Arkansas / Desha County

Pendleton Bend

Open — The campground is currently open and accepting reservations through Recreation.gov. Operating season typically runs May through September.

About

Pendleton Bend Campground and Day Use Park is a well-equipped U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facility located on the banks of the Arkansas River in Desha County, Arkansas. Situated in the lush Eastern Arkansas alluvial bottomland forest approximately 3.5 miles upstream from the Wilbur D. Mills Dam and Arkansas Electric Coop Hydropower Dam, this campground serves as an excellent base for river recreation and wildlife enthusiasts. The campground features 31 campsites with electric and water hookups, 25 of which can be reserved in advance. Additional amenities include a comfort station with hot showers and flush toilets, a two-lane boat ramp for Arkansas River access, a group picnic shelter accommodating up to 75 people, playground, and picnic sites. Sites allow up to two tents or one camper and one tent. Pendleton Bend is renowned for its fishing opportunities. World-class bass and crappie fishing is found in Pool 2, while the dam tailwaters provide exceptional catfishing for blue, channel, and flathead catfish, along with seasonal runs of white bass and crappie. The campground sits along a major migratory bird route between the Gulf of Mexico and northern habitats, making it a prime destination for birders. Many waterfowl species frequent the Arkansas River and adjacent wetlands, attracting hunters during waterfowl season. The nearby Trusten Holder Wildlife Management Area offers additional hiking and birding opportunities. Visitors can also explore the Arkansas Post National Memorial, site of the first European settlement west of the Mississippi River in 1686, and the Dale Bumpers White River Refuge with its 160,000 acres of hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Directions

From Dumas, Arkansas, take US-165 north for 9 miles to State Route 212. Head east for 2 miles and follow signs to the park.

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