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 123 single party campsites, four group camping (double party) sites 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 Standard Electric/Tent are group camping sites (70 & 71, 105 & 106, 110 & 111, 113 & 114). 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 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.   

General Site Notes:

• 50 Amp Service Available (View specifics under each site listing)
• Water Hookups/No Electric Sites: 14A-19, 21-25, 27-39, 43, 46, 110, 113, 114, 118, 119, 120
• Tent Only Sites: 14A-19, 30, 49-58, 110, 111, 113, 114, 120
• Paved Sites: 4-6, 9, 13, 78-80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 96, 97, 105, 106, 117, 132
• Sites with Electric and Water Hookups Include: 1-13, 20, 40-42, 44, 45, 47, 59-93, 95-109, 111, 112, 115-117, 121-132
• Group camping sites: 70 & 71, 105 & 106, 110 & 111, 113 & 114; 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. 

Day user fees are $5 per vehicle. The Corps annual day use pass and the America the Beautiful passes are also accepted for day use entry. Use the automated pay station to make day use fee payment with credit card.

To access the campground, entry is first made via the day use area. Registered campers do not have to make payment at the automated pay station. Registered campers will check in at the second registration building located at the campground entrance.

Obey River Park is adjacent to Sunset Marina. Obey River Park is operated by the Corps of Engineers and the marina by a private concessionaire. Visitors using the marina are subject to operating policies and any launch/parking fees associated with the marina.

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

Full rules and reservation policies for fees associated with changes and cancellations can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies 

• 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.

From Byrdstown, Tennessee, take Highway 111 south for 3 miles. After crossing the bridge turn right and follow the signs into the campground and day-use area, located to the left of Sunset Marina (2040 Sunset Dock Road, Monroe, TN 38573). From Livingston, Tennessee, take Highway 111 north for 15 miles. Follow the signs and turn left into the campground and day-use area. It is recommended that visitors do not rely soley on GPS or Mapquest to reach the park.