Shady Lake Campground
Ouachita National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Mena, AR, AR
Price: From $15 per night
Price range: $15–$40 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (4 reviews)
Season: May through October
Shady Lake is closed to horses and all Off Highway Vehicles (OHV). Visitors are encouraged to access the Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) to identify routes where OHV activities are allowed on the Forest. Shady Lake makes an excellent base camp for those who wish to participate in such activities.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/shady-lake-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Shady Lake offers a peaceful 25-acre lake setting with excellent water activities including fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Highly rated by campers (4.5/5 stars) for its natural beauty, clean facilities, and friendly camp host.
Wildlife alert: Bald Eagles, Hooded Warblers, Razor-backed Musk Turtles, and Three-toed Box Turtles have been documented in the area.
Insider tips for Shady Lake Campground: Book early — it's a popular federal campground that fills up quickly Trailer OHVs to access nearby Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map routes; machines cannot be used at the campground itself Use as a base camp for day trips to nearby attractions like Albert's Pike
Skip Shady Lake Campground if: You need RV hookups — only electric hookups available; most sites have no hookups. You require cell reception — none available at campground. You plan to use OHVs or horses — both prohibited at Shady Lake.
Best time to visit Shady Lake Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Nearby campgrounds: Blue Ridge Park (Dierks, AR), Star Of The West (Murfreesboro, AR), Arrowhead Point (Murfreesboro, AR), Horseshoe Bend (Dierks Lake) (Dierks, AR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Shady Lake Campground
Cell signal at Shady Lake Campground (Mena, AR): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Shady Lake is closed to horses and all Off Highway Vehicles (OHV). Visitors are encouraged to access the Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) to identify routes where OHV activities are allowed on the Forest. Shady Lake makes an excellent base camp for those who wish to participate in such activities.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
it's a popular federal campground that fills up quickly
Trailer OHVs to access nearby Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map routes; machines cannot be used at the campground itself
Use as a base camp for day trips to nearby attractions like Albert's Pike
Campground operates seasonally during these months only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Ouachita National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Ouachita National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Shady Lake Campground cost per night?+
What season is Shady Lake Campground open?+
Does Shady Lake Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Shady Lake Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Shady Lake Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Shady Lake Campground?+
What season is Shady Lake Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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