Dale Hollow Lake offers prime camping opportunities near Hilham, Tennessee, with several campgrounds situated along its 620 miles of shoreline. The Cumberland Plateau location provides a moderate climate with temperatures averaging 85°F in summer and 45°F in winter. While traditional camping is common, yurt camping near Hilham, Tennessee has become increasingly available at select locations around Dale Hollow Lake.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Dale Hollow Dam Campground, the Obey River provides excellent angling options. "Plenty of fish opportunities from boat, kayak, wading and shoreline. Campsites have plenty of shade but restroom/shower houses could use some repair/updating," notes Kenny P. Trout fishing is particularly good due to the nearby fish hatchery.
Hiking trails: Spacious Skies Belle Ridge features trails with elevated views of the surrounding countryside. According to Charlene, "We enjoyed hiking the trails and taking in the spectacular views of the Plateau!" The trails vary in difficulty but most are accessible for families with children.
Water activities: The clear waters at Dale Hollow Lake are perfect for swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding. Water temperature reaches the mid-80s during summer months, and most campgrounds offer direct lake access. One visitor to Indian Creek Campground describes it as "beautiful" with easy access to the lake.
What campers like
Lake access: At Wolf River Resort & Marina, campers appreciate the lakefront sites. "Most campsites overlook the lake and have a lovely view of sunset," reports Hilary A. Visitors can easily launch boats or kayaks directly from their campsites.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds around Hilham maintain good standards of cleanliness. At Kendall Campground, one camper observed it's "well maintained, quiet and beautiful. You can fish, hike, kayak or just relax. It's great for the whole family and the snack shack has great burgers & ice cream for those times you don't want to cook."
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the spacing between sites. At Dale Hollow Dam Campground, Gary P. noted, "Nicely spaced, some paved, most are level sites. Table, standup bbq grill, extra small table, lantern hooks, electric & water."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October or November. Dale Hollow Dam Campground operates from April 6 to November 4, while Lillydale's season runs from May 4 to September 16.
Quiet hours: Campgrounds typically enforce quiet hours from 10pm to 7am. This ensures peaceful yurt camping in Hilham, Tennessee and throughout the surrounding area.
Limited connectivity: Cell service can be spotty around Dale Hollow Lake. At Lillydale Campground, one visitor mentioned, "We had zero cell phone coverage. However, lack of television or ability to surf the web/social media really didn't bother us much. Our family of 4 spent most of our time kayaking, biking, fishing, and swimming."
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds offer playground equipment for children. At Dale Hollow Dam Campground, Chastity G. explains, "It has a park and volleyball area for kids to play at. It is close enough to the small town to pick up anything needed; but there isn't any camp store at the site itself."
Swimming areas: Look for campgrounds with designated swimming zones. "The kids had the best time," shares Drew E. about the swimming area at Spacious Skies Belle Ridge, where day passes cost $5 per adult with children under 6 free.
Educational opportunities: The fish hatchery near Dale Hollow Dam provides a learning experience. "The fish hatchery is fun for kids And there is a perfect swimming area by the dam," notes one visitor. Tours are typically available during daytime hours on weekdays.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many sites require minimal leveling. At Kendall Campground, Tom B. found "Clean, well maintained, spacious sites" with most being relatively level and accommodating for larger rigs.
Hook-up availability: Check which utilities are available at your campground. At Dale Hollow Dam, "Sites near the back of the campground by the fish hatchery were nice and back up to a fence, but constant construction noise. Plus a rather steep backup ramp to pad area," according to Gary P.
Dump station access: Several campgrounds have on-site dump stations, but not all sites offer full hookups. Kenny P. notes that at Dale Hollow Dam Campground, "restroom/shower houses could use some repair/updating. Also bring plenty of ice as there is no ice machine on site."
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