Arkansas River Recreation System

Experience history at the Arkansas Post National Memorial, where visitors can explore the area much like the pioneers did, while enjoying modern recreational conveniences. The Arkansas Post Field Office manages parks along the Arkansas River from Wilbur D. Mills Lock and Dam to the confluence with the White River and Mississippi River.

Recreation Opportunities

• Boat launching ramps and river access
• Camping areas for travel trailers and motor homes
• Family and group picnic sites
• Trusten Holder Wildlife Management Area
• White River National Wildlife Refuge access
• In-season hunting and fishing opportunities

Lake Dardanelle spreads westward behind Dardanelle Dam into five counties, reaching 50 miles upstream with 315 miles of shoreline. This accessible recreation area offers year-round fishing with no closed season and mild winters.

Featured Parks

Activities

• Fishing: Bass, catfish, white bass, bream, crappie
• Wildlife Viewing: American Bald Eagles (fall-spring)
• Hiking: Bona Dea Trails & Bridge Rock Trail
• Mountain Biking: Old Post Road Park Trail System
• Swimming: Designated beaches with life jacket loans
• Disc Golf: Year-round course at Old Post Road

Ozark Lake covers 10,600 acres with 173 miles of shoreline, extending 36 miles along the Arkansas River through Franklin, Crawford, and Sebastian Counties. The varied shoreline features steep bluffs, tree-lined banks, open farmlands, and level fields.

Campgrounds & Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

• Fishing: World-class sauger fishing below dams
• Hunting: Deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game
• Mountain Biking: Springhill Park trail system
• Camping: Class A parks with full amenities
• Boating: Multiple boat ramps and access points

The Pine Bluff Site Office manages the historic White Bluff area, where the Western Gulf Coastal Plain meets the Mississippi Delta. This natural geographic boundary has been a familiar landmark for river travelers for generations.

Recreation Areas

Activities

• Fishing: 125 river miles - largemouth bass, crappie, bream, catfish
• Catfish Snagging: Popular at Wilbur D. Mills Dam
• Hunting: 10,000+ acres - waterfowl, deer, turkey, small game
• Camping: Full hookup sites with modern amenities
• Group Facilities: Picnic shelters and group areas

Located between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, the pools formed by Toad Suck Ferry, Murray Lock and Dam, and Arthur V. Ormond Lock and Dam stretch 80 miles from Little Rock to Dardanelle, providing excellent boating and fishing with scenic mountain and farmland views.

Recreation Areas

Activities & Features

• Fishing: 19,000 acres - record catfish, bass, crappie, bream
• Photography: Scenic mountain and farmland backdrops
• Camping: Modern facilities with 50-amp service
• Nature Study: Diverse flora and seasonal changes
• Boating: Multiple boat ramps and river access