Dardanelle Lake — lakeside, fishingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
NEW BLAINE, AR, AR★ 4.4 (321 reviews)From $22/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
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. Shoal Bay offers 45 reservable campsites, most of which have electric hookups. Two large picnic shelters are also available.
Best for:AnglersBoatersWildlife watchersFamiliesSites:TentRV
LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseCheck-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
SeasonMay through October
Stay limit14 days
Max RV82 ft
Hookups79 electric sites
ADA sites3 sites
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire RingsElectric Hookups
Recreation
Picnic TablesFishing
Family & Pets
ShowersBoat Launch
Straight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Known issuesFederal campground — book early. No hookups at most sites. Seasonal operations.
Skip it if:✕ You need water or sewer hookups — not available at most sites✕ You plan to visit outside May-October — campground is seasonal✕ You require full hookups — only electric available on select sites
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground
Electric hookups available on select sites only; plan accordingly for RV setup
Bridge Rock Trail offers scenic hiking along Shoal Creek narrows
Best: May-October
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetT-Mobile
4G · 100%
Verizon
4G · 100%
AT&T
4G + 5G · 100%
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmAlert: White-tailed Deer, American Black Bear, Great Blue Heron, American White Pelican, Least Tern, Ornate Box Turtle, and Plain-bellied Watersnake documented in the area.
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
479-938-7335· Dardanelle Lake
Getting there →
From New Blaine, Arkansas, take State Route 197 north for 2 miles. Follow signs into campground.
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 — Dardanelle Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Dardanelle Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Shoal Bay cost per night?+
Shoal Bay costs $22–$75 per night. Hookup options: Electric hookups on select sites. No water/sewer.
What season is Shoal Bay open?+
Shoal Bay is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does Shoal Bay have hookups?+
Electric hookups on select sites. No water/sewer.
What is the maximum RV length at Shoal Bay?+
Shoal Bay can accommodate RVs up to 82 feet.
How do I make reservations at Shoal Bay?+
Shoal Bay is a federal campground — book 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.
What is the cell service like at Shoal Bay?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Shoal Bay is rated strong. Best carrier: AT&T. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is Shoal Bay open, and what are check-in times?+
Shoal Bay is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
Recreation.gov — Live site availability — updated every 30 min
recreation.gov · RIDB API
National Weather Service — Live hourly forecast + active alerts
api.weather.gov · open-meteo.com
Google Air Quality API — Live AQI at exact campground coordinates
airquality.googleapis.com
iNaturalist — Research-grade wildlife within 8km
api.inaturalist.org
Google Pollen API — Today’s tree, grass & weed pollen forecast
pollen.googleapis.com
FCC Broadband Map — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile 4G/5G coverage data
broadbandmap.fcc.gov · quarterly
Sunrise-Sunset.org — Sunrise, sunset & golden hour for today
api.sunrise-sunset.org
Google Street View — Campground entrance & access road imagery
maps.googleapis.com
RIDB — ADA sites, hookups, toilets, pets, campfire rules, bear boxes, max RV, activities, contact, directions
ridb.recreation.gov · /facilities /campsites /activities /links /recareas
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
$22 /night★ 4.4 (321)
SeasonMay through October
Check-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
Dates full? Get an availability alert
FAQ
How much does Shoal Bay cost per night?+
What season is Shoal Bay open?+
Does Shoal Bay have hookups?+
All 7 questions →Nearby Campgrounds
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