Pendleton Bend

4.00

336 reviews

426 HIGHWAY 212 EAST

Fishing

Quick Facts

187 ft

Price

$22 - $26/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

31 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

187 ft

Price

$22 - $26/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

31 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Pendleton Bend

$22.00 - $26.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Standard electric sites range from $22 to $26 per night during peak season, with group picnic areas available at $75 per day.

Standard Site Fee$22.00

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

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

870-548-2291

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What Campers Say

4.00

Mixed Reviews

Based on 336 reviews

100 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietpeacefulfriendly

"Pendleton Bend Campground is generally well-received, with an average sentiment rating of 3.857. Visitors appreciate the spacious sites, natural scenery, and variety of activities. However, some raised concerns about maintenance, cellular service, and mosquitoes."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

426 HIGHWAY 212 EAST

Pendleton Bend

426 HIGHWAY 212 EAST

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

The campground is accessible via paved roads. However, user reviews note that Arkansas 212, the final approach road, is rough and narrow, making driving unpleasant, particularly for larger vehicles.

Nearby places

Dumas, AR (11 miles, approximately 15 minutes)

Nearby supplies

Dumas, AR, approximately 11 miles away, hosts grocery stores, fuel stations, and camping supplies.

Best Time to Camp at Pendleton Bend

Experience the gentle rhythm of Arkansas seasons at Pendleton Bend, where nature paints a different masterpiece throughout the year. Summer brings warm, languid days perfect for river activities, though the humidity reminds you of the lush ecosystem surrounding you. As autumn arrives, temperatures mellow into perfect camping weather, while winter offers surprisingly mild conditions that keep the campground accessible year-round. Spring awakens the landscape with moderate temperatures and occasional refreshing rains that nourish the verdant forest canopy.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Good for river activities but summer reviews often mention mosquitoes and high humidity.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Campground busiest in fall; mild weather enhances enjoyment per seasonal notes.

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring is busiest and highly regarded for mild weather and good experiences.

Best

Winter(Dec-Feb)

4.0 / 5

Top 4% in AR

Open year-round; winter reviews note quietness and fewer bugs.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 - December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round; peak season extends from January 1 to December 31.
Current Alerts: No active alerts were mentioned in the source materials.

About Pendleton Bend

Nestled along the winding banks of the mighty Arkansas River, Pendleton Bend Campground beckons outdoor enthusiasts with 31 thoughtfully designed campsites, including three coveted waterfront spots where you can wake to the gentle lapping of river waves. Each site comes equipped with electric and water hookups, ensuring comfort meets wilderness. Beyond your campsite, discover a world of recreation with direct river access via the convenient boat ramp, modern comfort stations, a cheerful playground where children's laughter mingles with birdsong, and scenic picnic areas perfect for sunset gatherings. Wildlife enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise, as the campground serves as a natural theater for observing the region's abundant fauna.

Pendleton Bend Campground offers a mix of camping styles, including tent and RV setups. Sites are leveled and equipped with modern utilities.

Historical SignificanceStep back in time with a visit to the nearby Arkansas Post National Memorial, where the echoes of early American history still resonate through the landscape. This hallowed ground tells the story of one of the first European settlements in the Lower Mississippi Valley, serving as a crucial center of trade, military strategy, and governance that helped shape the American frontier. Your camping adventure becomes a journey through time, connecting you to the explorers, settlers, and Native Americans who first recognized the strategic importance of this river bend.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the gentle rhythm of Arkansas seasons at Pendleton Bend, where nature paints a different masterpiece throughout the year. Summer brings warm, languid days perfect for river activities, though the humidity reminds you of the lush ecosystem surrounding you. As autumn arrives, temperatures mellow into perfect camping weather, while winter offers surprisingly mild conditions that keep the campground accessible year-round. Spring awakens the landscape with moderate temperatures and occasional refreshing rains that nourish the verdant forest canopy.

ElevationThe campground rests at river level, offering an intimate connection with the Arkansas River's natural rhythms and easy access to water-based activities.

Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Eastern Arkansas's alluvial bottomland forest, where ancient hardwoods create a living cathedral overhead and the rich, fertile soil supports an explosion of biodiversity. The Arkansas River serves as your constant companion, its powerful current carrying stories from distant mountains to the sea. This pristine habitat transforms into a birder's paradise during migration seasons, when the sky fills with countless wings and the air resonates with the calls of waterfowl. Lucky visitors might spot deer browsing at forest edges, raccoons fishing along the riverbank, or the majestic silhouette of a great blue heron standing sentinel in the shallows.

Geological RegionPendleton Bend Campground sits within the remarkable alluvial bottomland forest of Eastern Arkansas, specifically in Desha County's river corridor. This geological wonderland was sculpted over millennia by the Arkansas River's meandering path, creating rich deposits of sediment that now support one of North America's most biodiverse ecosystems. The bottomland hardwood forest serves as a crucial stopover on the Mississippi Flyway, attracting spectacular concentrations of migratory birds and making it a premier destination for waterfowl enthusiasts. The interplay between river, forest, and wetland creates a dynamic landscape that changes with the seasons and water levels.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in time not explicitly stated.

Check-out

Check-out time not explicitly stated.

Stay Limit

Maximum stay of 14 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

No more than 2 tents per campsite, or 1 camper and 1 tent.

Groups

The group picnic shelter accommodates up to 75 people and is equipped with picnic tables and BBQ facilities.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThe campground layout includes loops, with spacious sites offering privacy. Waterfront sites are larger but less shaded.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

Walk-in Availability25 of 31 campsites are reservable, meaning only 6 are available on a walk-up basis.

Cancellation PolicyReservation changes can be made in advance without additional fees for adding or removing nights, but entirely new dates incur a $10 change fee. Late cancellations incur a $10 fee and forfeit the first night's recreation use fee.

AccessibilityAccessible flush toilets and showers are available. However, accessibility details are not extensively reviewed.

Site SizeSites are described as large and spacious, with ample room to accommodate various setups. For instance, one review noted, 'We pulled a 31 ft bumper pull with a crew cab long bed and still had enough room.

PrivacySites are well-spaced, offering a good level of privacy. One reviewer highlighted, 'The distance between sites was more than I have seen at any campground.

Total Campsites31 campsites

Recommended SitesAvoid sites near the water if noise from barges and tugs is a concern; choose pull-through sites for larger vehicles.

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Activities you can enjoy

Pendleton Bend Campground supports a variety of recreational activities. Popular pursuits include hiking, fishing, boating, birding, and hunting. The area is particularly renowned for its fishing opportunities, with Pool 2 offering world-class bass and crappie fishing.

HikingHiking is available in the nearby Trusten Holder Wildlife Management Area. Specific trail details are not provided.

FishingThe campground is a hotspot for fishing enthusiasts. Pool 2 and the tailwaters of the dam offer excellent opportunities for catching bass, crappie, and catfish. A reviewer noted, 'Apparently a hot spot for catfishing as we saw several campers bringing in large quantities.'

BoatingThe campground provides a two-lane boat ramp for access to the Arkansas River, making it ideal for boating activities.

Wildlife viewingThe campground is located along a migratory bird track, offering opportunities for birding and wildlife viewing. 'The campground is very active at night with raccoons and all the little critters,' one reviewer noted.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include mosquitoes, grass overgrowth, armadillo holes, feral cats, and limited lighting at night.

Active AlertsNo active alerts were mentioned in the source materials.

Fire PolicyFires are only allowed in designated fire rings. Only wood and paper products may be burned.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are not explicitly stated.

Emergency ServicesEmergency services are available in Dumas, AR, approximately 11 miles away. Services include hospitals and police stations.

Trash & RecyclingTrash disposal facilities are available, and all trash must be placed in dumpsters or trash cans. No detailed recycling information is provided.

Water FeaturesDirect access to the Arkansas River with a boat ramp for fishing and boating activities.

Camp HostHosts are noted for being friendly and helpful, often assisting visitors with local information.

Weather at Pendleton Bend

Reviews

4.0

336 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Pendleton Bend has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Pendleton Bend Campground is generally well-received, with an average sentiment rating of 3.857. Visitors appreciate the spacious sites, natural scenery, and variety of activities. However, some raised concerns about maintenance, cellular service, and mosquitoes.

Review Summaries

Based on 336 reviews

What Campers Love

'The sites are large and well-spaced,' 'Beautiful river views,' and 'The camp hosts and rangers were very friendly' are recurring themes in reviews. Visitors also enjoy the 'quiet and peaceful...

Based on 336 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include 'bathrooms not clean,' 'limited cell service,' and 'grounds not well-maintained.' Mosquitoes and other bugs are also frequent issues.

Based on 336 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors suggest bringing bug spray and arriving during daylight for easier navigation. Some recommend avoiding riverside sites due to tugboat noise and bright lights at night.

Based on 336 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is busiest during spring and fall, with mild weather enhancing the experience. Summer reviews often mention bugs and high humidity, while winter reviews highlight the quietness and...

Based on 336 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The campground is very active at night with raccoons and all the little critters.' 2. 'Definitely will be making this a destination spot!' 3. 'Grass definitely should be mowed; it didn't help...

Based on 336 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Riverside sites (C-1, C-2, and C-3) are praised for their views but noted for occasional tugboat noise and limited space. Pull-through sites are highlighted for their convenience and size.

Based on 336 reviews

Accessibility Features

No detailed reviews focus exclusively on accessibility features.

Based on 336 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Visitors appreciate the campground's pet-friendly policy, although one reviewer noted biting flies made it difficult for their dog to enjoy relaxing outside.

Based on 336 reviews

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