Lillydale Campground And Day Use

Dale Hollow Lake

Lillydale Campground and Recreation Area is located along the shores of Dale Hollow Lake in the hills of Tennessee.

Lillydale Campground features 112 single party campsites, one group island tent camping (double party) site, and one large group picnic shelter located in the day use. Electric hookups, drinking water, flush toilets and a dump station all create a comfortable camping experience.

Two boat ramps, two volleyball courts and two swimming beaches offer additional recreational opportunities. 

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.

Centrally located on Dale Hollow near the Tennessee-Kentucky State boarder, Lillydale was named one of the National Recreation Reservation Service's Top Ten Most Scenic Campgrounds to visit.

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. For a short time surrounding the Labor Day holiday, Purple Martins put on quite a show as thousands of these birds darken the evening sky. Needing to roost, they are using the small island adjacent to Lillydale campground as a layover during their migration south.

Nearby Attractions

The Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery is located about 32 miles from 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.

The campground is surrounded by a dense canopy of forest, and a hiking trail snakes through the landscape and along the lake shore. Lillydale hosts the best lake view of any campground on Dale Hollow Lake, with the most waterfront campsites.

The Accordian Bluff Hiking Trail is a 7.5 mile one-way trail that ascends to a ridge-top and back down to the shoreline of Dale Hollow Lake. The trail is ideal for birders and wildflower enthusiasts. This trail connects both Lillydale and Willow Grove Campgrounds and can be accessed via the trailhead located at the 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 

Contact Information

Mailing Address

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

Physical Address

Lillydale Campground and Day Use 985 LILLYDALE ROAD ALLONS TN 38541

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 931-823-4155 CAMPGROUND; 931-243-3136 RESOURCE MANAGER'S OFFICE, DALE HOLLOW LAKE

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Byrdstown, Tennessee, take Highway 111 south for about 13 miles. Turn north on 294/Willow Grove Road (at Big Springs Market) and continue for another 13 miles, then turn right onto Lillydale Road and continue to the entrance.

It is recommended that visitors do not rely soley on GPS or Mapquest to reach the park.

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery