Pleasant Grove Recreation Area

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Pleasant Grove Recreation Area

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

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Pleasant Grove Recreation Area
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Day-use facility with reservable group picnic shelter. There is no fee to make a reservation. Applicable day-use fees, service/cancellation fees and...
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Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Best Time to Camp at Pleasant Grove Recreation Area

Time your visit between late fall and early spring for a truly special wildlife encounter—this is when majestic American Bald Eagles grace the skies above Dale Hollow Lake, soaring over the clear blue waters as they hunt for fish. These seasonal visitors transform an already beautiful landscape into a birdwatcher's paradise, offering spectacular opportunities to witness one of nature's most iconic predators in action.

Best
Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips

    About Pleasant Grove Recreation Area

    Perched on the pristine shores of Dale Hollow Lake, Pleasant Grove Recreation Area invites day visitors to experience some of Tennessee's finest water recreation. Launch your boat from the convenient ramp, cast a line for trophy smallmouth bass, or gather your group beneath the reservable picnic shelter where sweeping views of the impressive Dale Hollow Dam create an unforgettable backdrop.
    Pleasant Grove Recreation Area is a day-use facility focused on group and day recreational activities rather than overnight camping.
    Historical SignificanceThe story of Dale Hollow Dam is one of American ingenuity and transformation. Completed in 1943 during the height of World War II, this engineering marvel was built to tame devastating floods and generate much-needed power for the Tennessee Valley. Today, the dam's legacy has evolved far beyond its original purpose—it anchors a recreational wonderland that welcomes millions of visitors each year. Just downstream, the Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery continues this tradition of resource management as the largest federal trout hatchery east of the Mississippi River, raising millions of fish annually that stock waterways across the eastern United States.
    Weather and SeasonsTime your visit between late fall and early spring for a truly special wildlife encounter—this is when majestic American Bald Eagles grace the skies above Dale Hollow Lake, soaring over the clear blue waters as they hunt for fish. These seasonal visitors transform an already beautiful landscape into a birdwatcher's paradise, offering spectacular opportunities to witness one of nature's most iconic predators in action.
    Natural Features and SceneryDale Hollow Lake stretches across 27,700 surface acres of crystalline water, its famous clarity revealing depths that draw anglers and divers from across the country. The lake's remarkable 620 miles of shoreline wind through densely forested hills, creating countless hidden coves and scenic vistas where the Obey River's original channel now lies submerged beneath those trademark clear-blue waters. From Pleasant Grove's vantage point, the landscape unfolds in layers—the immediate shoreline perfect for launching adventures, the expansive lake surface reflecting Tennessee skies, and the dam's concrete face rising as a testament to human achievement amid natural beauty.
    Geological RegionNestled within the rolling Hills of Tennessee, Pleasant Grove sits where the ancient Obey River meets the modern marvel of Dale Hollow Lake. This landscape represents the meeting of geological time and twentieth-century engineering, where limestone-rich valleys carved over millennia now cradle one of the Southeast's most beloved reservoirs.
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    Campsite details

    Total Campsitesnull campsites
    Recommended CampsitesDo not rely solely on GPS or Mapquest to reach the site; follow provided directions from Celina via Route 53 and Old Route 53. The reservable group picnic shelter has five picnic tables and grills.

    Best Campsites

    Curated by campers, for campers
    Reveal picks

    Reserving a campsite

    Groups
    • Large reservable group picnic shelter located on a peninsula with views of Dale Hollow Dam
    • shelter contains five picnic tables and grills and is available for group day-use reservations.
    Tents
    Tents are not allowed
    RV vehicles
    RV vehicles are not allowed
    Primitive
    Primitive are not allowed
    Reservable
    Reservations are allowed

    Site layoutLarge group picnic shelter with five picnic tables and grills located on a peninsula; facility includes flush toilets and drinking water. A boat ramp provides lake access.
    Reservation Platformshttps://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies
    Cancellation PolicyFull reservation and cancellation rules referenced at https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies. Customers who cancel a group day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before arrival forfeit the total day-use fee. No-shows forfeit the entire day-use fee. Applicable fees are non-refundable and subject to change; no refunds for recreation use fees may be made at the campground.

    Accomodation available

    GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

    Amenities available

    Potable water
    Picnic tables
    Flush toilets

    Activities you can enjoy

    The recreation area on Dale Hollow Lake supports lake-centered recreation and wildlife viewing, with a boat ramp and picnic facilities on a peninsula overlooking Dale Hollow Dam.
    Fishing
    Dale Hollow Lake is renowned for fishing—famous for trophy smallmouth bass (including the world record smallmouth) and the Obey River below the dam is known for rainbow and brown trout fishing.
    Boating
    Boating is popular on Dale Hollow Lake (27,700 surface acres, 620 miles of shoreline); a boat launch/boat ramp is provided for lake access.
    Wildlife viewing
    American Bald Eagles are commonly spotted late fall through early spring; Dale Hollow hosts the second largest wintering eagle population in Tennessee and Kentucky.
    Winter Activities
    Eagle viewing late fall through early spring.
    Water Sports
    Water skiing and other recreational boating activities are popular; lake offers extensive space for water recreation.
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    Campground rules

    • Pets are not allowed

    Hazards

    General hazardsNavigation caution: visitors are recommended not to rely on GPS or MapQuest to reach the park.

    Weather at Pleasant Grove Recreation Area

    35
    °F
    Dec 11
    Thursday
    Overcast
    Precipitation: 0%
    Humidity: 76%
    Wind: 10.3 mph
    Overcast

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    Good to know

    Proximity to water featuresLocated along the shores of Dale Hollow Lake with a boat ramp providing direct lake access.

    Campground Map

    Pleasant Grove Recreation Area
    Driving directionsFrom Celina, Tennessee, turn northeast on Route 53 and continue for 4 miles. Turn right on Old Route 53 at the Cedar Hill/Pleasant Grove exit and follow signs to the park. It is recommended that visitors do not rely on GPS or MapQuest to reach the park.
    Accessible via Tennessee Route 53 and Old Route 53 (turn northeast on Route 53 from Celina; follow signs to park).
    Nearby places
    Celina, TN — the dam is located about 3 miles east of Celina
    campground access described from Celina (approx. 4 miles on Route 53 then Old Route 53).

    Reviews from booking and map sources

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    1 reviews
    Limited Reviews
    Limited Reviews
    Pleasant Grove Recreation Area has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
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    Last updated December 10, 2025
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