Army Corps of Engineers · Dale Hollow Lake · Celina, TN

Dale Hollow Damsite

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.

More like this: electric hookups in Tennessee · reservable in Tennessee · big rigs in Tennessee · pets allowed in Tennessee · group sites in Tennessee

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Dale Hollow Damsite Campground Entry sign and Access RoadDale Hollow DamsiteDALE HOLLOW DAMSITE-RULES SIGNDale Hollow Damsite Campground
Photos courtesy of USACE · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard with electric62
RV with electric10
group standard electric3
group shelter electric1
Standard, no hookups1
Host/management3
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

77 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteTypeEntrySurfaceShadePowerWater / sewerWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresAccessibleRating
01ElectricBack-inGravelNone50 ampYes / –6 / 2YesStandard
02ElectricBack-inGravelPartial50 ampYes / –6 / 2YesStandard
03ElectricBack-inGravel50 ampYes / –6 / 2YesStandard
04ElectricBack-inGravelPartial50 ampYes / –6 / 2YesStandard
05ElectricBack-inGravelPartial50 ampYes / –6 / 2YesStandard
06ElectricBack-inGravelNone50 ampYes / –6 / 2YesStandard
07ElectricBack-inGravelNone50 ampYes / –6 / 2YesStandard
08ElectricBack-inGravelPartial50 ampYes / –6 / 2YesStandard
09ElectricPull-throughGravelPartial50 ampYes / –6 / 2YesStandard
10ElectricBack-inGravelFull50 ampYes / –6 / 2YesStandard

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.

Campground map of Dale Hollow Damsite
Campground map published by Army Corps of Engineers on Recreation.gov, credited to USACE. Open the image for full size.

Amenities & rules

HookupsElectric, water
Max vehicle length99 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesPayment will be limited to online or credit card transactions only.
AccessibilitySites 60, 61, 62, L1-Picnic Shelter are listed accessible
  • 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.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Dale Hollow Damsite30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 4.70 inches of precipitation, 0.3 inches of snowFebruary: 4.66 inches of precipitation, 1.5 inches of snowMarch: 4.97 inches of precipitation, 0.4 inches of snowApril: 4.81 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowMay: 4.74 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 4.75 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 4.62 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 4.25 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 3.87 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 2.90 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowNovember: 3.70 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowDecember: 5.48 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 36.9°F averageFebruary: 40.2°F averageMarch: 47.7°F averageApril: 57.0°F averageMay: 65.4°F averageJune: 73.0°F averageJuly: 76.6°F averageAugust: 75.7°F averageSeptember: 69.7°F averageOctober: 58.2°F averageNovember: 47.8°F averageDecember: 40.4°F average0 in2 in4 in6 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Livingston Radio Wliv, 13 miles from the campground at 975 feet, station USC00405332 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 53 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 2 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

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.

Nearest townCelina, Tennessee
Coordinates36.5378° N, 85.4569° W · Directions ↗

Charges and cancellations

  • 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).
  • Day of arrival cancellations or adjustments must be made by calling the park.
  • A customer who cancels a standard campsite 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).
  • Customers who cancel a group overnight campsite reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.
  • Customers who cancel a group day-use facility reservation (picnic shelter) less than 14 days before the arrival date will forfeit the total day-use fee.
  • No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night’s recreation fee for a campsite or forfeit the entire day-use fee for a day-use facility.
  • 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 at the campground.
  • Early departures must depart and drop their tag before the checkout time in order to receive a refund for the unused day.
  • Two-night weekend and three night holiday weekend minimum reservation requirement not subject to early departure refunds.

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗12.5 mi
Outdoor gearHail's Sports and Outdoors ↗30.1 mi
RV sales & serviceElzy's RV Service ↗56.2 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Dale Hollow Damsite Campground, TN

Worth a stop

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.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

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.

Guidebooks for Tennessee

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping: Tennessee
    Johnny Molloy, 2015
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Campgrounds in and Around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    Grueen Huffman, 2010
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Hiking Tennessee
    Kelley Roark, 2016
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Dale Hollow Damsite?

Sites at Dale Hollow Damsite are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Dale Hollow Damsite?

Payment will be limited to online or credit card transactions only.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Dale Hollow Damsite?

Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Dale Hollow Damsite?

A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.

Source: Charges and cancellations

How many sites does Dale Hollow Damsite have?

80 sites, including 62 standard sites with power, 10 RV sites with electric, 3 group standard electric, and 1 group shelter electric.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Dale Hollow Damsite?

Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Does Dale Hollow Damsite have hookups?

Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there showers or a dump station at Dale Hollow Damsite?

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.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Dale Hollow Damsite?

Yes, pets are allowed at Dale Hollow Damsite. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Dale Hollow Damsite?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Dale Hollow Damsite?

Sites 60, 61, 62, and L1-Picnic Shelter are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is there cell service at Dale Hollow Damsite?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map