Dale Hollow State Park, Burkesville, KY - 20-24 June 2018

Spent a great 5 days at Dale Hollow State Park.



I will do the review of Dale Hollow State Park first for those that just want to learn about the location.  After that I will write about our experience.



Reserving the site:  I made the reservation through the "All Stays Camp & RV" mobile application using my Reserve America account with no issues.  We paid 40.00 a night.  


 Travel to site:  From Frankfort, KY it was about a 2  1/2 hour drive.  Bluegrass parkway to Campbellsville exit and straight south on 2 lane road through Lebanon, Columbia to Burkesville.  Finding and entering the campground was very easy.  They are on Central Time Zone



 Checking in:  Arrived at the campground at 1100 check-in was 1400, they had no issue with checking in early.  Originally we could only get a reservation in L loop which did not have septic service but at check-in they had a site in C loop for 5 extra dollars a night.  Got a mirror tag and reservation tag to affix to our campground pole.  Check-in took no more than 5 min as no one was in front of us.  Check out is 1300.

Site:  Our site was C7.  The sites are in a sprocket layout and very easy to back into.  This was a flat blacktop site angled for easy backing into with minor leveling needed front to back and side to side.  The C loop does not have much shade but some of the other loops that bordered the woods seem to be shaded most of the day.  We were lucky to have a large tree the provided evening shade and a good tie up for the hammocks.  The fire pit was full size with a picnic table.  The sites are nicely spaced apart to not feel jammed.  The campground had 50 amp service but we had to use 30 amp as one leg of the 50 amp did not work.  Our surge suppressor lights indicated the bad line.  The electric boxes and septic were within close proximity of the site.  The water source was far away so we had to use two 25 foot hoses.  Water pressure was really strong.  




Dump Station:  There are 2 dump stations with the campground.  We did not have to utilize it as we had septic.    


 Activities:  The state park is all about the lake.  Other than the golf course all activities were lake oriented.  The hiking trails were not maintained and did not look like they were used very much.  We attempted one but was not able to continue due to the overgrowth.  Boat docks were abundant and if you have a boat this is definitely the place to camp.  There was a putt-putt golf course at the campground store that seemed to be in good shape.  The campground did have its own inground swimming pool that was in very good shape.  At the Marina there were boats and jet skis available for rent but really pricey.  There were several playgrounds nicely located within the campground

Campground pool


Marina

Marina

Playground

Facilities:  There are 2 bathhouses.  The bathhouse near us was a bit run down, not really dirty just old.  It has several showers, latrines, and sinks.  Just outside the campground the park has a lodge that looked really nice for those that would want to stay at the park but not interested in camping
Park Lodge


Overall campground:  This was a great campground with nice location around the lake.  There was a nice breeze up on the C loop which was elevated and it was really quiet and peaceful.  A limited supply store was on site.  There is no department store close so be sure to get what you need before leaving Lebanon.  Burkesville has a small IGA with reasonable food prices.  Quiet time started at 2300 and for the most part everyone adhered to that policy.   I did not see any signs that prohibited the use of external fire wood.  A return trip to this park would be in order to explore the lake on a boat.

Our Experience

 Wednesday:   Arrived and after changing sites to get one with septic we set up with no issues.  We made a trip to the IGA in Burkesville about 10 min away to get groceries for the week.  After getting back we loaded up the golf clubs and went to the state park course.  I had played this course once before and loved it.  The course is amazing and each hole is very unique  They had a twilight special for 18 holes with cart for $25.00.  The normal prices was $35.00.

Thursday/Friday:  These days we had rain showers off and on so we did a lot of napping and sitting under the awning.  Explored the campground and park.  Evenings were around the campfire and laying in the hammocks.  Watched a good horror movie: 30 Days of Nights and a true story drama 21
We also took a drive to Dale Hollow Dam.  There is a campground there but did not look to be near as nice as the park campground

Dale Hollow lake dam

Saturday:  Got hot again but managed to get in another 18 holes in the afternoon.


Amazing approach shot down hill over pond

Tee shot on great Par 5

Another tee shot on Par 5

Par 3 over a canyon


Turkeys were all over the course


Sunday:  Packed up and checked-out with no issues and was home by noon.

Campground rankings (best to worst) to date: #1 - Carter Caves, #2 Dale Hollow State Park, #3 Green River, #4 KY Horse Park

Next stop Holly Bay Campground, London, KY


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