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Nature
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Water
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People
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Camping

Dispersed Camping

Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park

About

US Army Corps of Engineers

Dale Hollow Lake

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.

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Location

Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park is located in Tennessee

Detail location of campground

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.

Address

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

Coordinates

36.5669444 N
85.4786111 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Fair
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Dispersed
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Water Hookups

Reviews

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

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1 Star

50%
13%
13%
13%
13%

4.0

out of 5

8 Reviews

Reviewed Feb. 19, 2023

Kemper Flats Dale Hollow TN

I only spent 3 nights at Kemper Flats primitive campground for a fishing trip. We reached Kemper by pontoon boat from Willow Grove Marina a short 20 min ride. Nice site primitive cabin toilet no water faucet. Bring it in, take it out.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Andy K., February 19, 2023
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Andy K., February 19, 2023
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jan. 24, 2023

Dale Hollow Eagle Point

I camped at Eagle Point for a quiet relaxing few days , but due to a group of young lads who camped near me that was not going to be the case. They were loud and annoying and did not care for anybody else's privacy.

The camp site was ok , reached down a very bumpy track not suitable for RV or similar.

There was a porta toilet which was a bonus but lots of trash left behind by other campers.

The site is on the top of a high cliff so no water swimming was possible. Very shady area. There is a boat ramp next to the site which was in constant use day and night.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Andy K., January 24, 2023
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Andy K., January 24, 2023
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Andy K., January 24, 2023
Reviewed Jan. 13, 2023

Kemper Flats Dale Hollow TN primitive camping

We took a pontoon boat out to Kemper Flats on Dale Hollow lake for a few days relaxing fishing. Primitive site, island with a porta toilet. Camp right on the side of the lake, very quiet and peaceful

SiteKemper Flats Dale Hollow lake TN
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Andy K., January 13, 2023
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Andy K., January 13, 2023
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Andy K., January 13, 2023
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jan. 9, 2023

Taylors Ford primitive camping lakeside

Taylor’s Ford primitive campsite is down a steep windy track not suitable for big rigs. There are about 4 lakeside sites available all with good lake views

SiteDale Hollow Taylor’s Ford TN
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Andy K., January 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Andy K., January 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Andy K., January 9, 2023
  • (11) View All
Reviewed Jan. 9, 2023

Cove Creek camping lakeside

Cove Creek at Dale Hollow lake in TN is a primitive campsite with lakeside camping. There are water faucets for drinking water and a pit toilet available. Great views of the lake and plenty of sites available

SiteDale Hollow primitive camping
Month of VisitNovember
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Andy K., January 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Andy K., January 9, 2023
  • (14) View All
Reviewed Sep. 3, 2021

Terrible

We got there late for a primitive site and all the sudden the mgr and police show up mind u the mgr passed us 3 times instead of stopping as a professional mgr should he calls police and tells me the website does not state primitive lol. It was cluttered loud and tacky.

Siteprimitive tent
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Jun. 4, 2021

Beautiful Spot

Beautiful spot close to the water. Secluded area that can be reached via GPS coordinates ONLY (we learned this after trying to check in at the Dale Hollow campground).

Things to know:

  • there was no dumpster for trash

-hike in spot with vault toilet

  • 45 minutes from Standing Stone State Park
Site32
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Melody S., June 4, 2021
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Melody S., June 4, 2021
  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Melody S., June 4, 2021
Reviewed May. 17, 2017

Plankyard: Great price. Ok location.

We stayed for 2 nights at the Plankyard site. We were expecting the site to be more remote - but these sites are right off a large parking area and boat ramp. The sites are not well marked and there was some litter. There were lots of trees and shade, and ample water access. We won't be going back to that site, but will definitely be checking out some more of the primative camping sites in the area. For $3/night you really can't complain!

  • Review photo of Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park by Verity O., May 17, 2017

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park has water hookups.

Are fires allowed at Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park does not have wifi.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park?

There are 76 campsites at Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts