Dale Hollow Damsite

Dale Hollow Lake

Dale Hollow Damsite is a quiet, peaceful campground in the green hills of Tennessee. The campground is a popular area for families, with an abundance of amenities and recreational activities available.

In the late fall through early spring the American Bald Eagle can be spotted flying overhead or perched on low-lying limbs. Dale Hollow hosts the second-largest wintering eagle population in the states of Tennessee and Kentucky.

Dale Hollow Damsite Campground features 72 single party campsites, three group camping (double party) sites and one large group picnic shelter. Electric hookups, drinking water, flush toilets and a dump station all create a comfortable camping experience.


There is no direct access to Dale Hollow Lake from the campground, but visitors can launch at the nearby Pleasant Grove Day Use Area, an easy 3 mile drive from the campground.

Camping is limited to a 14-day stay within a 30-consecutive day period.

Site Type Definitions:

For site specifics such as site measurements, parking and if the site is level, be sure to review the Information text at the bottom of each specific site page.

All camping equipment and vehicles are to be located on the designated site pad or parking areas.   

General Site Notes:

A Wi-Fi hub is provided in the vicinity of the registration center providing customers the opportunity to make calls, check weather, stay up-to-date on email, and use their mobile device for making future reservations or current reservation adjustments when the registration center is closed.

Need to Know

Natural Features

Dale Hollow Dam and Lake was completed in 1943. Although the dam was built for flood control and power generation, it has now become a recreational oasis for more than 3 million visitors each year.

The dam is located on the Obey River, about 3 miles east of Celina, Tennessee. Surrounded by a thick expanse of forest, the clear blue lake creates a stunning scenic backdrop for a variety of water and land recreational activities.

Nearby Attractions

The Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery sits adjacent to the campground. Operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the hatchery is the largest federal trout hatchery east of the Mississippi, producing 1.5 million trout annually. The hatchery is open to visitors daily.

Recreation

Dale Hollow is renowned for its fishing opportunities. In addition to yielding the world record smallmouth bass and being known as a trophy smallmouth lake, the Obey River below Dale Hollow Dam is also known for excellent rainbow and brown trout fishing.

Boating and water skiing are also popular activities, and with 27,700 surface acres of water and 620 miles of shoreline, there is plenty of space for campers to explore the lake. Secluded tie-ups are located around the shore, offering campers a peaceful nature experience.

A one-mile paved walking and biking trail winds through forest, along streamside and past a rolling meadow.

The Red Oak Ridge Trail is about nine miles away and hosts 18 miles of trails, mainly developed for horseback riding, but the area is available to hikers as well. The Accordian Bluff Hiking Trail is a 7.5 mile one-way trail which ascends to a ridge-top and back down to the shoreline of Dale Hollow Lake. It is an ideal trail for birders and wildflower enthusiasts and connects both Lillydale and Willow Grove Campgrounds. Trail access is located approximately 30 miles from Dale Hollow Dam Campground.

Changes & Cancellations

Full rules and reservation policies for fees associated with changes and cancellations can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies 

There is no fee to make a reservation.

Contact Information

Mailing Address

Resource Manager's Office, Dale Hollow Lake 540 Dale Hollow Dam Road Celina TN 38551

Physical Address

Dale Hollow Damsite Campground 200 CAMPGROUND ROAD CELINA TN 38551-9708

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 931-243-3554 CAMPGROUND; 931-243-3136 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICE, DALE HOLLOW LAKE

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Celina, Tennessee, take Highway 53 North for 2 miles. Turn right on Dale Hollow Dam Road, then take the second right on Campground Road. Follow signs to Dale Hollow Dam Recreation Area. It is recommended that visitors do not rely soley on GPS or Mapquest to reach the park.

Available Campsites

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