DALE HOLLOW LAKE - PRIMITIVE CAMPING campground

DALE HOLLOW LAKE - PRIMITIVE CAMPING

Mixed (reservable + first-come)
76 campsites
Open in maps

76

Total Campsites

Campground

56

Reservable Sites

Mixed (reservable + first-come)

Accessible

ADA-compliant sites

Organization

Managing agency

Overview

About DALE HOLLOW LAKE - PRIMITIVE CAMPING

Overview Dale Hollow Lake Primitive Camping is a unique series of 32 locations with a total of over 70 individually designated family campsites dispersed over 620 miles of shoreline. Campsites are located in both the states of Tennessee and Kentucky. Primitive camping offers a unique rustic lake front camping experience. Remote locations along the shoreline offer campers a peaceful nature experience. Most designated tent sites are accessible only by boat; while a few can be reached by country road. Campers are advised that these areas are remote, primitive sites. Toilets are vault/pit type outhouses. Campers desiring on-site attendant, security and law enforcement services are encouraged to use developed campgrounds where such services are provided. These services are not provided for primitive camping. Recreation Dale Hollow Lake, with its crystal clear water and forested hillsides, is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Dale Hollow is renowned for its fishing opportunities and holds the world record for smallmouth bass and is known as a trophy smallmouth lake. Boating and water skiing are 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. Facilities Dale Hollow Lake, with its crystal clear water and forested hillsides, is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Dale Hollow is renowned for its fishing opportunities and holds the world record for smallmouth bass and is known as a trophy smallmouth lake. Boating and water skiing are 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. 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 three 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. 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. Charges & 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. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. A $10 service fee may be charged to changes made to an existing reservation (see full policies for when this is applicable). A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night’s recreation fee for a campsite. Applicable fees, including service/cancellation fees and change fees, are non-refundable and subject to change. No refunds for recreation use fees may be made locally at the lake.

  • 76 total campsites listed.
  • 56 reservable sites plus first-come options.
  • Most common site type: boat in (33).
  • Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
DALE HOLLOW LAKE - PRIMITIVE CAMPING photo 2
DALE HOLLOW LAKE - PRIMITIVE CAMPING photo 3

Campsite Inventory

76 sites to choose from

BOAT IN

33total sites

33

Reservable

0

Accessible

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

24total sites

15

Reservable

0

Accessible

EQUESTRIAN NONELECTRIC

8total sites

8

Reservable

0

Accessible

MANAGEMENT

6total sites

0

Reservable

0

Accessible

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

5total sites

0

Reservable

0

Accessible

Amenities & Details

Everything you need to know

BOAT RAMP

Boat Ramp

BOAT TRAILER PARKING

Boat Trailer Parking

Campfire Allowed

Yes

Site capacity

N/A, Single

Check-in time

03:00 PM, 3:00 PM

Check-out time

02:00 PM, 2:00 PM

Condition Rating

Basic, Standard

Driveway entry

N/A

Driveway surface

Gravel, Paved

GRILLS

Yes

Grills/Fire Ring

Yes

HITCHING RACKS

Hitching Racks

HORSE STAGING AREA

Horse Staging Area

HORSEBACK RIDING TRAILS

Horseback Riding Trails

Hike In Distance to Site

2112

Horse Hitching Post

Horse Hitching Post, Yes

Horse Stall/Corral

Horse Stall/Corral

LAKE ACCESS

Lake Access

Reservations & Contact

Plan your stay

Mixed (reservable + first-come)

Phone

DALE HOLLOW LAKE RESOURCE MANAGERS OFFICE-931-243-3136. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY CONTACTS: CLAY COUNTY 931-243-3266 OVERTON COUNTY 931-823-5404 PICKETT COUNTY 931-864-3210 CLINTON COUNTY 606-387-5111 CUMBERLAND COUNTY 270-864-4141

Email

sondra.f.carmen@usace.army.mil

Getting There

Camping locations are dispersed throughout Dale Hollow Lake. Reference primitive camping map or site details for information on how to get to the specific site. Mailing and contact information is for the Resource Manager's Office.  GPS Coordinates listed above is the location of the Resource Manager's Office in Celina, TN. It is NOT the location of the camping site.

FAQ

Common questions

Everything you need to know before your trip to DALE HOLLOW LAKE - PRIMITIVE CAMPING.

How do reservations work for DALE HOLLOW LAKE - PRIMITIVE CAMPING?

Reservation availability for DALE HOLLOW LAKE - PRIMITIVE CAMPING can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.

What campsite types are available at DALE HOLLOW LAKE - PRIMITIVE CAMPING?

DALE HOLLOW LAKE - PRIMITIVE CAMPING currently lists BOAT IN (33), TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC (24), EQUESTRIAN NONELECTRIC (8), MANAGEMENT (6).

Where is DALE HOLLOW LAKE - PRIMITIVE CAMPING located?

See this page for location details and directions.

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