Surrounded by the natural beauty for which the Arkansas River Valley is known, Lake Dardanelle is a sprawling 34,300-acre reservoir on the Arkansas River.
These two water resources combined here have put this area into the national spotlight as a major bass fishing tournament site. Lake Dardanelle State Park offers two areas on the lake: one park site is at Russellville, and the other is located at nearby Dardanelle. Both the Russellville (main park) and Dardanelle locations offer camping (74 sites: Russellville--16 Class AAA, 14 Class AA, and 26 Class B; Dardanelle Area--18 Class B), launch ramps, standard pavilions, picnic sites, restrooms, and bathhouses with hot showers.
Lake Dardanelle State Park is known for its thriving fishery. Aside from the 34,300 acres of recreational opportunity the lake provides, the state park has much more to offer, including a Heritage and Native Plant Garden and a colorful Butterfly Garden. Lake Dardanelle State Park in conjunction with the Pope County Master Gardeners planted the butterfly garden in 2005. The garden is located on the hillside across the parking lot from the park's 10,527 square foot visitor center. The garden includes nearly 100 plant species and is host to a myriad of butterfly species including Tiger Swallowtails, Spicebush Swallowtails, Buckeyes, and Monarchs, just to name a few.
There are several U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintained parks along the shores of Lake Dardanelle also. These parks have excellent camping and facilities.
LAKE DARDANELLE STATE PARK
- Located on 34,000-acre Lake Dardanelle
- Two separate lakeside settings
- 83 campsites
- Launch ramps and marinas
- Picnic sites, hiking and mini-golf
Exit #81 off I-40 at Russellville
Dardanelle Area: 4 miles west of Dardanelle On Ark. 22
2428 Marina Road, Dardanelle, AR 72802
Campsite reservations:. (479) 967-5516
http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/lakedardanelle/
E-mail: lakedardanelle@arkansas.com
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS PARKS ON LAKE DARDANELLE
Bona Dea Park
Day use only park. The nearly six miles of trails that wind through the sanctuary provide a multitude of recreational opportunities including walking, jogging, bicycling, nature photography, and nature study. For detailed description click here.
Location: In Russellville on Lakefront Dr.
Fees: Day use fee does not apply.
Open: Year round.
Cane Creek
Campsites: 9 RV/Tent with no hookups
Location: 3.5 miles northeast of Scranton on Hwy. 197, then north 2 miles on paved road.
Facilities: Vault toilet, boat ramp. User's fee charged (March-Oct.), closed in winter. Boat ramp open year-round.
Delaware
Campsites: 13 RV/Tent with no hookups
Location: .25 mile east of Delaware on Hwy. 22, then north 2 miles on Hwy. 393.
Facilities: Vault toilet, water, boat ramp, overlook, pavilion. User’s fee charged March-October, closed in winter. Boat ramp open year-round.
Dublin
Campsites: Day Use Only
Location: 7.3 miles east of Scranton on Hwy. 197.
Facilities: Vault toilets, water, boat ramp year-round, group shelter. (Open Mar. 1-Oct. 31) Boat launch fee charged year-round.
Old Post Road Park
Campsites: 40 RV/Tent with W/E
Location: 1.3 miles west of Hwy. 7 on paved road to Lock and Dam.
Facilities: Flush toilets, water, showers, boat ramp, dump station, tennis courts, basketball court, playground, mountain bike trails, baseball field, soccer-football field, pavilions, sand volleyball. Arkansas River Visitor Center open weekends during summer, open Mon.-Fri. rest of year. (Open year-round) User’s fee charged.
Piney Bay
Campsites: 90 RV/Tent with W/E
Location: 3 miles west of London on U.S. 64, then 3.5 miles north on Hwy. 359.
Facilities: Boat ramps, water, showers, restrooms, swim beach, dump station, 8 picnic sites, amphitheater, pavilion. (Open year-round) User’s fee charged. Boat launch and swim beach fee charged year-round.
Riverview
Campsites: 18 RV/Tent with W/E
Location: .75 mile north of Dardanelle on paved road to Dam.
Facilities: Vault toilets, water, pavilion. (Closed in winter) User’s fee charged Mar.-Oct. 31.
Shoal Bay
Campsites: 82 RV/Tent with W/E
Location: 2 miles north of New Blaine on Hwy. 197.
Facilities: Flush toilets, water, showers, boat dock and ramp, trailer dump station, group pavilions, swim beach, playground, Bridge Rock Nature Trail, amphitheater. (Open year-round) User's fee charged. Boat launch and swim beach fee charged year-round.
Spadra
Campsites: 30 RV/tent with E
Location: 2 miles south of Clarksville on Hwy. 103 to Jamestown, then 1 mile on access road.
Facilities: Flush toilets, water, showers, boat dock and ramp, pavilion, trailer dump station, marina and restaurant. (Open year-round) User’s fee charged. Boat launch fee charged year-round.
Sweeden Island
Description: Class B Park with a trailer dump station, visitor protection, and 28 sites with water, 22 of which have electricity. A picnic shelter is available for rent March 1 – October 31. It is scenically located on bluffs overlooking the Arkansas River. Many opportunities exists here for waterfowl viewing and fishing. For more information, contact the park Office (*manned from March 1 – October 31) 479-641-7500 or the Project Office.
Location: 15 miles south of Atkins on State Hwy 105.
Facilities: 28 total campsites, 22 campsites with electricity, 1 picnic shelter, 1 boat launching ramp.
Fees: Day use fee does not apply. Campsite fees range from $10 -$16. Picnic shelters at $35 daily rental, for rent March 1 – October 31.
Open: March 1 - October 31.
For more information of U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Parks at Lake Dardanelle, visit: http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/parks/dardanelle/ or click the link below.
