Obey River Park

Overview

Obey River Park is a spacious campground located on the shores of Dale Hollow Lake, in the hills of Tennessee. The campground provides the largest camping area at the lake, as well as the largest and most visited swimming beach.

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.

Obey River is the most popular campground and day-use area on Dale Hollow Lake. This is a vacation destination for camping, boating, skiing, fishing and beach-goers. The site is conveniently located next to a small community hosting restaurants, history and several marinas.

Facilities

Obey River Park Campground features 131 campsites and two large group picnic shelters. Electric hookups, drinking water, flush toilets and a dump station all create a comfortable camping experience.

A swimming beach, basketball court and playgrounds provide additional recreational opportunities. 

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 Sites are the picnic shelters.

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.

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.

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.

During migration seasons the call of the sandhill crane is often heard overhead. Lucky visitors might catch a glimpse of one up close, as they often land near the campground.

Nearby Attractions

The nearby towns of Byrdstown and Pall Mall, Tennessee, offer historic sites and tours. The Cordell Hull Birthplace and Memorial is located near Byrdstown, Tennessee. Hull, a great statesman, is most widely remembered as a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and the father of the United Nations. The Sergeant Alvin York Home Place, home of the World War I hero, is located in Pall Mall, Tennessee.

The Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery is about 35 miles from 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.

Charges & Cancellations

Fees for changes and cancellations can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies