Sunset Marina offers visitors a full-service way to experience Dale Hollow Lake, whether the plan is an overnight stay, a houseboat vacation, a day on the water or a long weekend built around fishing, boating and relaxing by the lake.
Guests can choose from a range of lodging options, including cabins, chalets, lodge rooms and houseboats, making it easy to find accommodations that fit the style and pace of the trip. For many visitors, the appeal begins with waking up near the water and having direct access to the lake experience that brings people back to Dale Hollow year after year.
Sunset Marina also offers a wide variety of rental options for guests who want to get out on the water. From pontoon boats and fishing boats to personal watercraft and other recreational options, the marina provides convenient access to the kind of lake time families, couples and groups come here to enjoy. Dale Hollow Lake is especially well known for boating, scenic cruising and world-class smallmouth bass fishing.
Beyond lodging and rentals, Sunset Marina offers the convenience of on-site amenities that make a lake stay easier and more enjoyable. The ship’s store provides many of the supplies guests may need during their visit, and the marina setting allows visitors to spend less time driving and more time enjoying the lake.
The on-site restaurant adds another layer to the experience, giving guests a place to relax, dine and take in waterfront views without leaving the property. Together, the lodging, marina services, dining and recreation options help make Sunset Marina more than just a place to book a room or rent a boat. It is a place where visitors can settle in and enjoy the full Dale Hollow Lake experience.
The surrounding area adds even more appeal, with the natural beauty of Dale Hollow Lake serving as the backdrop for boating, fishing, sightseeing and quiet time on the water. Sunset Marina’s combination of accommodations, recreation and location continues to make it one of the most established and appealing destinations on the lake.
In 2018 Dale Hollow Dam celebrated 75 years of operation and meeting the mission for which it was designed. The dam continues to provide hydropower and support its other intended purposes such as flood risk reduction, water supply, environmental stewardship and outdoor recreation.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District designed Dale Hollow Dam and Morrison-Knudsen, private contractors under the supervision of the Corps, built the dam. The Corps awarded the contract Dec. 30, 1941 and mobilization, clearing and construction of roadways and support structures began immediately. Construction of the dam began March 2, 1942. With sister construction of civil works projects suspended due to war, Dale Hollow Dam was rushed to completion on Oct. 20, 1943, but discontinued construction of the powerhouse.
The Corps fully impounded Dale Hollow Lake May 7, 1944. Work on the power house resumed in July 1946. Three Francis turbines were installed in December 1948, January 1949 and November 1953. Each unit generates 18,000 kilowatts for a total of 54,000 kilowatts, enough power to electrify a community of 45,000 and provide support to the national grid.
The dam impounds a length of 61 miles of the Obey River creating Dale Hollow Lake with 620 miles of shoreline, 27,700 acres of water, and 24,842 acres of land for recreational opportunities.