Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping

About

Dale Hollow Lake Primitive Camping provides a truly remote camping experience along one of the clearest lakes in the eastern United States. The 32 primitive camping areas span 620 miles of forested shoreline across both Tennessee and Kentucky, offering over 70 individually designated family campsites. Most locations are accessible only by boat, creating a secluded backcountry feel despite proximity to developed recreation areas. The lake, completed in 1943 by the Army Corps of Engineers on the Obey River, holds the world record for smallmouth bass and is renowned as a trophy fishing destination. With 27,700 surface acres of water, boaters and anglers have vast territory to explore. From late fall through early spring, the area hosts the second-largest wintering bald eagle population in Tennessee and Kentucky. Facilities are minimal by design. Each site has a vault toilet and ground grill or fire circle, but campers must bring their own drinking water and pack out all trash. Cove Creek is the sole exception, offering potable water. Vehicle-accessible sites include Cove Creek, Eagle Creek Ferry, Gunnel's Camp, Jones Chapel, Red Oak Ridge A, and Taylors Ford. All other areas require watercraft access.

Directions

Camping locations are dispersed throughout Dale Hollow Lake across Tennessee and Kentucky. Most sites are boat-in only. Vehicle-accessible sites include Cove Creek, Eagle Creek Ferry, Gunnel's Camp, Jones Chapel, Red Oak Ridge A, and Taylors Ford. Reference the primitive camping map on Recreation.gov for specific site locations and access points.