outdoor
South Holston Dam
TVA dam that anchors the tailwater fishery and the lake above
Bristol, Tennessee
Photo: South Holston Dam — Tennessee Valley Authority, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
- City
- Bristol
- Cell signal
- moderate signal
- Admission
- Free admission
- National Register of Historic Places · 2017
South Holston Dam is the TVA dam that creates South Holston Lake and feeds the world-class trout tailwater below. Completed in 1950, the 285-foot earth-and-rockfill dam is one of the highest in the TVA system. The overlook at the top provides views of the lake to the north and the river valley to the south, a great stop on the way to the Osceola Island recreation area and the South Holston River fishery.
The Tennessee Valley Authority began building South Holston Dam on the South Fork Holston River in February 1942. Work paused during World War II and resumed in 1947. The gates closed November 20, 1950, and the dam began generating power February 13, 1951. The earth-and-rock structure stands 285 feet high and 1,600 feet long. In 1991, TVA added an aerating weir downstream to raise dissolved oxygen in the cold water released from the dam base.
Visit Info
all: Open daily
S Holston Dam Rd, Bristol, TN 37620
Parking: Free at the dam overlook.
Visitor Tips
- ›Best at golden hour from the upstream side
- ›Combine with a visit to the tailwater downstream
- ›Generation schedule on TVA's site, affects downstream flow
Stay near this stop
Turn this into an overnight trip.
These places to stay are closest to South Holston Dam. Use them as your base, then add nearby food, trails, and events.
Featured in Routes
What to know before you go
- Access
- Paved overlook and parking; viewing area accessible.
- Parking
- Free at the dam overlook.
- Cell signal
- Moderate cell signal — main areas covered, expect dead spots
- Tips
- Best at golden hour from the upstream side
- Combine with a visit to the tailwater downstream
- Generation schedule on TVA's site, affects downstream flow
Pair this with
Pair South Holston Dam with South Holston Lake, Cherokee National Forest (Watauga Ranger District), and Observation Knob Park.
Within 6 miles, you can chain these into a half-day without driving back.
Verified by us
Verified 2026-07-01 · next review 2026-09-29
Report a problem with this listing
How we verifyWe acknowledge within one business day and publish verified corrections within 72 hours. Our accuracy policy.