Campground

Shoal Bay

Dardanelle Lake · NEW BLAINE · Arkansas — managed by US Army Corps of Engineers

Sites open now — checked live on Recreation.gov
Shoal Bay campground
Photo: Recreation.gov

Weekend availability at Shoal Bay

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 12, 11:44 AM PT
  • Fri, Sep 18
    Open
    57/77 sites
  • Fri, Sep 25
    Open
    47/77 sites
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Open
    51/78 sites
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Limited
    3/78 sites
  • Fri, Oct 16
    Open
    62/78 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 Shoal Bay?

as of September 13

Sites are open right now — we found space out to Oct. That changes fast at a campground. We check Shoal Bay 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)

Sep 19Open
Oct 3Open
Oct 17Open
Oct 31Open

Weekdays (Wednesday night)

Sep 16Open
Oct 7Open
Oct 28Open

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

Campsites & amenities

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

Campsites
79
Electric sites
79
Water hookups
57
Pull-through
2
Group Shelter ElectricStandard Electric

About this campground

Overview Download a Shoal Bay park map HERE  This shady campground sits on the scenic Shoal Bay arm of Lake Dardanelle, offering an excellent setting for boating, swimming and wildlife viewing. Recreation The lake, a popular spot for anglers, is brimming with white bass, largemouth bass, bream, crappie and large catfish. The Bridge Rock Trail winds along a rugged slope overlooking the narrows of Shoal Creek, offering excellent hiking opportunities. Dardanelle's Visitor Center is noteworthy for its "Renaissance of a River" theme. Interpretive exhibits express the progression of river valley from the time of early Native Americans to its present day.Facilities Shoal Bay offers 45 reservable campsites, most of which have electric hookups. Two large picnic shelters are also available. Amenities include a boat ramp, playground and hot showers.Natural Features Dardanelle Lake, sourced by the Arkansas River, spans 40,000 acres and boasts 315 miles of shoreline. The lake sits in the river valley between the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests. Nearby Attractions Bona Dea Trails and Sanctuary, with nearly 86 acres of wetlands and low woods, provide an ideal habitat for native wildlife. Visitors can explore the area on the 6 mile trail system.

Getting there

From New Blaine, Arkansas, take State Route 197 north for 2 miles. Follow signs into campground.

Elevation
363 ft
Contact
479-938-7335

Activities

  • SWIMMING SITE
  • WILDLIFE VIEWING
  • FISHING
  • CAMPING
  • BOATING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Shoal Bay

Popular Arkansas campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Shoal Bay 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 Shoal Bay 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.