Dalehead Tarn lies on the eastern flank of Dale Head, north of Honister Pass and Slate Mine. The shortest access is via a footpath from Honister Mine, leading up through the old quarries. Other paths lead across from Robinson to the west or Cat Bells and High Spy to the north.

The tarn is an attractive one in a grassy bowl, with rocks and crags surrounding it and Dale Head rising away to the north-west. There are reeds growing over the south-western arm of the tarn.