Shoal Bay

Campground · Arkansas · 79 bookable sites ·

Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers

Dardanelle Recreation Area (Recreation Area) · Open Access

79
Bookable sites
82 ft
Max rig length
up to 100
People per site
3
Accessible sites
363 ft
Elevation
SHOAL BAY

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.

The facts

  • 79 bookable sites
  • 2 sites for day use only
  • 3 accessible sites
  • Vehicles up to 82 ft
  • Up to 100 people per site
  • Loops: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, P

Site types

  • 77 Standard Electric
  • 2 Group Shelter Electric

Amenities

  • Electric hookups
  • Water hookups
  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

79 campsites at Shoal Bay

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
A1AStandard ElectricBack InPaved25 ft8♿ 🐾
A2AStandard ElectricBack InPaved30 ft8 🐾
A3AStandard ElectricBack InPaved44 ft8 🐾
A4AStandard ElectricBack InPaved35 ft8 🐾
A5AStandard ElectricBack InPaved38 ft8 🐾
GS1AGroup Shelter ElectricBack InPaved20 ft100♿ 🐾
GS2AGroup Shelter Electric—Paved20 ft50♿ 🐾
B1BStandard ElectricBack InPaved46 ft8 🐾
B10BStandard ElectricBack InPaved37 ft8 🐾
B11BStandard ElectricBack InPaved27 ft8 🐾
B12ABStandard ElectricBack InPaved38 ft8 🐾
B12BBStandard ElectricBack InPaved32 ft8 🐾
B12CBStandard ElectricBack InPaved34 ft8 🐾
B2BStandard ElectricBack InPaved52 ft8 🐾
B3BStandard ElectricBack InPaved52 ft8 🐾
B4BStandard ElectricBack InPaved33 ft8 🐾
B5BStandard ElectricBack InPaved33 ft8 🐾
B6BStandard ElectricBack InPaved52 ft8 🐾
B7BStandard ElectricBack InPaved57 ft8 🐾
B8BStandard ElectricBack InPaved28 ft8 🐾
B9BStandard ElectricBack InPaved46 ft8 🐾
C01CStandard ElectricBack InPaved48 ft8 🐾
C02CStandard ElectricBack InPaved48 ft8 🐾
C03CStandard ElectricBack InPaved46 ft8 🐾
C04CStandard ElectricBack InPaved46 ft8 🐾
C05CStandard ElectricBack InPaved48 ft8 🐾
C06CStandard ElectricBack InPaved47 ft8 🐾
C07CStandard ElectricBack InPaved48 ft8 🐾
C08CStandard ElectricBack InPaved49 ft8 🐾
C09CStandard ElectricBack InPaved48 ft8 🐾
D1DStandard ElectricBack InPaved45 ft8 🐾
D2DStandard ElectricBack InPaved62 ft8 🐾
D3DStandard ElectricBack InPaved49 ft8 🐾
D4DStandard ElectricBack InPaved44 ft8 🐾
D5DStandard ElectricBack InPaved47 ft8 🐾
D6DStandard ElectricBack InPaved50 ft8 🐾
D7DStandard ElectricBack InPaved55 ft8 🐾
D8DStandard ElectricBack InPaved30 ft8 🐾
D9DStandard ElectricBack InPaved33 ft8 🐾
E1EStandard ElectricBack InPaved50 ft8 🐾
E2EStandard ElectricBack InPaved53 ft8 🐾
E3EStandard ElectricBack InPaved49 ft8 🐾
E4EStandard ElectricBack InPaved51 ft8 🐾
E5EStandard ElectricBack InPaved29 ft8 🐾
E6EStandard ElectricBack InPaved26 ft8 🐾
E7EStandard ElectricBack InPaved46 ft8 🐾
E8EStandard ElectricBack InPaved51 ft8 🐾
F1FStandard ElectricBack InPaved45 ft8 🐾
F2FStandard ElectricPull ThroughPaved60 ft8 🐾
F3FStandard ElectricPull ThroughPaved82 ft8 🐾
F4FStandard ElectricBack InPaved64 ft8 🐾
G1GStandard ElectricBack InPaved43 ft8 🐾
G10GStandard ElectricBack InPaved44 ft8 🐾
G11GStandard ElectricBack InPaved46 ft8 🐾
G2GStandard ElectricBack InPaved33 ft8 🐾
G3GStandard ElectricBack InPaved38 ft8 🐾
G4GStandard ElectricBack InPaved45 ft8 🐾
G5GStandard ElectricBack InPaved53 ft8 🐾
G6GStandard ElectricBack InPaved34 ft8 🐾
G7GStandard ElectricBack InPaved50 ft8 🐾
G8GStandard ElectricBack InPaved44 ft8 🐾
G9GStandard ElectricBack InPaved30 ft8 🐾
H1HStandard ElectricBack InPaved43 ft8 🐾
H2HStandard ElectricBack InPaved33 ft8 🐾
H3HStandard ElectricBack InPaved39 ft8 🐾
H4HStandard ElectricBack InPaved33 ft8 🐾
H5HStandard ElectricBack InPaved48 ft8 🐾
H6HStandard ElectricBack InPaved46 ft8 🐾
H7HStandard ElectricBack InPaved33 ft8 🐾
H8HStandard ElectricBack InPaved39 ft8 🐾
H9HStandard ElectricBack InPaved30 ft8 🐾
P1PStandard ElectricBack InPaved44 ft8 🐾
P2PStandard ElectricBack InPaved42 ft8 🐾
P3APStandard ElectricBack InPaved25 ft8 🐾
P3BPStandard ElectricBack InPaved30 ft8 🐾
P4APStandard ElectricBack InPaved30 ft8 🐾
P4BPStandard ElectricBack InPaved25 ft8 🐾
P5APStandard ElectricBack InPaved30 ft8 🐾
P5BPStandard ElectricBack InPaved20 ft8 🐾

Getting there

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

35.31000, -93.43056 · 35°18'36.0"N 93°25'50.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in3.63.34.75.05.74.02.93.74.04.05.14.0

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

PARK MAP
Photo: USACE · Recreation.gov
SHOAL BAY

Member photos

Common questions about Shoal Bay

Can you reserve a site at Shoal Bay?
Yes, Shoal Bay is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Shoal Bay have?
79 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Shoal Bay?
82 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Shoal Bay?
Yes, pets are allowed at Shoal Bay.
Does Shoal Bay have hookups?
Electric, Water.
Are campfires allowed at Shoal Bay?
Campfires are allowed at Shoal Bay. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Shoal Bay

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-21.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.