JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Shellmound Campground, a long established and popular campground in Marion County, is set to relocate to a new plot of land following development of the Crown Harbor subdivision on TVA Road.
The property has been sold to Crown Harbor, which has full ownership of where Shellmound Campground is currently located. Mickey Rose, manager of the property for 24 years, explained how the land was first acquired back in 2003 by John “Thunder” Thorton of River Gorge Ranch and Jasper Highlands, who at the time acquired the property from TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority). The property stretches from I-24 all the way to the westernmost end of the campground, right where the site’s future location is in the works.
Rose explained how over the years, ownership of the entire property shifted from developer to several different banks until being acquired in 2019 by the owner of Crown Harbor. Upon acquisition, TVA required that Shellmound Campground relocate closer to Nickajack Dam in order for ownership of the property to be established.
“For them to have this piece, they would need to build a new campground over there closer to the dam,” said Rose.
The campground first opened in the late 1960s and quickly grew into one of the county’s most well beloved campsites for visitors from all around. The current location is 26 acres and hosts various campsites for visitors to book, while also having a boat ramp which, according to Mickey, provides prime access to the lake and Tennessee River due to its location providing shallower water.
Mickey expressed disagreement towards the campgrounds relocation, further noting how the new site will only be 18 acres in size and contain fewer trees than the current lot, while also losing the access ramp, public docks, beach, and gazeebo which helped to fuel the site’s recreational popularity over the years.
“A lot of people are not happy because this is taking place. But when you’re not the property owner, you just have to deal with whatever they decide,” said Mickey.
Upon completion, the campground’s new location will be owned under TVA, with Sean Stephens serving as the main developer. The new campsite is set for completion during spring of next year, with it to include 50 RV sites with built-in sewer, 10 tent based campsites, a new public swimming space and access ramp to the water. The original location, however, is still in operation and will soon close for the season as normally planned until all is developed and ready for relocation.