Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping
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.
More like this: reservable in Tennessee · pets allowed in Tennessee
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Boat-in | 38 |
| Tent-only | 25 |
| Equestrian | 8 |
| Standard, no hookups | 5 |
| Host/management | 7 |
Site guide
71 sites in 45 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Anderson Point | ANDERSON POINT | Boat-in | Partial | Lakefront | 15 / – | Yes | Basic | |
| 19 Cactus Island | CACTUS ISLAND | Boat-in | Partial | Lakefront | 15 / – | Yes | Basic | |
| 16 Casey Creek Point | CASEY CREEK POINT | Boat-in | Partial | Lakefront | 15 / – | Yes | Basic | |
| 27 County Line Island | COUNTY LINE ISLAND | Boat-in | Full | Lakefront | 15 / – | Yes | Basic | |
| 31 | COVE CREEK (Walk-In) | Tent only | Paved | Lakefront | 6 / – | Yes | Basic | |
| 31A | COVE CREEK. | Tent only | Paved | Lakefront | 6 / – | Yes | Basic | |
| 31B | COVE CREEK. | Tent only | Paved | Lakefront | 6 / – | Yes | Basic | |
| 31C | COVE CREEK. | Tent only | Paved | Lakefront | 6 / – | Yes | Basic | |
| 31D | COVE CREEK. | Tent only | Paved | Lakefront | 6 / – | Yes | Basic | |
| 31E | COVE CREEK. | Tent only | Paved | Lakefront | 6 / – | Yes | Basic |
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.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
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, Red Oak Ridge A, and Taylors Ford are the only locations which provide for vehicle access, all other sites are boat in only. 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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Camping locations are dispersed throughout Dale Hollow Lake. 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.
| Coordinates | 36.5669° N, 85.4786° 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).
- 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.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 12.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Hail's Sports and Outdoors ↗ | 31.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Elzy's RV Service ↗ | 55.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Best Campground Layout! Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park Campground #campgroundreview
Worth a stop
- 2 miDale Hollow Marina ↗Boat launch
- 2.7 miCedar Hill Marina ↗Boat launch
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Free Hills Rosenwald SchoolBuilding · Free Hill · 0.7 mi
- Clay County CourthouseBuilding · Celina · 1.9 mi
- Clark C. Fowler HouseBuilding · Tompkinsville · 5.3 mi
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.
Guidebooks for Tennessee
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Campgrounds in and Around the Great Smoky Mountains National ParkGrueen Huffman, 2010Find 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 Lake - Primitive Camping?
Sites at Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping?
A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping have?
83 sites, including 38 boat-in sites, 25 tent-only sites, 8 equestrian sites, and 5 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping?
Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping?
Yes, pets are allowed at Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping?
Dale Hollow Lake, with its crystal clear water and forested hillsides, is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Dale Hollow Damsite (2.3 mi), Willow Grove Campground (7.7 mi), and Lillydale Campground And Day Use (10.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby