149 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Lake Dardanelle State Park offers pet-friendly camping across multiple loops with spacious sites and electric hookups. Pets are permitted at all campsites in the Russellville Campground area where RVs, tents and cabins are accommodated. Old Post Road Campground, maintained by the Corps of Engineers, welcomes pets with dedicated parking spaces for campers with boats, making it convenient for pet owners who enjoy water activities. Most sites include covered picnic tables, fire rings, and water/electric hookups to keep pets comfortable during the stay. The campground's layout provides shaded areas where dogs can relax with their owners, though pets must remain leashed at all times. Sites are clean and well-maintained with no visible trash, creating a safe environment for pets. The Dyrt includes reviews of campgrounds near Dardanelle, Arkansas.
Hiking trails near the campgrounds provide excellent opportunities for dog walking, though some visitors reported heavy tick presence minutes after starting certain trails, suggesting pet owners should use preventative tick treatment. Mount Nebo State Park is a short drive from Old Post Road and offers additional pet-friendly trails with scenic views. The lock and dam area near Old Post Road provides interesting walking paths with views of Dardanelle Rock and the Arkansas River. Campground bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, with air-conditioned shower facilities that provide privacy for campers after outdoor activities with their pets. Local amenities in Russellville, just 3 miles from Lake Dardanelle State Park, include pet supply stores and veterinary services. The park's visitor center features informative displays and is worth visiting, though pets are not permitted inside.
"We decided on Petit Jean State Park to be our first Arkansas camping experience and it did not disappoint!"
"Great areas to look around and hike. Restaurant is pretty decent and breakfast was hot and delicious. There’s a little petting zoo thing close by for kids. Playground was great."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $26 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $16 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails. Sand volleyball courts. Level sites. Easy back-ins. Beautiful view of the Arkansas River."
"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."
"The picnic table had a few steps up to it. This site is at the entrance, we might have preferred something at the back. Everyone coming in or out drove by our spot."
"There is also a lake nearby. Dog friendly.
There are lots of nature trails, but none very long.
Lots of ticks, tricky to get good starlink connection."
from $35 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $40 / night
Check Availability"Didn’t find any trails but nice to walk around."
"We had a drive thru site that had a beautiful view of the lake. Our boys enjoyed a fire and the nearby views of the dam!!"
from $24 - $75 / night
Check Availability
ScoutNice, quiet park. Laundry facilities nice and clean. Clean showers. Nice dog park. Management friendly. On lake, so some boat noise. The cons were poor local TV satellite
service and no WiFi for monthly stays. Would stay here again.
TravelerThis was a great spot. The host responded quickly via email and we never saw another soul. The property is massive and you can let your pets off the leash. This was the first time we let our cats roam untethered and they loved it. Water and electricity provided, clear sky for starlink, and a fire pit. There were tons of flies though. No mosquitos that we could tell so thats a plus. Great quiet spot
ScoutSpent three nights. Called for reservations, very receptive owners no problems getting in. 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. Went in the next morning to settle bill. Office is stocked with a nice assortment of things that an RV owner might need for minor repairs. Camp site was pretty level, spacing is typical for a campsite built some years ago, but we had a site on the end so we didn’t feel too close to anyone. Owners have only had the campground for two years. Was told the water connections were their next priority. Connections are a little inconvenient due to being under ground level, but no problem connecting my water filter for my 5th wheel. Dog park was a short walk away, was clean. Campground was clean, dumpsters accessible for trash and area clean around them. We would be happy to stay there again.
RangerWe decided on Petit Jean State Park to be our first Arkansas camping experience and it did not disappoint! The area in and surrounding the park is absolutely stunning with amazing hiking opportunities. Waterfalls, rock outcroppings, flora and fauna… it’s all here! The site was surrounded by hardwood and pines and very private. Extremely pet friendly as well. We highly recommended staying here!
RangerTent campers have the better camping loop at this campground, closer to the water, nicer sites, most with plenty of trees for shade. You can drive up to the less attractive and less conveniently located RV loop to use the showers, if you need them. Some campsites are just a football-field distance from the rocky swim beach, while others sit either nestled in the woods or overlooking the creek from above on a small bluff. The big draw is the charming swimming area with its imposing trio of rocks that swimmers love to jump off of. Pets are not permitted around or in the water, so we prefer to leave our dog at home when visiting here. Hiking from the campground is terrific, too, particularly when the water is flowing to make waterfalls. Long Pool is a must-visit camping destination for Arkansas residents.
ScoutJust outside Conway, AR. Easy access to sites, very clean park. Plenty green areas to throw frisbee or just play with pets.
GuideWe camped here with some friends and really enjoyed it. 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 as well as the town of Russellville with Arkansas Tech University. Our campsite was on the river side and very quite and relaxing.
LegendCrystal Springs campground is great. The lake is great. I was too busy having fun and didn't take enough pictures. There are breathtaking views of the Ouchita Mountains. There is springs coming out of the ground on hikes. The creeks are crystal clear and fun to wade around in. There is a swim beach but you can swim anywhere. So when I got hot I just jumped in the water to cool down. Most the campsites are at the waters edge. We fished at night for catfish and caught what we needed. The campground is pet friendly. My dogs are like my kids and they had fun. There was a night or two when I had to hush them up because of raccoons. The bathrooms have hot and cold water. There is a fish cleaning station. Our campsite #18 was great. It had a picnic table, fire pit, barbecue grill and a little table beside grill and nice shade. The campground is about 16-17 miles from Hotsprings, Arkansas.
GuideLove this place because there are so many types of camp sites available. Great areas to look around and hike. Restaurant is pretty decent and breakfast was hot and delicious. There’s a little petting zoo thing close by for kids. Playground was great.
Camping opportunities near Dardanelle, Arkansas center around Lake Dardanelle, a 34,300-acre reservoir on the Arkansas River. The area sits at approximately 330 feet elevation and experiences hot, humid summers with mild winters, making year-round camping possible. Waterfront campgrounds provide direct access to fishing, boating, and swimming, with most sites offering electric and water hookups for tent and RV camping.
Hiking at Mount Nebo State Park: Located a short drive from Dardanelle, the park features several trails with different difficulty levels. "We spent most of our days hiking the many trails the park is known for. It was at peak Dogwood season, so the understory of the Forest was beautiful!" says a camper at Mount Magazine State Park.
Fishing at Piney Bay: This Corps of Engineers campground offers excellent fishing access with waterfront sites. "The lake itself, absolutely beautiful. that being said, the bugs were a little obnoxious," notes a visitor to Piney Bay. Anglers should bring bug spray, especially during summer months.
Explore the Lock and Dam area: The area near Old Post Road provides viewing opportunities of the Arkansas River's lock and dam system. "The lock and dam was a neat site to look at along with the view of Dardanelle Rock across the river," shares a camper at Old Post Road.
Private shower facilities: Campground bathhouses offer individual shower rooms with toilet and sink. "The showers are not very private other than a nasty mildewed shower curtain, but there is no where to dry off or dress that is private," warns a camper at Petit Jean State Park, highlighting the importance of checking bathroom conditions.
Spacious sites with lake views: Many campgrounds feature waterfront sites with views of Lake Dardanelle or the Arkansas River. "We had 05, which turned out to be a double, family space. We had tons of room and a direct view of the lake. Sunsets at this lake are beautiful!" shares a camper at Quarry Cove.
Educational visitor center: Lake Dardanelle State Park's visitor center features aquarium displays about local wildlife. "Great welcome center with aquarium displays that are quite informative," notes a camper from Lake Dardanelle State Park. The center provides context about the area's ecosystem and recreational opportunities.
Nuclear power plant visibility: Arkansas Nuclear One power plant is visible from some camping areas around Lake Dardanelle. "This campground would be five stars if there was not a nuclear power plant in view from my camp site," mentions a camper at Lake Dardanelle State Park.
Seasonal weather considerations: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity. Spring and fall offer more comfortable camping conditions. "If in Arkansas, Petit Jean State Park is a must. Go Spring or Fall for the View," advises a camper.
Tick prevention essential: Ticks are prevalent on many trails in the area, especially during warm months. "We tried to go hiking, but covered in ticks minutes after starting the trail," reports a camper. Bring repellent and conduct tick checks after hiking.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer playgrounds near camping loops. "The park has everything you would want, a beautiful visitor's center a gorgeous lake. Top of the line facilities, beautiful campsites, fun for the whole family," shares a camper at Lake Dardanelle State Park.
Swimming areas: Designated swim beaches provide safer water access for children. "There's a small, sandy swim beach and plenty of places to put in a boat or kayak," notes a visitor to Quarry Cove. Some swimming areas include shallow sections appropriate for younger children.
Campground noise levels: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours more strictly than others. "Quiet park that enforces the quiet time rule after 9:00," says a camper at Xtreme Paintball and Laser Tag, noting the importance of choosing campgrounds that match your family's needs.
Site selection for larger rigs: Some campgrounds have limited sites suitable for big rigs. "Areas A and B can accommodate large rigs and towables," advises a camper at Petit Jean State Park. Check site specifications when making reservations.
Leveling challenges: Many sites in the area require leveling equipment. "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level," warns an RV camper at Petit Jean State Park.
Utility hookup locations: Water and electric hookups may be positioned inconveniently at some sites. "Some sites have water and the picnic table on the opposite sides of the camper. it's purely inconvenient and I'm not sure why this is this way. pay attention when you book your site to campsite photos," advises an experienced camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Dardanelle, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Dardanelle, AR is Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 108 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Dardanelle, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 149 dog-friendly camping locations near Dardanelle, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
