Shoal Bay

Star4.55
620 reviews
SHOAL BAY ROAD BOX 499, NEW BLAINE, AR 72859, USA
Indigenous Heritage
Family FriendlySummer Destination

Quick Facts

377 ft

Price

$22 - $26/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

45 campsites

Season

Open March 1 to Octo...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers
Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026
Shoal Bay
$22.00 - $26.00 / night
Campsite Fees
The recreation use fees range from $22-$26 for campsites with standard electric hookups. Group shelter electric sites are $75 per night. Additional...
Show more
Standard Site Fee$24.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$75.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
479-938-7335
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.55

Top-Rated

Based on 620 reviews

150 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanlakestaff

"Shoal Bay has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews, emphasizing cleanliness, peacefulness, and well-maintained facilities. However, occasional negative feedback regarding maintenance and specific site issues was noted."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

SHOAL BAY ROAD BOX 499, NEW BLAINE, AR 72859, USA

Shoal Bay

SHOAL BAY ROAD BOX 499, NEW BLAINE, AR 72859, USA

Nearby places
New Blaine: 2 miles
Russellville: Distance not mentioned
Fort Smith: Distance not mentioned.
Nearby supplies
Dollar General and two gas stations/minimarts within a few miles of the campground. A nearby country diner, 'The Dinner Bucket,' offers food options.

Best Time to Camp at Shoal Bay

From March through October, Shoal Bay transforms into an outdoor paradise where clear Arkansas skies stretch endlessly above. Spring arrives with perfect camping temperatures and wildflower blooms, while fall paints the surrounding forests in brilliant golds and crimsons. The consistently dry conditions during peak season mean more time around the campfire and less time dodging raindrops, making every adventure—from sunrise fishing to sunset hikes—a memorable one.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.5 / 5
Top 23% in AR

Spring praised for perfect camping temps, wildflower blooms and excellent overall conditions.

Planning Tips

  • Peak Season: March 1, 2025 - October 31, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open March 1 to October 31 annually. Reservations start June 20, 2025.
  • Current Alerts: COVID-19 guidelines for group shelters are in place. Major flooding previously impacted swimming conditions.

About Shoal Bay

Nestled along the tranquil waters of Shoal Bay, this hidden gem on Lake Dardanelle's scenic arm invites you to unwind beneath a canopy of mature trees. Whether you're launching your boat at dawn, watching children laugh on the playground, or refreshing under hot showers after a day of hiking and swimming, Shoal Bay Campground seamlessly blends outdoor adventure with modern comfort. Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in the abundant bird watching opportunities, while water lovers can explore endless coves and inlets right from their campsite.
Shoal Bay offers a variety of camping options, including standard electric sites and group shelters.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit
Maximum 14 nights during a visit.

Need help booking Shoal Bay?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.


Amenities available

Showers
Potable water
Electricity hookups
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings

Activities you can enjoy

Shoal Bay offers a wide range of activities, including hiking, fishing, swimming, wildlife viewing, and boating. These activities are enhanced by the scenic backdrop of Lake Dardanelle.
Hiking
Fishing
Swimming
Biking
Boating
Wildlife viewing
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsUser reviews highlight potential issues such as geese feces near campsites and E. coli contamination occasionally affecting the swimming area.
Active AlertsCOVID-19 guidelines for group shelters are in place. Major flooding previously impacted swimming conditions.

Weather at Shoal Bay

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

From Booking Sources
4.6
620 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Shoal Bay is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
Shoal Bay has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews, emphasizing cleanliness, peacefulness, and well-maintained facilities. However, occasional negative feedback regarding maintenance and specific site issues was noted.
Review Summaries
Based on 620 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers praised Shoal Bay for its beautiful lake views, clean bathrooms, helpful staff, and various amenities like boat ramps and playgrounds. One user stated, 'Shoal Bay is always well-kept and...
Show more
Based on 620 reviews

Common Concerns

Negative feedback included issues with geese droppings, occasional closures of swim areas, overgrown grass, and site-specific problems like drainage issues. One reviewer noted, 'There was standing...
Show more
Based on 620 reviews
Outdoorithm Community
0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Shoal Bay? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated March 8, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like
Camp Sage

Need help planning your trip?

Ask Camp Sage for personalized camping recommendations


Campgrounds
Dardanelle Lake
Shoal Bay