Dale Hollow Lake

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.

Primitive camping sites are remote and accessible by boat; a few have vehicle access. Each location is designated and marked. Each area has a vault or pit type toilet and a ground grill or fire circle. Tent camping is permissible within the designated areas. Cove Creek, Eagle Creek Ferry, Gunnel's Camp, Jones Chapel, Plank Yard, Red Oak Ridge A, and Taylors Ford are the only locations which provide for vehicle access. All areas are considered pack-it-in, pack-it-out locations with minimal services. Campers are expected to bring plenty of water and garbage bags. Cove Creek is the only location with drinking water.

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

Need to Know

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

Fires in designated areas only.
To access drive in sites, follow the directions or GPS information under the specific site info. Using GPS for Dale Hollow Lake Primitive Camping will direct to the Resource Manager's Comlex, not the camping site. Every site has the site GPS and/or driving directions listed under the specific site NEED TO KNOW tab.
Reserved campsites should be occupied by check-out on the day following your scheduled arrival date. If not, the reservation will be marked as a no-show and the site made available for another reservation.
Post a printed copy of your confirmation letter to your tent or at the site. To protect your identity, mark out the address information. Ensure that the reservation name, site and dates are visible. Camping is limited to a 14-day stay within a 30-consecutive day period.
Multi-party areas include Cove Creek, First Island, Taylors Ford and Plankyard. Reserving more than one site at a multi-party area for the purpose of reserving the entire area is not allowed and customers doing so are subject to having all their reservations cancelled. Those who desire a more secluded primitive camping experience should consider reserving at a single party site.
No water; please bring your own. Toilet facility consists of vault/pit type. You must bring your own toilet paper.
Pack out all your trash and camping items. Clean up the area before departure. No off-road vehicles allowed.
Parking locations on the lake may charge a use fee for that area.
Houseboats are permitted to tie up nearby the area.
Alcohol is not permitted at Cove Creek, Sewell Bend A, B, C and Red Oak Ridge A, B, C.
Complete rules and regulations enforced are found in Title 36, Chapter III, Part 327 Code of Federal Regulations. For more information visit US Army Corps of Engineers Rules and Regulations for Water Resources Projects
WARNIING! The level of Dale Hollow Lake can rise or fall suddenly without warning.
Campsites accessible by roadways are subject to day users and sightseers accessing the area. THOSE UNFAMILIAR WITH PRIMITIVE CAMPING ON DALE HOLLOW MAY WANT TO PHONE THE RESOURCE OFFICE TO CLARIFY THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PRIMITIVE CAMPING.
Campers are encouraged to use developed campgrounds where security and law enforcement services are provided. These services are not provided for primitive camping. Persons camping at primitive campsites do so at their own risk.
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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Contact Information

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Resource Managers Office, Dale Hollow Lake, 540 Dale Hollow Dam Road Celina TN 38551

Physical Address

For the physical location of each site, check the site notes for GIS info or reference the map.

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 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

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

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.

Available Campsites

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Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping