Arkansas Messabout, 2nd Annual
September 22-24, 2006
Dardanelle State Park, Russellville Camping Area
Russellville Camping Area
Lake Dardanelle
Russellville, AR
Phil Lea, host
[email protected]
The campsite classing system in AR is a little different for some of us. For an explanation click HERE.
Phone the park for reservations
Park Map
Info from Phil on campsites: The safe places to overnight a boat pulled up on shore is in the south end of the cove near the boat dock & marina (~hard bottom, occasional rock like Rend Lake, no rip rap), or on the sandy beach near the pavilion (below the "M" in "Minature Golf"). On Loop C, sites 48, 49, 52, and 53 are the closest to the south end of the cove. However, these are more exposed to the sun than 47, 50, 51 which are right across the road shaded more by pines. The sites on this loop are more frequented by motorhomes so you might spend the night listening to their air conditioners. If I was tent camping, I would prefer the Loop D across the main road, preferring 59, 63 or 65 (in that order) because they are shaded by pine, across from them in the "tent" loop are 62 and 64, a bit more in the sun. All of these sites have a view of the same section of the cove because all the trees are pines with their lowest branches quite high up--your boat can be seen from all of these sites, like across a grass fairway. All these sites have electricity. The sandy beach by the pavilion is not in sight of any camping spot but is a perfect (and legal) spot to spend the night sleeping in your boat. The motorhomes go to the loop closer to the lake so I guess there are more hookups of some kind (water, sewer ?). Loop A, with the superior view of the lake, is surrounded by riprap. Loop B at the north end of the cove is a muddy bottom with too many nasty waterfowl (waterfoul!?). The bathhouses are marked and are only a short walk from Loop D.
Events planned: Phil has rented the park shelter all day Saturday in case of rain or too much sun. The bass and catfishing are reported to be excellent.
Max Wawrzyniak's write-up on 2005.