How much does camping cost at Pendleton Bend?

Camping fees at Pendleton Bend range from $22-$75/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Pendleton Bend first-come first-served or reservation?

Pendleton Bend accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Pendleton Bend before I book?

Yes! Pendleton Bend has 5 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Pendleton Bend?

Pendleton Bend is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Pendleton Bend?

Yes, Pendleton Bend has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Pendleton Bend have?

Pendleton Bend has 31 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Pendleton Bend?

Yes, pets are allowed at Pendleton Bend. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Pendleton Bend?

Pendleton Bend offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Pendleton Bend?

Popular activities at Pendleton Bend include Hiking, Fishing, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Pendleton Bend

Q: Can I have a campfire at Pendleton Bend?

Fire policies at Pendleton Bend: Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

3.94

262 reviews

426 HIGHWAY 212 EAST

Top 10% in ARWinter

Fishing

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

187 ft

Price

$22 - $75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

31 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

187 ft

Price

$22 - $75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

31 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Pendleton Bend

$22.00 - $75.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP PICNIC AREA: $75.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC-138812: $26.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC-74787: $24.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC: $22.00. Plus Recreation.gov...

Group Site Fee$75.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

870-548-2291

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

426 HIGHWAY 212 EAST

Pendleton Bend

426 HIGHWAY 212 EAST

Nearby places

Dumas, AR (11 miles, approximately 15 minutes)

Weather at Pendleton Bend

Current alerts(5)

CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY boats and any other recreational equipment that contacts water. Dispose of unwanted bait, worms, fish parts, or other organisms into the trash and not into the environment. For more information visit https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/rec.
Limited cellular phone service in the Campground and Park areas.
No more than 2 tents per campsite, or 1 camper and 1 tent.
Only wood and paper products may be placed in the fire rings. All trash must be placed in dumpsters and trash cans.

Best Time to Camp at Pendleton Bend

Best season: fall. Fall is the best time to visit Pendleton Bend for comfortable temperatures (daytime highs typically 60–80°F in October and 45–65°F by November), lower humidity, and peak migratory activity along the Mississippi Flyway. Waterfowl numbers swell in late October through January and hardwoods take on muted autumn color, making boating, wildlife viewing, and shore-based photography exceptional. Crowds increase on weekends and during hunting seasons, so midweek visits or reserving a waterfront site in- Peak months: October, November, March, April

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring is a peak season with mild weather and active wildlife/fishing seasons.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Pendleton Bend

Pendleton Bend sits on the Arkansas River's Wilbur D. Mills Pool near Dumas, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a seasonal campground with tent, RV, and group sites. Large, well-spaced sites offer river views and electric and water hookups, drawing anglers, boaters, and fall waterfowl enthusiasts along the Mississippi Flyway. The campground provides showers, flush toilets, a dump station, and fire rings, though maintenance of restrooms has been inconsistent.

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

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall is the best time to visit Pendleton Bend for comfortable temperatures (daytime highs typically 60–80°F in October and 45–65°F by November), lower humidity, and peak migratory activity along the Mississippi Flyway. Waterfowl numbers swell in late October through January and hardwoods take on muted autumn color, making boating, wildlife viewing, and shore-based photography exceptional. Crowds increase on weekends and during hunting seasons, so midweek visits or reserving a waterfront site in- Peak months: October, November, March, April

Elevation187 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies Eastern Arkansas's alluvial bottomland forest at 187 feet elevation, where centuries of river meandering deposited fertile sediment that now supports dense hardwood stands. The Arkansas River flows past camp, its current visible from waterfront sites. This corridor sits on the Mississippi Flyway, drawing concentrations of migratory waterfowl from late October through January. Deer browse the forest edges. Great blue herons work the shallows. The landscape shifts with seasonal water levels, creating wetland pockets when the river runs high.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style accommodations are available on-site.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are explicitly mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

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

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

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.

Best CampsitesWaterfront sites C-1, C-2, and C-3 get consistent praise for river views and generous square footage. Reviewers note the spacing between all sites exceeds most campgrounds. One camper fit a 31-foot bumper pull trailer with a crew cab long bed and still had room left over. Avoid riverside spots if tugboat noise and navigation lights bother you.

Need help booking Pendleton Bend?

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Pendleton Bend Campground offers a comprehensive range of amenities suitable for both short and long stays. The campground features 31 campsites, each equipped with water and electric hookups. Twenty-five of these sites are reservable. The site also has a comfort station with hot showers and flush toilets, a playground, a group picnic shelter that accommodates 75 users, and picnic areas. Notably, each campsite comes with its own pavilion, a BBQ/fire ring combo, and a shelf table. A two-lane boat ramp is available for river access.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

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.

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Fire PolicyDon't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

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

Cell CoverageCell service is limited, as many user reviews mention. One reviewer stated, 'Cell service is very spotty; we had enough to do some streaming but not much else.' Another noted, 'No way to get help if needed due to lack of signal.'

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.9

262 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 262 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 262 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 262 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 262 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 262 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 262 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 262 reviews

Accessibility Features

No detailed reviews focus exclusively on accessibility features.

Based on 262 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 262 reviews

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Campgrounds

Arkansas River - Wilbur D. Mills Pool

Pendleton Bend

About Arkansas River - Wilbur D. Mills Pool

Context for the broader area surrounding Pendleton Bend, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Lock no. 2 is located on the man-made Arkansas Post Canal that connects the Arkansas River with the White River. Wilber D. Mills Dam is located on the main stem of the Arkansas River. Overnight camping is available in Merrisach Lake Park near Lock No. 2, Wilbur D. Mills Park downstream from the dam, and Pendleton Bend Park upstream from the dam. World-class bass and crappie fishing is found in Pool 2. The tailwaters of the dam and Joe Hardin Dam upstream provide excellent opportunities to catch catfish. In the Arkansas area visitors can experience history at the national memorial at Arkansas Post. Here, in 1686, Henri de Tonti established the first village west of the Mississippi River. In 1819 Arkansas Post became the capital of the Arkansas Territory until the Civil War. Parks offer modern amenities such as boat launching ramps, drinking water, camping areas, picnic sites and other facilities for the convenience of all.

Directions

Wilbur D. Mills Dam is about 13 miles north of Dumas. Lock No. 2 is about 47 miles south of Stuttgart.