NASHVILLE,
Tenn. (Feb. 1, 2016) – In just a few months it will be time to get wet, sunbathe,
fish, hike, camp and go boating at a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville
District lake. Vacationers and locals
alike are encouraged to come see what the 10 lakes in the Cumberland River
Basin have to offer this summer.
The
Nashville District offers a variety of recreation opportunities with 25
developed campgrounds, 146 recreation areas, and primitive camping within the
states of Tennessee and Kentucky.
“Camping
with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is for everyone. We can accommodate any type of camper. We offer sites for tent campers who want the
primitive experience, boat in sites along the shoreline, and sites equipped for
motor home type campers,” said Mark Klimaszewski, natural resources specialist
with the Nashville District.
Eight
of the 10 lakes in the Nashville District have at least two
Corps of Engineers managed campgrounds to offer their visitors. Many of the campgrounds have playgrounds,
restrooms, electric hookups, shower houses, sewage hookups and laundry
facilities. A night’s stay can range from $12 to $32 depending on the amenities,
allowing for an affordable vacation.
Klimaszewski
said the uniqueness of the district’s 25 campgrounds is the fact they are
situated adjacent to lakes. Because of
this, they are located minutes from one the many U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
managed boat ramps, commercial marinas, and majority of the time - a town.
The campground
operational dates vary with the earliest campground open for business on March
16 at Defeated Creek Campground on Cordell Hull Lake. Kendall Campground at Lake Cumberland stays
open until Nov. 27, the last night to camp.
The remainder of the campgrounds open no later than mid-May.
Camping
may be the last thing people are thinking about with the frigid temperatures
outside, but spring is fast approaching.
Many campgrounds fill up quickly depending on the holidays or local
events taking place. A complete list of
Nashville District campgrounds and their corresponding details is available on
the district’s webpage. Campers may make their reservations 180 days
in advance through the National Recreation Reservation Service by calling toll free
at 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov.
Several
lakes across the district offer a primitive camping program. J. Percy Priest and Center Hill Lakes manage
a permit system, free of cost, to reserve a stay at the designated camping
areas along the shoreline. Dale Hollow Lake
offers the same program, but is managed through the same reservation system as
the developed campgrounds, National Reservation Recreation Service, for a small
fee of $3 per night.
Park
Ranger Dylon Anderson, a natural resources specialist at Old Hickory Lake in
middle Tennessee, said many locals come to enjoy the camping because of the
one-of-a-kind views and the vast amount of amenities the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers has available.
“We
have waterfront sites with launching ramps nearby each of our campgrounds, as
well as four public beaches and group picnic shelters that can be reserved
around Old Hickory Lake,” Anderson said.
Since
the campgrounds and recreation areas are located near the water, the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers wants visitors to think safety.
There were 12 water related fatalities at Nashville District lakes during
the 2015 recreation season 11 were confirmed not wearing their life jacket.
"Be
careful on Old Hickory Lake, or any lake in the district. Educate yourself on how to navigate by
obeying channel markers and informational buoys. Remember to wear your life jacket,” said
Anderson.
“If
you see a park ranger when enjoying your visit to a U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers lake please feel free to ask us about our lakes,” Anderson added. “We want to ensure your visit to a Nashville
District lake exceeds your expectations.”
Campgrounds
throughout the Nashville District are still seeking park attendants to help
support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer mission of recreation. To place a bid for the 2016 recreation season
please visit www.fbo.gov or contact J.W. Purcell, contract specialist with the Nashville District, at
615-736-7674.
(Important water safety resources are available at the district’s website. For more
news, updates and information follow the Nashville District on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps)