Campground

Pendleton Bend

Arkansas River - Wilbur D. Mills Pool · DUMAS · Arkansas — managed by US Army Corps of Engineers

Sites open now — checked live on Recreation.gov
Pendleton Bend campground
Photo: Recreation.gov · USACE

Weekend availability at Pendleton Bend

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Nov 3, 1:33 PM PT
  • Fri, Nov 6
    Open
    23/32 sites
  • Fri, Nov 13
    Open
    20/32 sites
  • Fri, Nov 20
    Open
    25/32 sites
  • Fri, Nov 27
    Open
    20/32 sites
  • Fri, Dec 4
    Open
    23/32 sites
  • Fri, Dec 11
    Open
    31/32 sites

Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.

How booked is Pendleton Bend?

as of November 4

Sites are open right now — we found space out to Jan 2027. That changes fast at a campground. We check Pendleton Bend around the clock, so the moment your dates fill up and a cancellation reopens them, you'll be first to know. Weekdays still have room — for now.

Weekends (Saturday night)

Nov 7Open
Dec 5Open
Jan 2Open
Jan 30Open

Weekdays (Wednesday night)

Nov 11Open
Dec 23Open
Jan 27Open

Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.

Campsites & amenities

Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.

Campsites
32
Electric sites
32
Water hookups
32
Pull-through
2
Group Picnic AreaStandard Electric

About this campground

Overview Pendleton Bend Campground and Day Use Park is located on the bank of the Arkansas River. The campground offers 31 campsites, a two lane boatramp, a comfort station with hot showers and restrooms, playground, picnic sites, and a group shelter that can accomodate 75 users. Recreation Hiking, fishing, boating, birding, and hunting are all popular activities for visitors. World-class bass and crappie fishing is found in Pool 2, and the tailwaters of the dam provide excellent opportunities to catch a variety of gamefish, especially catfish. A boat ramp is available for access to the Arkansas River. Hiking and birding is available in the nearby Trusten Holder Wildlife Management Area. Many species of waterfowl frequent the lower Arkansas River and its adjacent wetlands making this area a destination for waterfowl hunters.Facilities Pendleton Bend offers 31 campsites with electric and water hookups, 25 of which may be reserved. Additional amenities include a boat ramp, comfort station with hot showers and flush toilets, group picnic shelter, and a playground with picnic sites.Natural Features Pendleton Bend Campground and Park is located in the lush Eastern Arkansas alluvial bottomland forest in Desha County. Pendleton Bend Campground and Park is approximately 3.5 miles upstream of the Wilbur D. Mills Dam and Arkansas Electric Coop Hydropower Dam. The Campground and Park sits along the track for migratory birds as they come and go from the Gulf of Mexico, making it a destination for birders. Many species of waterfowl frequent the Arkansas River and adjacent wetlands making it a destination for waterfowl hunters. Nearby Attractions Nearby, visitors can visit the Arkansas Post National Memorial. Here, Henri de Tonti established the first European village west of the Mississippi River in 1686. In 1819, Arkansas Post became the capital of the Arkansas Territory and remained so until the Civil War. The Dale Bumpers White River Refuge is nearby that offers 160,000 acres of excellent hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities as well.

Getting there

From Dumas, Arkansas, take US-165 north for 9 miles to State Route 212. Head east for 2 miles and follow signs to the park.

Elevation
169 ft
Contact
870-548-2291

Activities

  • FISHING
  • CAMPING
  • BIRDING
  • BOATING
  • DAY USE AREA
  • HIKING
  • HUNTING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Pendleton Bend

Popular Arkansas campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Pendleton Bend around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.

Not ready to subscribe? Get a free weekend heads-up.

We'll email you if Pendleton Bend opens up for a weekend you pick. No account needed.

Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.