Lake Dardanelle camping offers diverse terrains within the Arkansas River Valley where elevations range from approximately 338 to 1,350 feet. Weather patterns in this region form quickly with storms developing more rapidly than other parts of the state. The Corps of Engineers manages several campgrounds around the lake with varying levels of amenities and access to waterfront sites.
What to do
Fishing from shore: Cove Lake Complex provides excellent bank fishing opportunities alongside boat rentals. "Great place to camp, been coming here my entire life and it has changed very little in that time. Boating, fishing, swimming, cabins available, lots of trails to hike," notes James N. from Cove Lake Complex.
Hiking to waterfalls: Several trails lead to waterfalls within a short drive from Lake Dardanelle. "The Cedar Falls hike is beautiful and a quick fun adventure. I recommend going to the Petit Jean Grave. The view is vast!" explains Sondra M. from Petit Jean State Park.
Boat launching: The lake offers multiple ramp access points for boaters. "This campground has plenty of room in between campsites to stretch out. It has one bath house with four individual unisex bathrooms... there is a nice wide boat ramp with plenty of parking situated in a peaceful cove," reports Harry S. about Spadra Lake.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening provide prime opportunities to spot local wildlife. "We were able to listen to a Barred Owl before going to sleep, mature pine trees giving a lot of shade," shares Greg D. about camping at Cove Lake Complex.
What campers like
Private bathrooms: Many campers appreciate the individual bathroom facilities. "The down side to the bathrooms is there is not any good place to put your dry stuff while you shower. The kids love the playground," mentions Harry S. about Spadra Lake Dardanelle.
Waterfront campsites: Sites with direct water access rank as favorites. "Sites in Loops B and E are waterfront sites and are spectacular, however, there are only two bathhouses and while they are centrally located, be warned you may have a hike to get to one," advises Lee D. from Piney Bay.
Quiet setting: Campers value the peaceful atmosphere at many campgrounds. "This is a fairly well maintained Corp of Engineers park. Large bathroom facility was clean and well-maintained. Many of the sites were very level and there are many sites right down near the water," writes Rick about Piney Bay.
Dog-friendly amenities: Most campgrounds welcome pets with designated areas. "This quiet and relaxing spot was a great place to be. There was good spacing between campsites... Many people making use of the lake by swimming and boating," notes Christina H., who camped at Piney Bay with her dog.
What you should know
Train noise: Some campgrounds have nearby tracks. "A train track—complete with random trains passing—runs parallel to the campground road. But wait! Don't let that scare you off. We've been here 10 days so far & have enjoyed hearing the trains," explains EH G. from Spadra Park Campground.
Bathroom distances: Bathhouses can be far from some sites. "Our reserved site was E11 and the walk to the bathhouse was a quarter of a mile. We were fortunate to switch to B23 where the walk was much shorter," notes Lee D. about Piney Bay.
Nuclear plant visibility: The power plant appears in views from certain areas. "This campground would be five stars if there was not a nuclear power plant in view from my camp site... It is worth the visit, just know that your eye will continually see the power plant in the background," says Matt S. from Lake Dardanelle State Park.
Limited water hookups: Not all sites have individual water connections. "You need to read the entire description of YOUR site before you book! SOME of the sites don't have water hook-ups. But the view is so beautiful, use your jerry can—there is plenty of shared water access—to fill your tank," advises EH G. about Spadra Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "This was a beautiful park with lots to do, especially for kids. The information center was large and the employees were very friendly," reports Amy H. from Lake Dardanelle State Park.
Educational centers: Visit informational displays with kids. "A must see is the visitors centet!!!" recommends Sandy F. about Lake Dardanelle State Park, while another camper mentions, "Great welcome center with aquarium displays that are quite informative."
Safety near water: Watch children around steep shorelines. "The views are extraordinary, just stay back from the drop-offs bordering Lake Dardanelle!" warns EH G. from Spadra Park Campground.
Dog-friendly campgrounds Lake Dardanelle: Most sites welcome pets but require leashing. "Nicely spaced campsites on the shores of Shoal Bay. Clean sites with easy access for large rigs," notes James N. from Shoal Bay, a pet-friendly option.
Tips from RVers
Site angles: Pay attention to campsite orientations when booking. "Some sites are angled differently and there is no clear indication how you have to enter the loop to be able to access your site. It can create some frustration when trying to get set up," warns Ryan S. from Petit Jean State Park.
Level challenges: Bring leveling equipment for certain sites. "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level," notes Ryan S. about Petit Jean State Park's B loop.
Utilities placement: Note the locations of hookups when selecting 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," advises Ryan S. about pet-friendly campgrounds at Lake Dardanelle.
Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging for larger rigs. "Roads are narrow as are spots. The spots also say they're 'big/long enough' for a 42' rig but in reality it's super tight," warns Emily R. about Piney Bay.
