Dale Hollow Lake is a vacation destination that borders the Tennessee-Kentucky state line. 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.

Dale Hollow is also 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. Secluded tie-ups are located around the shore, offering visitors a peaceful nature experience. Visitors desiring modern camping facilities will enjoy four developed campgrounds providing premier water-front camp sites equipped with water and electric hookup.

The Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery is located a short distance below the dam. 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.

Dale Hollow Reservoir, located on the Kentucky-Tennessee border, was created by damming the Obey River. The project began in 1938 under the authorization of President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of New Deal initiatives aimed at providing flood control and generating hydroelectric power for rural electrification through what would become known as Dale Hollow Dam.

Prior to its construction, much of this land belonged to small farmers who utilized it primarily for agriculture and homesteading purposes. Ownership transferred from private hands to federal government oversight during preparations for creating the reservoir.

The area is rich with historical features including remnants of early settlements such as foundations or cemeteries now submerged underwater due to flooding caused by dam operations; these are often explored by scuba divers given their accessibility only via diving expeditions within park boundaries established around waters' edge post-construction era when recreational use became a primary focus alongside conservation efforts managed jointly between U.S Army Corps Engineers & Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).