power cords, and pet crates must remain within the impact zone of the campsite.

• Dumping waste or gray water onto the ground is prohibited.

• Alcoholic beverages and fireworks are not permitted on TVA property. Firearms are prohibited in recreation areas except in hunting season excursions, and are permissible only if they are unloaded and properly cased. State and federal laws apply.

• Pets: Only 2 pets are allowed per campsite; pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet or crated at all times. Please see further rules listed under "Pets" upon clicking "Reserve Now" and viewing "Terms of Service".

• • General Map
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