CampgroundDay Use

Dale Hollow Damsite

Near Celina, Tennessee

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.

Facilities

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:

An RV Site is a paved/concrete site for wheeled camping units such as motorhome, fifth wheel, pull trailer and pop-up campers. RV sites are not suitable for tents.
A Standard Site is one with a fine gravel surface pad. It will accommodate wheeled units and tents.
A Tent Site will accommodate tents only.
Group Standard Electric are group camping sites (19 & 40, 21 & 39, 22 & 38). One fee for both sites. ATB pass discounts do not apply. View cancellation policies as group site refund policies differ from standard sites.
Group Shelter Electric is the picnic shelter.

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:

50 Amp Service and Water Hookups on all sites EXCEPT site 37
Site 37 does NOT have water/electric hookups
Paved Sites: 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 34, 38, 39, 40, 69 & 70
Accessible Sites: 60, 61 & 62
Group camping sites: 19 & 40, 21 & 39, 22 & 38; ATB pass discounts do not apply
Visitors to Campers will be charged a per vehicle per day fee
Fees and site conditions are subject to change

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.

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.

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.

Important Dates

Date Range

Description

June 16th 2025

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Birthday

September 27th 2025

National Public Lands Day

June 7th 2025

Kids Fishing Rodeo, Dale Hollow Fish Hatchery, 8 am-12 pm

July 10th 2025

Wilderness Day Camp, hosted by Hatchery 8am – 2pm

June 7th 2025 - June 13th 2025

June 7th TWRA Free Fishing Day/Week. Everyone can fish free in TN public waters, no license required. Kids 15 and under can fish for free all week, June 7-13

July 4th 2025 - July 6th 2025

Operation Dry Water National Boating Under the Influence Awareness and Enforcement Campaign

May 17th 2025 - May 23rd 2025

National Safe Boating Week

October 18th 2025

“Hollow-Ween” in Parks: site decorating, trick-or-treating hosted by on-site park staff

Activities

Day Use Area
Fish Hatchery
Hiking
Fishing
Camping
Biking

Amenities

Accessible Sites
Amphitheater
Basketball Courts
Boat Ramp
Dump Station
Entrance Station
Fish Cleaning Stations
Fishing Pier
Flush Toilets
Parking Area
Picnic Shelters
Playground
Showers
Volleyball Courts
Washer & Dryer
Wireless Internet
Quiet Area
Grills/Fire Ring
Picnic Table
Water Hookup
Electricity Hookup
Accessible Occupant Message
Accessibility
Electricity
Grills
Flush Toilets (Seasonal)
Paved Parking
Picnic Tables
River Access
Water (Seasonal)
Drinking Water (peak season)

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.

Getting Here

Latitude

36° 32' 16.0001" N

Longitude

85° 27' 24.9998" W

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.

Need to Know

We look forward to your visit. Please ensure your camping party and visiting guests either receive a copy of the confirmation or are advised of our policies.

Firewood Policy – Campers may only burn certified heat treated firewood, commercial fire logs, kiln-dried, unpainted, unstained lumber that is free of any metal or foreign substance, or dead and downed branches in the area adjacent to the campsite. View the Nashville District Firewood Policy

STOP THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES. Remove plants, seeds, animals, and mud from boots, gear, pets, and vehicles. Clean your gear before entering and leaving the recreation site. Stay on designated roads and trails; follow local guidelines for firewood. CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY boats, and any other recreational equipment that contacts water. For more information visit https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/rec.

Title 36 Rules and Regulations are enforced at Dale Hollow Lake. For more information visit US Army Corps of Engineers Rules and Regulations for Water Resources Projects

Alcohol is not permitted.

Only licensed vehicles are permitted. Each campsite is provided for two pre-paid vehicle entry. Additional vehicles, or visitors to campers are charged a fee per day per vehicle.

All equipment and vehicles must be located on the designated site pad. Camping is limited to a 14-day stay within a 30-consecutive day period.

Gates are closed from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. Plan your arrival accordingly. Register at the campground office prior to occupying your site. When arriving during office closed hours, follow the instructions posted in the window. Return the next day to register and check-in. Late arrivals should call the park at 931-243-3554. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. No generators shall operate during quiet hours.

Holders of the American the Beautiful Senior or Access Pass must present the discount pass and one form of photo identification upon arrival. If the proper documentation is not provided, the full recreation use fee must be paid to use the facility. If a customer makes more than one reservation for the same location and date(s), the discount will only apply to the site the pass owner occupies.

Domestic pets (dogs/cats only) are permitted and must be leashed, controlled and attended at all times with proper removal and disposal of any waste produced by the pet.

Check-in is 3 pm; check-out is 2 pm Central Standard time.

Dale Hollow Damsite Campground is located in a low lying area. During periods of excessive or heavy rain some sites or the surrounding area may pond with standing water.

Recreation.gov Rules and Reservation Policies are followed at this park. These policies can be reviewed here .

If you need assistance during your stay, call 931-243-3554. Our contact information is located under the Contact section of this website or on park bulletin boards.

Black bears have been seen in the area. Stay alert and be prepared to react appropriately during possible encounters. Properly store food, trash and pet food. Learn more at https://bearwise.org/