Dardanelle Campground — Lake Dardanelle State Park
Awesome stay - friendly and helpful staff
Had a large time here!! Great staff, park and marina! Will definitely be back!
185 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Russellville, Arkansas spans a wide range of options, from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups, cabins, and yurts, with campgrounds along Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River. The area features Corps of Engineers sites like Old Post Road campground and state park facilities including Mount Nebo State Park and Lake Dardanelle State Park. Most developed campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, with several offering full sewer connections for extended stays. Proximity to both water recreation and mountain terrain creates varied experiences within short driving distances.
Many campgrounds in the Russellville area remain open year-round, though seasonal considerations affect amenities and reservation requirements. The region experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable camping conditions. Several campgrounds provide shaded sites that offer relief during summer months. "We love this place, but can only stay a week because they do not have sewer. The trees and the shade are wonderful. Peaceful spot on the river with places to walk and enjoy your surroundings," noted one visitor about Old Post Road campground. Reservations are recommended for weekend stays, particularly at lakefront sites during summer months and holiday periods when occupancy reaches capacity.
Waterfront camping is a significant draw in the Russellville region, with sites along Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River receiving positive reviews. The lock and dam area provides interesting scenery at several campgrounds, with one camper mentioning, "The lock and dam was a neat site to look at along with the view of Dardanelle Rock across the river." Activities nearby include fishing, boating, hiking, and mountain biking. Campgrounds like Lake Dardanelle State Park feature family-friendly amenities including swimming beaches, playgrounds, and educational visitor centers with aquarium displays. Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities with flush toilets and hot showers, though more primitive options exist for those seeking a less developed experience.
"_ 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."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Reservable sites are nearly on top of each other. Might be good if you have kids with you. There is a playground adjacent and a pool/bathhouse close by."
"A great Arkansas destination for outdoorsy people.The steep road climbing to the top of Mount Nebo keeps the big RVs away. Stop your car at the lookout point before you reach the top."
"The location is close to many of the region’s other recreation areas, trails, and Russellville is close enough to ensure you are well stocked."
"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."
"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"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."
"Peaceful spot on the river with places to walk and enjoy your surroundings."
from $26 - $75 / night
Check Availability"On the map it is to the West of Russelville on the same side of the lake. Check google where the state park is."
"You can drive up to the less attractive and less conveniently located RV loop to use the showers, if you need them."
"Access to the creek is nice and plenty of space even on busy days. No cell service which was nice to get disconnected."
"Plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails. Sand volleyball courts. Level sites. Easy back-ins. Beautiful view of the Arkansas River."
from $40 / night
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Had a large time here!! Great staff, park and marina! Will definitely be back!
This is a long review but please read it. It is a public service announcement. Camp Conway greenbrier. Landlord Burt Zinser. Where to begin.. Let start with Ameneties. The website states Each site has full hook ups including 20/30/50 amp electric, clean city water, city sewer and fiber-optic high-speed WiFi. Guests at Camp Conway have the option of porches, sheds and gazebos with management approval. We also offer a bath house and a laundry. 1. Clean city water- it taste like plastic and chlorine. Must have a water filter if you actually want to drink it or give it to your pets. 2. Fiber optic high speed wifi. That's a joke. Shoddy at best. TCW repeatedly has to come out to fix it and it's still garbage. If you are okay with internet dropping in and out every 5 to 10 min, then it's great. Save yourself the headache and get your own, but don't expect Burt Zinser to reduce your rent for services he offers but you can't use. Here at camp conway you can expect to pay for services unrendered.(Not the only one that has this problem in the park) 3. Porches, sheds or gazebos. 100%, as long as you are one of his favorites, like the people in the pictures he uses on his website. The beautiful two story rv with full front porch, likes to watch what everyone else is doing and then go complain to Burt if she doesn't like how your lot looks or what your doing. Burt will be sure to tell you it's too much, or beauty is sometimes only in the eye of the beholder. 4. We also offer a bath house and a laundry. The"Bath House" is one shower, without a bathroom vent, a toilet and sink, in the laundry room and is always disgusting. Hair on the floors, wall, drain, soap scum, ect. The toilet has pubic hair and feces on and around it. No one cleans it, nor cleans up after themselves. Not sure who replaces the toilet paper but half the time it's empty. The laundry is two household washers and dryers. Costing 2.50, which isn't bad. Just don't run the washers at the same time or they flood the room(you will be blamed for over loading it) and expect to dry your clothes for an hour or so, or they will be damp. The state of the laundry room is horrible. Trash overflowing, dog hair, and random debris all over the floors. Again no one cleans them.( you think well I'll just get compact washer, expect to be charged extra for water and don't you dare hang clothes outside to dry, that includes beachwear and towels). It's not visually appealing. 5. Spacious lots. The outer lots are 600 and the other lots 565(it was 550 back in Feb, this is important to note). Price subject to change without a notice. Do Not expect Burt Zinsers crappy memory to remember not to over charge you(text wont help you either). Honestly, don't bother to ask Burt about it, or he will get annoyed and either kick you out or threaten to. I'll get to that later. The lots flood when it rains, grass is almost non existent, scorching heat from lack of trees and of course you have to love the red clay that gets over everything. Lots are suppose to mowed by him, but he hasn't mowed in the 5 months we've been here. He sends his child out, who does a half ass job weed whacking around the pedestals and mows part of the big field. If it wasn't for one of the permanent resident here mowing for people that ask him, it would be horrible. 6. Someone pointed out they have a huge open field with plans to extend the park, but currently it's a great dog area to let your dogs off leash to play. WRONG. DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE OFF LEASH. Expect to be harassed about picking up your dog poop. Even when you do, other people do not, while letting their dog roam free and you will be blamed. He has plans to extend the park, true, but until then expect for Burt to constantly remind you that until the park fills up, it all comes out of his pocket, so he's loosing money. You can rent one of his tiny homes if you want to pay near 1,000 for a studio apartment, open floor plan, with a 500 dollar, per pet, fee. You will be secure too as one of his security cameras point directly in the front windows of the current one and only tiny home he has on the premises. 7. Rules. It all depends which of his rules and who you are. If he tells you no AC units in the windows of RVs. There are currently 5 RVs that have units in the windows, so he doesn't really give a crap about that rule. I personally don't care but it was one of the things he stated when we called. No agressive dogs. His example, like pitbulls. Hey as long as you tell him it's another breed he doesn't know the difference and isn't bothered to check. I see nothing wrong with pitties, he's just the type that believes in bad dogs, not bad owners. Oh and on that note you will be sure to hear or be told, that you don't need another mouth to feed, or straight up told you can't keep another pet if you get one. 8. Privacy. Don't expect it. Burt Zinser likes to meddle in people's business. He gives unsolicited relationship advice, opinions on how you should decorate, how your vehicle looks, if your working or not(regardless if you pay rent on time, he doesn't like it if you are a stay at home person). Our experience here has been crap. We moved into the park on Feb 3rd. The lot was one giant mud pit. We asked if he would buy grass seed and we'd care for the lawn until it fully grown. We were told yes at first then the next day we received a text staying no because then he'd have to do that for everyone. We bought grass seed, tilled the land by hand and grew grass. We called about the internet 3 different times. The first time he handed us a wifi extender, that didnt work and TCW said it was pointless since it wasnt hooked into landline nor had bluetooth capabilities. He then had TCW come out two more times to"fix" it, before we said screw it and got starlink. When asked if he would remove the fee for the interent we can't use. He said no. When we asked why are we paying for something we can't use, he stated it was our problem, not his. For the month of Feb rent was 550. March 550. April we TEXT him after hours and asked him to gIve us a call so we could pay rent. HE CALLED US, did the transaction and got off the phone. We checked and noticed he overcharged us, 565. We TEXT him again and pointed out he over charged us. HE CALLED US BACK. He asked when we had moved in, we told him Feb, he apologized and refunded the 15 dollars. When asked when he was going to raise the rent if he would be notifying us. We asked if we would still be paying 550 until then. He called us nieve to think rent wouldn't change. When we explained that we didn't think it would stay 550 forever, but that we would be notified and not just him taking whatever amount he decides he wants. He got irritated said we were busting his balls and he hadn't eaten dinner yet but instead dealing with this crap, and that we were temporary visitors(i didnt know 5 months of renting was temporary). He belittled a person that has autism and learning disabilities when he was the one to CALL US BACK and interupt his own supper. We called during business hours and informed him of the condition of the shower being filthy and smelling of cat urine, because everyone closes the door behind them after a shower and there is no vent( burt decided it wasn't needed, told to us by someone else). We were told people are supposed to be cleaning up after themselves. We asked if he would get a deck brush, hose and cleaning supplies for us and we would clean it for free, once a week. He said sure. A week later we saw him on the property asked about it again. He got annoyed, we dropped it and bought an external on demand hot water heater to be able to shower and feel clean. Once again it was time for rent to be paid. I noticed he had been over charging us again for may and June, not even a week after he told me that August 1st was when the rent would be raised. I saw him on the property and walked over to bring it to his attention. He got irritated and told me that it was becoming a bit much. When asked what he was talking about he stated that no one else bothers him as much as we do, and it's overwhelming. I stated to him that we haven't been unreasonable in holding him accountable for his property. I had explained previously about my husband being autistic with learning disabilities that sometimes effect how he understands things. I brought up that he stated he thinks he's autistic and his wife has told him thay his facial expressions and attitude towards people can be offputting and misinterpreted. I would think he would be more understanding. I told him he obviously has an issue with my husband and that from now on he will be dealing with me since my husband irritates him so much. He tried telling me no that wasn't the issue. I cut him off and said that was exactly the problem or it was holding him accountable, or both. He asked if we be out by then end of the month and I said no, as we have done nothing wrong. Rent is never late. Always paid. Our site is clean, we follow the rules. The next day we received a text from him telling us to be out by the end of the month and he was sorry it didn't work out. Retaliation for a woman speaking to him. Burt Zinser is a horrible business man, landlord and human being. He has issues with speaking too and dealing with woman if they try to be an equal. I truly believe he's sexist and I'm not the only woman in this park that thinks that. If you and your husband are speaking to him, you ask him a question he will disrespect you by looking at your husband and answering. Ask around, talk to people in the park, and not his favorites. I'm hoping I can attach the photos I've taken around the park and facilities but if I can't, feel free to reach out. I have no problem sharing them, in hopes you won't support this man and his park. I will be posting this in every RV group I'm a member of, local community pages and restaurants. Let's hold this man accountable for his disrespect, horrible ethics, and business. Greenbrier is a better community then this man deserves and he shouldn't be allowed to continue this way.
Staff at gate was very k8nd and helpful. Grounds well kept and manicured. Camp sites under trees for,shade with water, electricity, picnic tables and fire pits. Needed to use levelers to get trailer leveled. Campground on Arkansas river at the dam and locks. Bathhouse was clean, looked like painted for this season. Only issues was heater running in shower, it was 80+ degrees didn't need more heat. I'd stay here again.
I grew up around this area so Waveland is always a safe choice for some casual casual camping. We chose site 06 because it’s a bit separated from the other areas and since there was hardly anyone there, it was almost dead quiet. Very private and peaceful. My only complaint is that there was no one working the station where you’re supposed to check in— we tried three separate times thinking maybe they were on break or at lunch, but no luck. We also tried calling several times but no one picked up. It rained quite heavily and stormed in the area, and a part of me wonders if it got bad enough, would anyone have come notified us to leave? The lake is currently closed to swimming and most everything except fishing/boating and in a certain area— but it’s in an effort to improve wildlife and fish populations, which was already quite noticeable!
Most sites are levelish side to side with down hill slope. There appears to be no supervision in this park. We have stopped here on our way out west then on our way back. No one has checked us in or made sure we were supposed to be there. Traffic moves from the boat ramp until late at night. Still a good stopover when traveling Verizon worked well.
Nice spot, especially if you get one of the old campsites. However those were taken by long term folks who either just left their trailer there with no one in it, or they ran generators through the night. The remaining campsites were inaccessible by car, so we ended up staying in the bathroom parking area. Bathrooms boarded up, no trash cans, a fair bit of trash lying around.
Well kept camsites. Clean and right on the beautiful Arkansas river. Would definitely come back.
Very nice park and clean bathrooms. The cedar falls are wonderful when it has been raining a lot. RV sites are spacious and a lot of locals like to stay there for short vacations.
It was awesome, the campsites were nice and so many beautiful sights to see and so much exploring to do. If you have a sedan or a smaller car it is very difficult and risky getting to the campsite, so I would recommend bringing a very capable offroad vehicle. Going around May the weather is perfect!
Campsites near Russellville, Arkansas range from primitive wilderness sites to developed campgrounds with full utilities. The region lies within the Arkansas River Valley at elevations between 330-1,800 feet, creating diverse terrain options for campers. Summer temperatures typically exceed 90°F with high humidity from June through September, while winter overnight lows can drop below freezing from December through February.
Swimming at natural pools: Long Pool Recreation Area features a popular swimming area with distinctive rock formations. "The big draw is the charming swimming area with its imposing trio of rocks that swimmers love to jump off of," notes one visitor to Long Pool Recreation Area.
Hiking diverse trails: Mount Nebo State Park offers trails ranging from easy to challenging with valley views. "There are two distinct areas of the 'Rim Trail' that can be driven to...to capture those special photos...Sunset Point and Sunrise Circle," according to a camper at Mount Nebo State Park Campground.
Educational programs: Lake Dardanelle State Park includes exhibits for learning about local ecology. "The information center was large and the employees were very friendly," states a camper at Russellville Campground, noting the educational opportunities available.
Private waterfront sites: Piney Bay campground offers multiple loops with waterfront access. "Most of the sites in Loops B and E are waterfront sites and are spectacular," explains a visitor to Piney Bay, who appreciated the layout of the water-adjacent camping areas.
Clean bathroom facilities: Old Post Road provides well-maintained facilities with hot water. "Very level sites, large fire rings and covered picnic tables. The hosts were super nice. Very clean bathrooms with hot water," reports a camper at Old Post Road.
Shaded campsites: Many campgrounds offer tree coverage for summer heat relief. "This campground has plenty of room in between campsites to stretch out," mentions a reviewer at Lake Dardanelle State Park, appreciating the spacing and shade trees.
Reservation requirements: Campgrounds like Petit Jean fill quickly during peak seasons. "It's really hard to get a reservation if you don't book at least a year out in A loop," advises a camper at Petit Jean State Park.
Road access limitations: Some campgrounds restrict larger vehicles. "At the base of the climb, signs posted numerous times, 'Crooked and Steep, no trailers over 24 ft'. I have driven up a lot of steep and twisty mountain roads, and these warnings are to be heeded," cautions a Mount Nebo visitor about the road conditions.
Amenities vary significantly: Many campgrounds lack full hookups or sewer connections. "We love this place, but can only stay a week because they do not have sewer," reports an Old Post Road camper about utility limitations that affect longer stays.
Playground accessibility: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "The kids love the playground. There is a nice wide boat ramp with plenty of parking situated in a peaceful cove," notes a camper at Lake Dardanelle State Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Deer and small mammals are common sightings. "We had hummingbirds at the site," shares a Piney Bay camper about the wildlife viewing opportunities directly from their campsite.
Swimming safety considerations: Water conditions change seasonally at river locations. "Swimming was a little chilly. We had a wonderful float trip down the piney in the kayak's I got dunked so that's how I know the water was chilly," warns a Long Pool Recreation Area visitor who recommends avoiding May swimming.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring equipment. "Many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level," advises an RVer at Petit Jean State Park.
Loop selection matters: Different camping loops offer varied experiences and hookups. "Trailer hookup sites next to C of E boat ramp, adjacent to numerous covered picnic sites and 3 playgrounds," explains an RVer at COE Dardanelle Lake Old Post Road Campground, highlighting the importance of loop selection for access to amenities.
Pull-through availability: Limited pull-through sites exist for larger rigs. "Easy parking, nice people, all the amenities you would need," reports an RVer at Ivy's Cove RV Retreat, one of the few private campgrounds in the area with pull-through sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Russellville, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Russellville, AR offers a wide range of camping options, with 185 campgrounds and RV parks near Russellville, AR and 56 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Russellville, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Russellville, AR is Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 108 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Russellville, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 56 free dispersed camping spots near Russellville, AR.
What parks are near Russellville, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 30 parks near Russellville, AR that allow camping, notably Lake Dardanelle and Nimrod Lake.
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