Best Campgrounds near Dardanelle, AR

Camping options surround Dardanelle, Arkansas, with sites positioned along Lake Dardanelle and near Mount Nebo State Park. The area features several established campgrounds including Old Post Road, Russellville Campground, and Dardanelle Campground within Lake Dardanelle State Park. Mount Nebo State Park provides camping with spectacular views from one of the highest points in the region. Accommodation types vary widely from tent and RV sites with hookups to cabins and glamping options in yurts. Most developed campgrounds offer amenities such as drinking water, electric hookups, and sanitary facilities, while some locations feature more primitive sites for those seeking a less developed experience.

Seasonal considerations affect camping experiences throughout the area, with some campgrounds like Piney Bay operating from March through October while others remain open year-round. Campers should note that the drive up to Mount Nebo involves a steep, winding road that limits access for larger RVs. The majority of campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, though availability varies by location. Several sites offer picturesque views of the Arkansas River, Dardanelle Rock, and the surrounding landscape. Proximity to water activities is a notable feature of the region's camping options. As one visitor noted, "The lock and dam was a neat site to look at along with the view of Dardanelle Rock across the river. Mount Nebo State Park and Lake Dardanelle State Park are very short drives from the campground."

Many campers appreciate the natural beauty and recreational opportunities available at these locations. The campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring nearby attractions, with several visitors highlighting the views from Mount Nebo as particularly impressive. The campground at Mount Nebo sits atop one of the highest points in Arkansas, offering panoramic vistas of Lake Dardanelle and the surrounding area. Most developed sites provide amenities like showers, toilets, and picnic tables, though the level of facilities varies between locations. Campsites at Mount Nebo State Park are described as being relatively close together with limited privacy, while the campgrounds along Lake Dardanelle offer more spacious sites. A camper remarked about Lake Dardanelle State Park: "The spots are spacious and aesthetically nice, wood and charcoal grills at the ready, most are shaded well, the shower/restrooms are air conditioned and spacious."

Best Camping Sites Near Dardanelle, Arkansas (191)

    1. Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park

    105 Reviews
    Adona, AR
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 727-5441

    $25 - $40 / night

    "_ There are several viewpoints/vistas that you can access from roads (just two close together that involve some driving on gravel)."

    "Super cool paths, views and community. Tons of historical value and it's obvious that Arkansas cares about it's forests, natural resources and outdoor communities."

    2. Mount Nebo State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Dardanelle, AR
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 229-3655

    "Beautiful views of Arkansas River/Lake Dardanelle. Campsites are close together with little privacy. Several rental cabins as well."

    "This campground sits atop one of the highest points in AR offering views of Lake Dardanelles below and the surrounding area."

    3. Russellville Campground — Lake Dardanelle State Park

    16 Reviews
    Russellville, AR
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 967-5516

    "The State Park systems in the US are some of our favorite places to find beautiful camping spots, but Lake Dardanelle State Park in Arkansas tops most of them all."

    "Pretty campground on the lake. You can see Mount Nebo in the distance. Not much in the way of hiking trails. They have a short loop trail near the visitor center that is good for small children."

    4. Old Post Road

    5 Reviews
    Dardanelle, AR
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (479) 968-7962

    $26 - $75 / night

    "The lock and dam was a neat site to look at along with the view of Dardanelle Rock across the river."

    "Peaceful spot on the river with places to walk and enjoy your surroundings."

    5. Piney Bay

    13 Reviews
    Hagarville, AR
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 885-3029

    $16 - $75 / night

    "General: Two things you can count on in a Corps of Engineers campground: very reasonable rates and near water. This is a fairly large Corps of Engineers campground on Piney Bay."

    "A great little Corp park right off the Arkansas River. Sites are mostly level with water and electricity. Dump station in park. Nice clean bath houses."

    6. Ivy's Cove RV Retreat

    4 Reviews
    Russellville, AR
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 280-1662

    "Close to town but feels like the country."

    7. Dardanelle Campground — Lake Dardanelle State Park

    3 Reviews
    Dardanelle, AR
    3 miles
    Website

    "On the map it is to the West of Russelville on the same side of the lake. Check google where the state park is."

    8. COE Dardanelle Lake Old Post Road Campground

    3 Reviews
    Dardanelle, AR
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 968-7962

    "Plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails. Sand volleyball courts. Level sites. Easy back-ins. Beautiful view of the Arkansas River."

    9. Riverview

    3 Reviews
    Dardanelle, AR
    1 mile
    Website

    10. Outdoor Living Center RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Russellville, AR
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 968-7705

    "I was running late due to the distance. They called to check on us and left instructions in a box at the office with site number, WiFi, bath codes. Again very nice owners."

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Recent Reviews near Dardanelle, AR

980 Reviews of 191 Dardanelle Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Cherokee Park (Arkansas River) — Arkansas River Rockefeller Lake

    Best Corps of Engineers campground

    A beautiful spot with both lakeside campsites and shaded sites. All spaced for plenty of privacy. Each site has  power and water. Bathrooms are clean and have showers. $26 per night or $13 if you have a federal pass. I used my senior lifetime pass. Strong cell: 3 bars of 5G Verizon.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    FR94 Dispersed Campsite

    Peaceful site in the Quachitas

    Coordinates: 34.86190,-92.90667. Camped here Sept 9, 2025. Large dirt and grass site; very clean. May accommodate a truck camper or 2 smaller vehicles. Mostly level. Tent and hammock camping possible. No privacy from the road. The site has a rock fire ring. The site is surrounded by forest with the Flatside Wilderness Area just across the forest road. There are no hiking trails near the campsite, but there are opportunities to stroll and explore in the forest. The site is mostly shaded; Starlink connectivity may be a challenge. AT&T LTE service. Sporadic T-Mobile service. Quiet location. No one drove by during our stay. Note that there are a couple of dead trees in the middle of this site; choose the position of your vehicle and/or tent carefully. The Flatside Pinnacle hiking trailhead and parking for the Ouachita National Recreation Trail are located 3/4 of a mile north of the site along FR94. The forest roads approaching the site from the south are in good condition. In my opinion, I don't recommend anything larger that a truck camper. The approach from the north, however, is not as good. FR94 and FR805 are eroded at the higher elevations; lots of exposed embedded rocks. I believe a 2wd passenger car can very carefully get through this area with air-downed tires.

  • Benjamin S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Toad Suck

    ACOE Toad Suck

    Great little campground. Decently maintained. Most of the sites have concrete pads big enough for a couple tents. Solid concrete picnic table with a roof over it was nice. Parking was not very level but our 38ft schoolie fit fine with enough room for our car.

  • Amanda F.
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Mount Nebo State Park Campground

    Great place

    One of the best places I have camped in a while. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Nice trails and panoramic views.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    COE Lake Ouachita Crystal Springs Campground

    Must visit !

    Beautiful campground! Sites are spacious. Area is clean and lots of things to do. Near Hot Springs so we did a lot of exploring there.

  • Taylor E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Sam's Throne Campground

    Absolutely stunning

    Stayed here Monday afternoon to Wednesday morning. Everyone cleared out by Tuesday and I had Tuesday- Wednesday to myself. There are quite a few established sites. Not a good spot for solar or star link due to dense forest. No water or trash. Pit toilets. The sites are spread out. Not much firewood to collect, I bought wood from the nearby Red Oak store. Prices were very reasonable. Hiking is awesome here.

  • Robert N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Aux Arc

    Beautiful Arkansas

    Nice campground, although they are set up to cater to RVers. The RVs are quiet because they are using commercial power and not a generator. Me and my little tent are in the "Land of the Giants". Many fishermen out on Lake Dardanelle. Quiet after Labor Day camping.


Guide to Dardanelle

Camping near Dardanelle, Arkansas, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With beautiful landscapes and a variety of campgrounds, there's something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking a peaceful spot.

What to do

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Many campgrounds offer trails for hiking. At Mount Magazine State Park Campground, one visitor said, “The trails were nicely kept and the waterfall we hiked to on Lizard Trail was so picturesque!”
  • Water Activities: If you love water sports, check out Lake Ouachita State Park Campground. A camper shared, “The water is crystal clear and we could swim right from our campsites!”
  • Wildlife Viewing: Campers at Gulpha Gorge Campground have spotted various wildlife. One camper noted, “Very quiet despite being totally full with RVs.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Lake Catherine State Park Campground said, “The bathrooms were very good.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. One camper at Petit Jean State Park mentioned, “Our campsite was perfect. It was near the lake with full hookups.”
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Maumelle Park said, “The staff were friendly and helpful.”

What you should know

  • Road Noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A reviewer at Gulpha Gorge Campground pointed out, “A little close to a busy road, but if you have a creek spot you can hear the water flowing!”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For instance, at Ozark Campground, one camper noted, “No electric hookups or showers.”
  • Primitive Camping: If you’re looking for a more rustic experience, Mount Nebo State Park Campground offers primitive camping. One camper mentioned, “The campground has private residences dispersed throughout.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for kids. At Lake Ouachita State Park Campground, a reviewer said, “The camp hosts were so nice and friendly.”
  • Plan for Bugs: Some areas can be buggy, especially near water. A camper at Petit Jean State Park noted, “Just no signal. Also a little expensive for me but others may not think so!”
  • Bring Outdoor Games: Campgrounds often have open spaces for games. One camper at Maumelle Park suggested, “Enjoyed walking on the dock and view of the water.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Gulpha Gorge Campground mentioned, “The sites that back up to the creek are better.”
  • Wi-Fi Availability: Some campgrounds have decent Wi-Fi. A visitor at Lake Ouachita State Park Campground said, “The camp store had decent wood for sale.”
  • Be Prepared for Road Noise: If you’re sensitive to noise, consider this before booking. A camper at Mount Magazine State Park Campground mentioned the nearby highway noise.

Camping around Dardanelle, Arkansas, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a family adventure or a quiet getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Dardanelle, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Dardanelle, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 191 campgrounds and RV parks near Dardanelle, AR and 54 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Dardanelle, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dardanelle, AR is Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 105 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Dardanelle, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 54 free dispersed camping spots near Dardanelle, AR.

What parks are near Dardanelle, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 30 parks near Dardanelle, AR that allow camping, notably Lake Dardanelle and Nimrod Lake.